The Writer’s Way – writer’s retreats to (re)discover the joy of Writing.
Welcome to the Writer’s Way
The Writer’s Way provides a perfect setting. It’s a space to (re)connect with your writing practice in deeply meaningful ways.
Step into a peaceful place where creativity, mindfulness, and meaning meet.
Set in a serene, remote location on the Blackall Range in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland, The Writer’s Way retreats welcome writers of all levels, genres, and persuasions, creative, professional, academic.
Here, you’ll explore meditative, contemplative, and reflective practices intended to deepen your connection to yourself as a writer, refine your creative process, and potentially, elevate the quality of your work.
Whether you’re seeking:
A physical escape from the busyness of life,
A psychological reset to clear mental clutter, or
A spiritual retreat to strengthen your sense of purpose,
The Writer’s Way provides a perfect setting. It’s a space to (re)connect with your writing practice in deeply meaningful ways.
Mindfulness, often talked about but rarely fully embraced, is at the heart of The Writer’s Way retreats.
Mindfulness ties together meditation, contemplation, and reflection, grounding every practice in the power of presence.
Whether you’re calming your mind, exploring a creative idea, or reflecting on your work, mindfulness ensures the process is intentional and, potentially, transformative.
Through this integration, you’ll experience a creative flow that moves naturally from meditation to contemplation, and finally, to deep reflection… unlocking new layers of insight and meaning.
Mindfulness as foundation
What you’ll explore
The Writer’s Way retreats offer a harmonious blend of short talks, structured workshops, individual writing time, and mindfulness practices, guiding participants to (re)discover the joy of writing by deepening creative presence and reflective understanding as a writer.
Over three nights and two days, you’ll have the chance to practice in:
Meditation: Learn to “simply sit” in stillness, fostering openness and space for intuitive ideas to emerge.
Contemplation: Try exercises like seeing-drawing-writing, haiku writing, freewriting, and mixed-sensory-based prompts to (re)awaken your creative awareness and approach.
Reflection: Dive into personal narratives and uncover fresh insights about yourself, your surroundings, and your writing.
A feature of The Writer’s Way retreats is that participation in all sessions, including meals, is optional. This is to allow writers the freedom to follow inspiration (and their taste buds) wherever it may lead, whether engaging in activities or dedicating time to personal writing projects inspired by the tranquil settings and surroundings.
The investment in The Writer’s Way retreats varies according to the choice of retreat accommodation.
A special investment rate (retreat accommodation) is offered for two higher degree research students (HDRs) and/or early career researchers (ECRs), who are members of the Australasian Association of Writing Programs
As a guide:
fixed fee per person ranges from $750-$1,000 AUD (GST NA)
includes attendance/participation in all retreat sessions including lunch, dinner and morning and afternoon teas on the two full days of the retreat.
a retreat for one participant/guest
staying in a private room at the monastery (including all meals at the monastery) is an investment of around $1,250 for HDRs / ECRs and $1,350 AUD for other participants.
a retreat for one participant/guest
staying in a private, self-catering ‘pavilion’ at most other accommodation venues (includes breakfast hamper on first morning of stay and lunches and dinners at the monastery for the two full days of the retreat) is an investment of around $1,400 – $1,800 AUD.
Investment
Why join?
Whether you’re searching for peace, inspiration, clarity, or a renewed sense of purpose, The Writer’s Way retreats offer a supportive environment to grow, learn, and create.
By the end, you’ll leave not only with fresh insights and writings but also with tools to sustain your (re)invigorated creative practice long after the retreat ends.
Come join us – on a (re)treat to (re)discover the joy of writing in a way that feels deeply connected and truly your own.
Retreat overview
- Arrival: Afternoon, Day 1
- Program: 2 full days of meditation, contemplative and creative-reflective writing talks, workshops, solo writing time, and yoga.
- Departure: Morning, Day 4.
- Participants: minimum 8, typically 9-12 Writers.
Make a date
We run retreats every quarter, typically at the beginning of March, June, September, and December.
Writer’s Retreat
29 May – 1 June 2025
Retreat venue
All retreat sessions are held at Kammassaka Zen Monastery and Yogic Ashram in Policeman Spur Road, Wootha, on top of the Blackall Range in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland.
Private transport from airports and railway stations is required to the retreat and all accommodation venues, all located along Policeman Spur Road.
Policeman Spur Road is approximately an hours’ drive from the Sunshine Coast airport and about 1.5 hours’ drive from the Brisbane domestic and international airports. The nearest railway station is at Landsborough, about 20 minutes’ drive to Policeman Spur Road.
Other than the retreat venue, all other accommodation venues are within a 10-20-minute walk or 2-3-minute drive of the retreat venue and 10-15-minute drive to Maleny. Except for evenings, a car/driver is available on demand to escort participants to/from their accommodation, the retreat venue, and Maleny as required.
Getting t/here
Meet the facilitators
We are a dedicated team of writers, researchers, scholars, teachers, mentors, coaches, and creative-reflective practitioners united by a shared passion for the transformative power of writing.
With diverse expertise and a deep commitment to fostering creativity, we guide participants in (re)discovering the joy that arises from writing with presence and purpose, focus and flow.
Together, we create a supportive and inspiring environment where your creative voice can flourish, and your writing journey becomes an enriching exploration of self and expression.
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Malcolm Holz DCI PhDMalcolm is a multifaceted creative professional – musician, artist, designer, independent scholar, and founder of The Writer’s Way retreats.
With two doctorates founded in creative-reflective practice and research, including creative writing, Malcolm brings a deep understanding of the interplay between creativity and introspection.
As guest editor and contributor to the special issue of TEXT (The Writer’s Place, 2024), Malcolm recognises the transformative power of retreating to write with presence and purpose, focus and flow.
Drawing from a wealth of teaching, training, mentoring, and creative coaching experience, Malcolm serves as an inspiring facilitator, dedicated to nurturing the creative journeys of fellow writers.
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Peter Moore Dip Teach BA (Hons) DCAPeter is a life-long creative writer, deeply influenced by history. Peter commenced his professional career as a primary school teacher and later spent over 20 years as an actor, where he developed a keen ability to coach actors in self-understanding and authentic performance.
Peter’s expertise as an enquiring and inspiring facilitator is grounded in diverse fields, including hospitality, health, aged care, and construction. This is complemented by his extensive experience as a sessional academic, lecturing and tutoring in creative writing and drama at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Peter’s doctoral thesis presents an experimental methodological template for settler historical fiction, critically engaging with frontier cultural contact between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians while addressing complex questions of representation and cultural sensitivity.
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Wanita Bergann BBus (Dist.)Wanita is a skilled editor, interiors/fashion designer, and dressmaker, with over 25 years’ experience practicing Radiant Light yoga.
As a seasoned small business owner in the fields of fashion, yoga, and hospitality, Wanita combines creative flair with strategic expertise.
Wanita’s deep understanding of business operations brings invaluable insight to the planning, design, administration, and smooth running of The Writer’s Way retreats.
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Anshin RoseZen and Yoga Spiritual Teacher
Anshin Rose is a seasoned yoga practitioner with over 35 years of dedicated experience. As a Yoga Teacher Trainer and Spiritual Teacher in both Yoga and Zen, she has cultivated a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit.
Anshin Rose is the creator of Zen Qiyoga, a unique style that seamlessly integrates Hatha yoga with Zen mindfulness practices.
Anshin Rose’s compassionate and insightful instruction has inspired countless individuals on their spiritual journeys, fostering a community grounded in mindfulness, peace, and self-discovery.
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Fushin Daijo Yin ChaoMaster Teacher in Zen
Fushin Daijo Yin Chao is a renowned spiritual teacher and master within the Zen Buddhist tradition. Known for his deep wisdom and compassionate approach, he has dedicated his life to the practice and teaching of Zen Buddhism.
Fushin Daijo Yin Chao emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, meditation, and the cultivation of inner peace. His teachings often focus on the practical application of Zen principles in daily life, guiding students to awaken to their true nature and live with greater awareness and compassion.
Through his books, lectures, and personal guidance, Fushin has significantly influenced the spiritual journeys of many individuals worldwide.