PlayFest Retreat · 2026
Four days in nature to reconnect, move, and play
PlayFest Retreat
An intimate, skills-based, nature-led movement arts retreat for curious souls to connect and play.
PlayFest weaves embodied practice, movement arts, creative expression, and community collaboration — held in a low-impact, high-resonance environment.
Now returning for its fifth edition, PlayFest continues to evolve as a grounded retreat experience: rooted in nature, guided by the body, and shaped by the people who gather.
2–5 October · Northern Rivers NSW
What is PlayFest?
PlayFest is inspired by a nomadic, village-like way of living — where practitioners, creatives, movers, families, and curious souls come together to share skills, deepen embodiment, and co-create culture.
It is a place to reconnect with our human nature in nature — a place to play.
Here learning happens through movement, sensation, participation, and lived experience — supporting both personal and collective evolution.
PlayFest is part of a growing regenerative wellness network — one that continues beyond the retreat through relationships, collaborations, and shared practice.
Our Intention
To create an intimate, skills-based, nature-led retreat for curious souls to connect and play…
Inspiring embodied expression and community collaboration…
Honouring the land, and nurturing wellbeing.
Our Dream
A movement-arts retreat where curious souls reconnect with nature and play…
Plugging into a growing wellness network of practitioners, creatives, and movers…
A space where connections continue beyond the retreat.
Our Foundations
Harmony
In tune with the land, natural rhythms, and each other.
Play
Rediscovering curiosity, expression, and aliveness.
Embodiment
Learning through the body, sensation and lived experience.
Regeneration
Nurturing connection that continues beyond the retreat.
The Experience
PlayFest is grounded in embodied experiencing rather than theory alone.
You are invited to move, play, explore, witness, and rest — at your own pace.
Participation is invitational, not compulsory.
Throughout the retreat, you may encounter breathwork, martial arts, expressive dance, somatic practices, ritual, fire dancing, live interactive art, aerialists and acrobats, live music, original artists, and creative exploration.
You can expect nourishing catered meals and meaningful conversations.
Professional bodywork and energetic practitioners are available, including ZenThai Shiatsu, Kinesiology, Reiki, and relaxing massage sessions.
Guest facilitators and additional workshops are announced as the program evolves.
No prior experience is required. You are welcome as you are.
Who PlayFest Is For
PlayFest is for curious souls who want to play — movers, creatives, practitioners, facilitators, and humans drawn to embodied experiences, personal growth, co-creation, and meaningful connection.
It’s for people who sometimes wake up at night wondering where all the time has gone, what they’re waking up to each day, and where the fun, passion, and aliveness went. Many are seeking meaningful community, regenerative connections, and a network of people who value collaboration, mutual support, and shared growth.
Above all, PlayFest is for people looking to build a life around what matters — one that feels more connected, creative, purposeful, and aligned with who they truly are.
Children and families are welcome at PlayFest, and we love seeing multiple generations gather in nature together. Parents remain fully responsible for their children at all times. While families are part of the wider community experience, PlayFest’s workshops, programming, facilitation, and visual storytelling are centred on adult embodiment and play, and there are no dedicated children’s activities.
Facilitators
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Jill
Collage Mandala Art & Meditation
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Anna
Breathwork & Elemental Embodiment
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Tashi
Kung Fu, Ancient Wisdom, Exponential Tech & A.I.
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Efrat
Holistic Sexual Wellness
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Naomi
Aerials, Sculptures & Dance
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Sabine
SCI-MAA Somatic Semantics In Movement Awakening Awareness
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Fernando
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Non-Verbal Communication
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Lillian
Contact Improv, Animal Flow & Aerials
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Ali
Somatic Sexology & Embodiment
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Emma
Sanctum of Shen: Zenthai Shiatsu & Kinesiology
Location and Land
PlayFest has moved to the Northern Rivers, on Bundjalung Country in Northern NSW. Hosted at Sēlah Valley Estate, we are just 40 minutes from Gold Coast airport and 50 minutes from Byron Bay.
Surrounded by subtropical rainforest, rolling hills, waterfalls, and rich biodiversity, the land offers a naturally held environment for connection, movement, and rest.
Workshops are held in a state-of-the-art function room with an indoor/outdoor, open, dance space — sheltered from the elements while remaining immersed in nature.
Nourishment
PlayFest Retreat includes nourishing lunches and dinners, locally sourced and thoughtfully catered for our guests throughout the retreat. Shared meals become part of the experience — a simple and supportive way to gather, unwind, and reconnect after a full day of movement, workshops, and activities.
During checkout, please let us know about any allergies or dietary requirements so we can cater to your needs as best as possible.
Please note that breakfast is not included and will be self-catered during the retreat. Complimentary hot beverages will be available throughout your stay.
Practical Details
Accommodation options include camping and limited lodge beds in our creekside cabins. Private room upgrades are also now available.
Facilities include hot showers, toilets, kitchens and state of the art shared gathering spaces.
Optional return airport shuttle transfers from Gold Coast Airport are available for guests who are not driving or arranging their own transport.
Further information, schedules, and shuttle bookings are available via the booking page. Full details, inclusions, accommodation options, and FAQs are available via the booking page.
What people are saying…
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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
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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
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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
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For me, SCI-MAA was one of the highlights of PlayFest Retreat. You can think of it as a conscious movement meditation that helps you to become aware of your thoughts, be more connected to yourself and to the people you dance with. Through dance we learned how to disconnect from our minds, connect to the present moment, and also the importance of letting go. It was a unique spiritual experience that was tribal, revealing, intriguing, and lots of fun! I appreciate Sabine's candid guidance and will be looking forward to doing this again!
Peter
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This is a great one. Beautiful rural venue. Menu of embodied activities - participate when you want and chillax when you don’t. Fully catered with organic food or BYO economy option. Stay in a cabin or your own tent/camper. Recommended.
Stephanie
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For me, PlayFest was about rediscovering myself. It helped me connect with people and my environment in ways I could not appreciate before.
PlayFest Participant
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PlayFest was a thoughtfully curated event that drew on a multitude of artistic expressions and spiritual practice, all of which delivered a multi-sensory experience that left an indelible mark on me.
PlayFest Participant
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The best retreat I have ever been to. Changed my perspective on life. Meeting these beautiful souls and learning from each other was just the best. I feel like I found my tribe :)
PlayFest Participant
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One of the best experiences I have had in Australia. Absolutely amazing, leaving the "real" world and diving into a "supposed to be" world.
PlayFest Participant
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. PlayFest Retreat welcomes all adventurers and explorers and many participants attend on their own. The community is warm, welcoming, and inclusive, and the retreat is designed to support connection while also honouring personal space and boundaries.
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No. All workshops and activities at PlayFest Retreat are invitational. Participants are always welcome to join, pause, observe, or simply witness the arts without taking part. Listening to your body and choosing what feels right for you is fully respected and encouraged.
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Your retreat ticket includes lunches and dinners throughout the retreat. During checkout, please let us know about any allergies or dietary requirements so we can cater to your needs as best as possible.
Please note that breakfast is not included and will be self-catered during the retreat.
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There are 18 beds across three lodges, accommodating 5, 6, and 7 guests respectively. If you're attending with friends or family, you may provide the name(s) of the participant(s) you would like to share with at checkout. We’ll do our best to accommodate requests, subject to availability.
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Yes — a very limited number of private lodge room upgrades are available for guests seeking additional privacy. Private rooms offer exclusive use of your own room within one of our creekside lodges and are subject to availability.
Only a small number have been released, so if this option is important to you, we recommend securing it early.
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Yes, children are welcome when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please note that PlayFest is primarily an adult-focused retreat, and parents remain fully responsible for their children at all times. There are no child-specific workshops or supervision provided.
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Children are welcome to attend PlayFest Retreat at no cost when camping with a parent or guardian. Due to limited capacity, all lodge beds are fully ticketed. If a child requires a bed in a lodge, the full accommodation price applies and there are no child discounts for lodge beds.
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Yes — an optional return airport shuttle service is available between Gold Coast Airport (OOL) and PlayFest Retreat for guests who are not driving or arranging their own transport.
The shuttle departs:
• Friday 2nd October — 12:00pm pickup from Gold Coast Airport (OOL)
• Monday 5th October — 12:00pm departure from Sēlah Valley Estate returning to Gold Coast AirportPlease ensure your flights align with these shuttle times.
The shuttle can be added during checkout and includes both transfers to and from the retreat.
Please note that the shuttle service will run subject to minimum bookings. If minimum numbers are not reached, shuttle tickets will be refunded and we will do our best to help coordinate an alternative shared transport option where possible.
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The venue includes wheelchair-accessible toilets and showers, ramp access to key areas, and accessible pathways. The site is also suitable for prams, with level access across most communal spaces. As with many nature-based venues, some outdoor areas may include uneven ground and limited access but overall the site is designed to be welcoming and accessible. If you have specific accessibility needs, please get in touch before booking so we can support you as best as possible.
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We understand that circumstances can change. However, due to the nature and logistics of this event, all tickets are non-refundable, as significant costs are committed well in advance.
If you’re unable to attend, you’re welcome to resell or transfer your ticket to someone else. Please note that ticket resales and transfers are the responsibility of the ticket holder and are available until 2:00pm, 28th September 2026 due to event admin & logistics.