Need to reignite your love of your writing?
Retreat with Meg
Find out how Creativity Coach Meg creates the perfect atmosphere for you to immerse yourself in your writing
What is Retreat with Meg?
For writers seeking time and space for their writing, Retreat with Meg offers the perfect blend of structure and creative freedom. Nestled beside the majestic Kinglake National Park, Retreat with Meg provides everything you need to make extraordinary progress on your writing project.
Whether you're drafting your first chapters or polishing your final manuscript, our carefully crafted environment eliminates distractions and nurtures your creativity through:
Peaceful private accommodation with dedicated writing spaces
Fully catered, delicious meals prepared with fresh and nutritious ingredients
Optional daily workshops designed to deepen your project
One-on-one coaching from a qualified creativity and mindset coach
A supportive community of fellow writers on similar journeys
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. 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. I highly recommend Retreat with Meg.
– Melissa Manning, Established Author
Find your supportive writing community
Upcoming writing retreats
Who is Retreat with Meg for?
Retreat with Meg welcomes writers at all stages of their journey
Hobby Writers
You like writing stories in notebooks or in the computer. You don't know what these stories will be, but you're having fun. You may not know any other writers, or where you might submit your writing, but it's been a life long passion to write. Maybe you don't want anyone else to read your writing, but you've discovered that writing can be a deeply joyful and therapeutic activity. If you just had the time...
Early Stage Writers
You're just starting out. You haven’t done much writing or attended many workshops. You've probably thought about it, a lot, and may have done some reading up on how to write and on what you're trying to write. You might have sent some pieces of writing off to competitions or publishers, but so far have not been listed for any award or have been published.
Emerging Writers
You've done a fair amount of writing and have read some books on writing. You might have attended writing workshops before and might be currently studying or might have studied writing at a university or TAFE. You most likely have had some short pieces published or been listed for some awards. You might have a contract for a book or have an agent.
Established Authors
You've had a full length book of fiction, short fiction or non-fiction published by a mainstream publisher. You are familiar with the publishing industry. You may have a contract for another book (or not, and that may be causing some angst). You would love to be even better at the craft, more well known or more published.
Is Retreat with Meg your missing chapter? 
Your Retreat with Meg experience
Your time at Retreat with Meg is nurtured
Private accommodation
Your private bedroom becomes your creative sanctuary, complete with a dedicated writing desk positioned to inspire. Premium linens, thoughtful amenities, and bushland views create the perfect environment for your creativity to flourish. Private ensuites and kitchenettes allow your quiet focus.
Delicious, nourishing meals
Fuel your creativity with freshly prepared, gourmet meals. Most dietary requirements are catered for with care. No shopping, cooking, or cleaning; just more time and energy for your writing.
Daily workshops (optional)
Each day features a one-hour carefully crafted workshop designed to deepen your project and your connection to it. From character development to narrative structure, these sessions provide practical tools you can immediately apply to your work.
Community connection
Share your journey with like-minded writers who understand your challenges and celebrate your breakthroughs. Many retreaters form lasting creative friendships that continue long after the retreat ends.
One-on-one coaching
Your included personal coaching session with a qualified creativity and mindset coach addresses your specific challenges and unlocks new possibilities in your writing. Many participants describe this session as a turning point in their project.
Balanced schedule
Our thoughtfully designed daily structure provides the perfect balance between guided activities and personal writing time. You'll experience both the benefit of structure and the freedom to follow your creative flow.
A typical day at Retreat with Meg
Loads of time to immerse in your writing
(reading, napping, walking and thinking are also writing)
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
- Gather for drinks and nibbles on the deck or inside to celebrate the day's progress
- Continue the conversation over a fresh and nutritious dinner
- Participate in evening readings around the fire
- End the day with reflection and setting gentle intentions for tomorrow's writing
Praise and Testimonials
Huge gratitude, Meg!
I was amazed at what I could achieve in four days on this retreat and credit for this has to go to Meg for providing such a nourishing environment. I had modest hopes of mapping out some of my novel’s structure and returned with a pretty extensive story map and a strong sense of purpose for how I will take my writing journey along this path. No coincidence that I developed new skills in managing my writing self-doubt which I believe freed me up.
Sue White, Author
A much needed experience I didn’t know I needed
The retreat provided atmosphere, privacy, sacred space and relaxation that helped me capture the words as they unravelled into story. The conversation and connection with other writers was heart-held and inspiring. I set an intention to trust myself as a writer and to own my style – all of which I achieved with Meg’s coaching and guidance. Meg created a space where there was room for everything and all of it.
I will be back again.
Annabelle Sharman, Author
I enjoyed every minute at Retreat with Meg
As a writer new to the world of retreats, it’s hard to quantify how much I’ve gained from the Retreat. 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 at the Retreat and will definitely be booking another Retreat with Meg soon!
Claire McClelland, Emerging Writer
It was a bit like magic
I signed up for my Retreat with Meg because I wanted to reignite my joy in writing. By the morning of Day 3 I'd fallen in love with my story again. But maybe not magic. I realised the whole experience was carefully considered – the workshops, the one-one-one sessions, the communal times for talking and sharing, the lovely venue and the (fabulous) catering – everything worked together to create a safe, warm, creative space.
Susan Green, Award winning author
Retreat with Meg (Kinglake, Victoria)
Your creative sanctuary
Karma Kinglake offers the perfect backdrop for your writing. The venue is nestled next to Kinglake National Park. You'll have a space of your own (think wood fire, couch, kitchenette, table and chairs and private bathroom) as well as a communal space to meet other writers.
Kinglake is a short drive from Melbourne and is service by public transport.
Nature and tranquility at your door
Is Retreat with Meg is the next step for your writing
Join the comprehensive one-hour information session to learn everything about Retreat with Meg, including:
- Detailed overview of the retreat experience and daily schedule
- Explanation of workshop topics and coaching approaches
- Answers to all your specific questions
- Special pricing for information session attendees
FAQ
Retreat with Meg welcomes writers at all stages – from those just beginning their first draft to established authors polishing final manuscripts. The retreat meets you where your needs are.
While many participants bring ongoing projects, others use the retreat to begin something new. Either approach works beautifully within the retreat structure.
Some established authors use the retreat to complete copyedits, proofread or map out new stories.
We welcome all genres – fiction, memoir, poetry, non-fiction, and more. The workshops are adaptable to support your specific project.
We limit each retreat to six participants to ensure personalised attention. This helps create an intimate community while maintaining plenty of private space.
We pride ourselves on accommodating most dietary needs with delicious, thoughtful meals. Just let us know your requirements when booking.
Absolutely! While writing is the focus, the schedule includes free time to rest, walk in the forest, or explore nearby Daylesford if you wish. You are encouraged to listen to the rhythm of your body and mind.
Your retreat host, Meg Dunley
Creativity Coach, Writer and Editor
Meg is a creativity coach, writer, editor and amateur artist. Meg has worked with writers and artists for over ten years and knows what it takes to make time for creativity and how to go into it with a joyful and playful heart.
Meg’s retreats and writing workshops are much loved by many writers who find them a safe space to write and talk things over. One of Meg’s values is to ensure others feel safe.
Creatively, Meg plays with words, art in its various forms, knitting and crochet, gardening and improvisation classes. Meg likes to keep play is at the centre of what she does because we all need play, especially as adults.
Nature is deeply important to Meg and she is often found in her garden listening to the birds and trying to get the most out of her small patch of inner-city dirt. Time out is hopping in her old Landcruiser and taking the tent to find a place where the dirt is red, the sky is wide and all she can hear are the birds and the trees. She lives in Naarm (Melbourne) with her husband, two of her three adult sons.
Would you rather a one-on-one chat with Meg?
Your writing deserves this 
The manuscript you've been dreaming of completing is waiting for the perfect conditions to flourish.
Give yourself the gift of dedicated time, expert guidance, and supportive community in a luxury environment designed for creative breakthrough.