Nurturing hearts. Restoring energy.
Retreats, workshops and events
Find a gentle experience that meets you where you are. Set on six secluded acres in Port Stephens, NSW, our not-for-profit sanctuary runs small-group retreats and workshops designed for rest, reflection and supportive connection. No pressure. No expectation. Just a calm place to pause.
What these weekends feel like
Calm, supportive and unhurried
Every retreat and workshop is held in a safe, supportive environment where you can slow down and begin to feel like yourself again. Stays include nourishing meals, time in nature, and the privacy that comes with welcoming a small group at any one time.
We are a registered Australian charity offering restorative experiences for women who need space to rest, reflect and reconnect. We are not a clinical service or crisis refuge, and we don’t try to be. Instead, we offer a nurturing environment where women can find calm and the freedom to simply be.
Nourishing meals are included, with the option to eat privately or with others. Small groups keep the pace gentle and unhurried, and you’ll find warm, human communication at every step.
Retreats, workshops and events
Upcoming dates
We intentionally keep our workshops small to create a supportive and nurturing experience. As a result, workshops require a minimum number of bookings to proceed. If we don’t reach those numbers, we’ll contact you as early as possible to discuss alternative options, including another workshop, a personal stay, or a full refund.
Small groups and personal space
Our retreats welcome a small number of women at any one time. The calm pace and unhurried environment mean you have room to breathe and step away whenever you need to.
Meals included, flexible dining
Nourishing meals are included in every stay. You can eat with the group or privately, depending on how you feel on the day. Nothing about dining is compulsory or structured.
Warm, human communication
From your first enquiry through to the end of your stay, our communication is gentle and honest, without pressure or hype. You’ll always know what to expect and what comes next.
Lightly guided sessions
Retreats balance unstructured rest with optional guided sessions. You choose how much you join in and when to step back. Nothing is compulsory and nothing is performative.
Who this supports
Women who need space to breathe again
These experiences are designed for women seeking rest, reflection or supportive connection during demanding seasons. Many guests arrive feeling emotionally tired or stretched thin, and simply want a calm, safe place to pause.
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You don’t need to know what you need. Our tone and environment are intentionally gentle so you can move at your own pace from the moment you enquire.
Emotional safety
Supportive, not clinical
Women’s Healing Sanctuary exists to provide a calm, emotionally safe space where you can pause, rest and reconnect. We don’t promise cures or breakthroughs. We offer a nurturing environment where privacy is respected and you can move at a pace that feels right for you.
We are not a crisis or emergency service. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent support, please call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. Our purpose is to create the conditions where rest and gentle recovery are possible, in your own time.
Good to know
What is included in a weekend?
All retreats include accommodation and nourishing meals. You can choose to eat privately or with others, and rest as much as you need. Nothing is structured or compulsory.
How many women attend?
Most workshops are limited to around seven women. Keeping numbers low helps preserve the peaceful atmosphere and allows each woman to move at her own pace, without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
Do workshops require a minimum number of participants?
Is this a clinical or crisis service?
Where are you located?
We are in Port Stephens, NSW, on six secluded acres surrounded by nature. The setting is quiet, private and deliberately removed from the pressures of daily life.
I'm not sure what I need. Is that okay?
Yes. Many women arrive unsure of what they need. Our approach is gentle and non-directive, so you can move at your own pace from the moment you get in touch.