PlayFest 

Movement Arts Retreat

 

3rd - 7th October 2024

 

What is PlayFest Retreat?

A community collaborative, organically catered, skills-based retreat, focusing on play for our personal, sensual, social, and professional development. Bringing you Contact Improvisation Dance, Martial Arts, Breathwork, Sexology, Flow Toys, Yoga, Science, Technology, Ancient Wisdom and more!

The intention is to be mindfully embodied. Harnessing the power of each breath in alignment with the movement of our body and at ease with our mind.

Relax a little, play a lot, share sacred knowledge, connect with nature, embrace exponential technologies, learn more about bio-hacking, or book yourself a massage.

Take the opportunity to sing, dance, feel, and free yourself in a beautifully lush Australian bush land.

Our workshops are held from sunrise to sunset, led by a multitude of professional dancers, athletes, therapists, and coaches from around the world.

No one is too young or too old, PlayFest Retreat is for all.

Together we invite you to take 5 transformative days to connect with the community. Share skills, heighten your senses, enhance healthy development, witness the beauty and art form of body movement in flow. 

Come feel what it is to be embodied and find your flow within nature. There are no to-do’s, there is just be.

Core Facilitators

  • Jill

    Collage Mandala Art & Meditation

  • Anna

    Breathwork & Elemental Embodiment

  • Efrat

    Holistic Sexual Wellness

  • Tashi

    Martial Arts, Exponential Tech & A.I.

  • Naomi

    Aerials, Sculptures & Dance

  • Sabine

    SCI-MAA Ceremonial Dance, Linguistics & Trance

  • Lillian

    Contact Improv, Animal Flow & Aerials

  • Ali

    Somatic Sexology & Embodiment

  • Ayham

    Storytelling & Real Conversations

Read More About Your Facilitators

Location and Information

 

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we live, work, and create. We pay our respects to elders past, present, and emerging. And we acknowledge You, the co-creators of this collective dream we live.

Located 75km from Sydney CBD, Wisemans Ferry is on Dharug and Darkinjung country by the Hawkesbury River.

Set in a picturesque native Australian bush scene, the venue boasts wide open space, massive sheltering trees, and a tidal creek with fresh water access. Workshops are held in a large undercover dance space where you will be sheltered from the elements, yet able to enjoy fresh air and beautiful views of nature. Fire pits are conveniently located throughout the site so you can sing, dance, and enjoy live music well into the evenings. 

Mobile phone reception is minimal and not available throughout most of the property.

 
 

Catering Nourishment

Your health and that of the planet is something we really value. We are delighted to have the talented Chef Micol, founder of Pasta & Plants, to nourish us with organic soulful foods that maintain high vibes. 


“Good for your health, the animals and mama earth. Micol is a creative and caring wholefoods plant-based chef. Her passion extends to a strong belief that food is medicine and a way of preventing most illnesses. Micol’s culinary creations are mainly inspired by ancient Italian and Mediterranean culture. Her mission is to showcase how easy it is to opt for a plant-based lifestyle without compromising on taste. Because conscious choices start indeed from our plates and the energies we decide to feed ourselves with.”

At PlayFest Retreat, we provide buffet style dinners on the days workshops are held (Friday-Sunday inclusive). Please bring your own reusable cutlery, crockery, and cups.

Thursday night arrivals, we share a potluck dinner so you can bring something to contribute.

Please remember to pack your breakfast and lunch snacks as you prefer, and your camp cooking appliances.

Meal sharing and camper-vans are common so if you do not have camp cooking facilities you can bring something to share with your neighbours and cook together.

Gluten free options are available and all the catered food is nut-free.

If you require cooking facilities please ensure you bring a portable stove or camp oven with you. No guests are allowed access to the chef’s commercial kitchen due to health and safety.

Accommodation & Amenities

 

The cabins are permanent structures featuring basic bunk style arrangements with mattresses. Guests need to bring pillows and linens. You are encouraged to create your space for comfort so bring extra blankets and cushions to feel at home.

Electrical power outlets, light, and air conditioning is available in the cabins. Each unit sleeps 4-8 adults. Many guests sleep in camper vans and tents for their own privacy. You have the option to choose.

The cabins are first come, first served. No reservations. Please remember to bring your linens and towels.

Toilets, hot showers, and fresh drinking rainwater is available on site.

Please note this is a LEAVE NO TRACE venue and no glass is allowed.

There are no council pick-ups for trash so please take all you brought in back out with you.

Unfortunately NO PETS allowed as there are resident dogs on the property and this is a strict request from the owner.

 What to bring

 

  • Your proof of purchase - name & email used at checkout. This will be checked at the gate so please ensure your details match.

  • Yoga mat

  • Reusable drinking water bottle (fresh drinking rainwater is available on site)

  • BYO reusable cutlery, crockery, & cups

  • Cash for Bodywork & additional Vendor Services available. There’s no phone signal.

  • Biodegradable sunscreen & insect repellent

  • Swimming attire & towels

  • Portable cooking appliances if you require heating for your breakfast/lunch.

  • Tent, swag, or camper-van if you want private accommodation. Alternatively shared cabin beds are available with A/C but you must bring linens.

  • Clothing you can dance/ move comfortably in - Costumes are always welcome!

  • Musical instruments

  • Flow toys e.g. contact staffs, poi, hula hoops, dragon staffs, juggling balls, etc. 

  • Hats, Footwear, Night Torch

  • Slack lines & Hammocks

  • Warm jackets & trousers for the nights

  • An open heart, mind, and your beautiful smile

Additional Highlights

  • Professional Bodywork and Energetics, including Zenthai Shiatsu, Reiki, Relaxing Massage sessions on offer.

  • Guest Facilitators and more workshops to be announced

  • Fire Dancing and Live Interactive Art

  • Cacao and breakfast delights to boost your energy

  • Aerialists and Acrobats

  • Live Music & Original Artists

  • Shibari Artistry

  • Sacred Tattoo Ritual

 PlayFest Retreat Ticket | $555

RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW (click here)

Accommodation, Dinner, and Workshops are included. 

See what people are saying…

  • I went to Playfest with no idea of what I was walking into. I didn’t know anyone. It was a truly amazing and magical experience. The workshops were diverse, fun, and interesting. I met some wonderful people and new friends. If you are an open-minded individual looking to learn, grow, connect, and above all play I highly recommend Playfest.

    Felicity

  • I wanted to thank you for your pioneering spirit. You’ve created something really special. Thank you so much for following your passion and putting playfest together. Coming by myself I felt instantly comfortable, everything felt easy, safe and respectful. Your event stood out to me as a must do bucket list item. I would recommend your event to others 💯..I have made mates for life. I felt so empowered when I left the space. It’s had a really positive impact on me. I can achieve anything I want, I am supported, I am free. How nice it is to walk around as a female in the dark, alone and feel completely safe. So much love.

    Lauren

  • Leaving playfest, I feel calm, joy, gratitude and inspired. A calmness from grounding myself in nature, and disconnecting from day to day lists and routines. A much needed pause, and reconnect. Joy, from all the play, creativity and movement! Gratitude for the land that held us, the facilitators, and all the beautiful people I connected with and shared this experience with. Inspired to call in more play into my everyday, inspired to soften into each moment and welcome it with curiosity. Thank you playfest!

    Jasmine

  • For me, Playfest was about rediscovering myself. It helped me connect with people and my environment in ways I could not appreciate before.

    Anonymous PlayFest Participant

  • This is a great one. Beautiful rural venue. Menu of embodied activities- participate when you want and chillax when you don’t. Fully centered with organic food or BYO economy option. Stay in a cabin or your own tent/camper. Recommended.

    Stephanie