Retreat with Me
Give your writing the time it needs
Join me for a transformative four-day writing retreat designed to provide you with the ideal environment to nurture your creativity, focus on your writing project, and connect with a community of like-minded writers. This intimate retreat offers a supportive and calm atmosphere where you can retreat from the world and immerse yourself in your craft.
I had high expectations for this retreat, and it was so much more than I’d hoped. Meg thought of everything. From planning to execution, it was relaxing, productive, interesting, inclusive and affirming. An easy drive from Melbourne, with the bush at our doorstep we retreated to our beautiful rooms to write; came together in workshops (indoor and outdoor), to eat (amazing food prepared by Meg), and relax by the fire to talk writing and life. The dedicated time, with Meg as host and workshop leader was a privilege. It allowed me to reconnect with my writing practice and my work in progress. The other participants were such smart, warm, interested and talented people – I feel very lucky to have shared the time with them. I’m looking forward to returning next year. I highly recommend a retreat with Meg.
– Melissa Manning, Author of Smokehouse, Winner of 2022 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award
The details
When
How to get there
How much
How many participants
The venue
My services
Your days at Retreat with Me
Catering
Creating respectful spaces
Register your interest
Share Retreat with Me
Testimonials & feedback
Upcoming events

I’ve been on many writing retreats with Meg Dunley and plan to go on many more. She understands writers need time and space to write but also, encouragement and connection. Meg’s convened groups and coached writers across many years. She’s not only insightful and smart, she’s funny and fun and warm and the spaces she creates for writers are all of those things too. You will finish this retreat with words but also with writing friends.
– Katherine Collette, Podcaster at The First Time, Author of The Helpline and The Competition
If you’re looking for a quiet, nourishing place and time to get your writing or creative work done, can highly recommend this upcoming retreat with my wonderful friend – writer, coach & chief carer & organiser – Meg Dunley. Over the last seven years, Meg has been responsible for booking & organising our self-led writing retreats in the gorgeous surrounds of Musk Farm. As a writer, she knows first hand the value of quiet, validated space & time to work away from other life obligations, and as a coach & logistically minded human, she preempts challenges, asks timely questions & listens with compassion.
– Kate Mildenhall, Podcaster at The First Time, Author of Skylarking, The Mother Fault & The Hummingbird Effect
The details
When
How to get there
Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation but there are other options if you are unable to.
How much
The four-day, fully catered retreat cost of $975 includes an optional one hour goal setting and/or mentoring session with me.
How many participants
To ensure a comfortable experience, the retreat is limited to a maximum of five writers. This allows participants their own room.
The venue
Located a scenic ninety-minute drive from Melbourne, Retreat with Me is nestled next to the tranquil Wombat State Forest and a short distance from Daylesford. You’ll have a private bedroom with luxurious bedding, allowing you to find solace and inspiration. The venue features common areas such as a cosy lounge room with a woodfire, a spacious wooden table, and three comfortable seating areas. There are also two shared bathrooms, a laundry area, and multiple outdoor spaces where you can relax and observe the gorgeous gardens. The serene surroundings and occasional visits from nearby animals will help you unwind and find inspiration
My services
At the start of the retreat, we’ll gather as a group for an intention-setting workshop that I will facilitate. On the first day, we’ll have a casual get-together in the late afternoon to acquaint ourselves and allow for arrivals. I will provide you with a Creativity Pack on to help explore your project on a deeper level.
Throughout the retreat, I will provide guidance, support, and encouragement to help you make the most of your writing experience. I will run workshops to help you to understand more about your creativity and your creative project. Each evening before dinner, I will facilitate discussions about the group’s writing progress and set intentions for the following day. I will provide a selection of books aimed at aiding you at any stage of your creative project.
Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to book a one-hour, one-on-one coaching session with me.
As we conclude our time together, I will run a workshop to reflect on your achievements and set intentions for continuing your writing projects beyond the retreat.
Your days at Retreat with Me
Your retreat experience is for you to tailor to your unique needs and writing project. You have the freedom to structure your day in a way that suits your natural working style. There will be creativity We will meet for a communal dinner from 6:00 pm and all other meals are self serve to allow for uninterrupted work flow. This gives you the flexibility to focus on your writing or take breaks and explore the nearby forest, natural springs, or the town of Daylesford, where you can indulge in activities like massages or other treats.
Catering
Throughout the retreat, you’ll be treated to fully catered dinners, including drinks and cheese on the first night. Pantry items such as fruit, oats, muesli, bread, spreads and yoghurt will be available for participants to prepare their own breakfast and lunch as well as warming soups and fresh salads. Tea and coffee will be provided. You are welcome to bring any additional food or drink you may wish to have while at the retreat.
If you have any dietary requirements, please ensure you let me know.
Creating respectful spaces
To foster a harmonious environment, I ask all participants to respect one another’s privacy and maintain quiet throughout the retreat. This includes refraining from sharing information about fellow writers and their projects outside the retreat, respecting personal boundaries by not entering others’ rooms, minimising noise in common areas (except during designated evening periods), and cleaning up after oneself in shared spaces. Additionally, tidying up your room before departure is expected. These guidelines ensure a respectful and focused atmosphere for everyone.
Register your interest
Share Retreat with Me
Testimonials and feedback
As a writer new to the world of retreats, it’s hard to quantify how much I’ve gained from the three days I spent with Meg and our merry band of retreaters. It was a blessing to have the time to write in such idyllic surrounds while being nurtured with a steady supply of sustenance. I enjoyed every minute and will definitely be booking another Retreat with Meg soon!
– Claire McClelland, Emerging Writer
I had high expectations for this retreat, and it was so much more than I’d hoped. Meg thought of everything. From planning to execution, it was relaxing, productive, interesting, inclusive and affirming. An easy drive from Melbourne, with the bush at our doorstep we retreated to our beautiful rooms to write; came together in workshops (indoor and outdoor), to eat (amazing food prepared by Meg), and relax by the fire to talk writing and life. The dedicated time, with Meg as host and workshop leader was a privilege. It allowed me to reconnect with my writing practice and my work in progress. The other participants were such smart, warm, interested and talented people – I feel very lucky to have shared the time with them. I’m looking forward to returning next year. I highly recommend a retreat with Meg.
– Melissa Manning, Author of Smokehouse, Winner of 2022 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award
A truly enabling weekend.
– Katrina Watson, Author of The Bones
Meg’s been organising our writing retreats for years and it has never ceased to amaze me how she makes it all come together so seamlessly. The retreat’s structure and setting facilitate immersive concentration I simply couldn’t get even if I were home alone. Meg’s insights on the work are deep, offering fresh points to explore. I leap at the opportunity to be involved in anything she offers and am forever grateful to be involved with such a generous soul!
– Nicky Heaney, Writer and Editor
When I think about the writing retreats I’ve done with Meg, the first word that springs to mind is trust. Not only to hold space for the writing, and for me as a creative, but perhaps more importantly, genuine understanding and support for the world outside writing. We take time away from our families, our lives, when we write, you can absolutely trust Meg to be dependable and have your back during this time
– Kim Hood, Writer and Editor
I’ve been on many writing retreats with Meg Dunley and plan to go on many more. She understands writers need time and space to write but also, encouragement and connection. Meg’s convened groups and coached writers across many years. She’s not only insightful and smart, she’s funny and fun and warm and the spaces she creates for writers are all of those things too. You will finish this retreat with words but also with writing friends.
– Katherine Collette, Podcaster at The First Time & Author of The Helpline and The Competition
If you’re looking for a quiet, nourishing place and time to get your writing or creative work done, can highly recommend this upcoming retreat with my wonderful friend – writer, coach & chief carer & organiser – Meg Dunley. Over the last seven years, Meg has been responsible for booking & organising our self-led writing retreats in the gorgeous surrounds of Musk Farm. As a writer, she knows first hand the value of quiet, validated space & time to work away from other life obligations, and as a coach & logistically minded human, she preempts challenges, asks timely questions & listens with compassion.
– Kate Mildenhall, Podcaster at The First Time & Author of Skylarking, The Mother Fault and The Hummingbird Effect
Upcoming events
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