Nature Retreats
A cottage in the Otways surrounded by ferns, a lodge beside the Goulburn River, a quiet stay deep in the Grampians. Time away from everything, where birdsong replaces traffic and trees fill the view.
What this looks like
A nature retreat is about slowing down. You stay somewhere surrounded by bushland, water, or open sky, and the days are shaped by the place. Morning walks through tall trees, afternoons by the river, evenings watching the stars come out from the deck.
Your support worker finds the right retreat based on what calms you and what you enjoy in nature. Some people want gentle walks and wildlife spotting. Others want to sit on the deck and read. Some want both. The retreat moves at whatever pace leaves you feeling rested.
Victoria has some of the most beautiful natural settings in Australia, from the rainforests of the Otways to the rocky peaks of the Grampians. These retreats take you into those places with a support worker who handles the details.
Experience info
- 2-5 night stays in nature settings
- 3:1 support worker throughout
- Warm layers and comfortable walking shoes
- NDIS Short Term Accommodation funded
What we include
Every nature retreat is planned around your comfort and supported from door to door.
Secluded accommodation
We book cottages, cabins, and lodges in quiet natural settings. They have space, privacy and views. Your support worker checks everything is set up before you arrive. You step out of the car and the first thing you notice is the silence. The cottage sits between two massive gum trees, and through the window you can see the valley stretching out below.
Guided nature walks
Your support worker researches walking trails that match your fitness and interests. Short loops through fern gullies, longer trails through national parks, or flat riverside paths. The trail winds through towering mountain ash trees and the light filters through the canopy in green shafts. You stop at a wooden bridge over a creek and watch the water tumble over smooth rocks.
Wildlife & birdwatching
Victoria's bushland is full of wildlife. Your support worker knows the best spots and times for seeing kangaroos, wombats, echidnas, and native birds around each retreat location. Just before sunset, three kangaroos hop across the clearing behind the cottage. You watch from the deck with a cup of tea in your hands, and your support worker points out a joey peeking from its mother's pouch.
Home-Cooked meals
Your support worker shops for groceries before the trip and cooks meals in the cottage kitchen. Warm soups, roast dinners, fresh salads. It's cold outside and the kitchen is warm. Your support worker is making pumpkin soup from scratch. The smell fills the cottage and you set the table by the window overlooking the bush.
Quiet time & rest
Nature retreats are designed for rest. If you want to spend an entire afternoon reading on the deck or napping by the fire, that's a full day's plan. It's 2pm and you're stretched out on the couch with a blanket and your book. The fire is crackling. Your support worker is in the next room. There's nowhere to be and nothing to rush for.
Stargazing & evening calm
Away from city lights, the night sky is full of stars. Your support worker brings blankets and sets up chairs outside after dinner for stargazing. You're wrapped in a blanket on the deck, head tilted back. The Milky Way stretches across the sky in a way you've never seen from Melbourne. Your support worker points out the Southern Cross.
A retreat, start to finish.
You step out of the car and the first thing you notice is the silence. The cottage sits between two massive gum trees, and through the window you can see the valley stretching out below. The trail winds through towering mountain ash trees and the light filters through the canopy in green shafts. You stop at a wooden bridge over a creek and watch the water tumble over smooth rocks. Just before sunset, three kangaroos hop across the clearing behind the cottage. You watch from the deck with a cup of tea in your hands, and your support worker points out a joey peeking from its mother's pouch. It's cold outside and the kitchen is warm. Your support worker is making pumpkin soup from scratch. The smell fills the cottage and you set the table by the window overlooking the bush. It's 2pm and you're stretched out on the couch with a blanket and your book. The fire is crackling. Your support worker is in the next room. There's nowhere to be and nothing to rush for. You're wrapped in a blanket on the deck, head tilted back. The Milky Way stretches across the sky in a way you've never seen from Melbourne. Your support worker points out the Southern Cross.
Who this is for
- People who find peace in natural settings and quiet surroundings
- Anyone who enjoys bushwalks, wildlife, and being outdoors
- People who need a break from noise and daily routines
- Those who feel calmer in nature
- Anyone who has always wanted to visit Victoria's national parks
- People who want to try several nights away from home
Ready to experience this?
Tell us what kind of nature setting you love and we'll find the right retreat for you.
Get StartedCost, eligibility & getting started
Nature retreats are funded through Short Term Accommodation, with fee-for-service as the alternative.
What it costs
Nature retreats are priced under NDIS Short Term Accommodation, in line with the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. The amount depends on the type of support and whether the stay falls on a weekday, evening, weekend or overnight. If a relevant category isn't in your plan, fee-for-service is available. The full cost is always confirmed with you in writing before you go.
Am I eligible?
A nature retreat can usually be funded through Short Term Accommodation (STA) if it's in your plan, commonly used for up to 28 days a year. A support coordinator can help you check what's available, and fee-for-service is an option if you don't currently have a plan.
Where we work
We're based in Thomastown and run nature retreats across regional Victoria, including the Otways, the Grampians and along the Goulburn River, as well as bushland closer to Melbourne. Because these are overnight stays, we can take you further into the state than a day trip would allow.
How to start
Tell us where in nature you feel most at home. We'll take you there.
Call us to plan a few nights away.
Tell us where in nature you feel most at home. We'll take you there.
Call (03) 9968 7766