Daylesford 2026 April Retreat

Our highly anticipated Daylesford retreat began once Louise & I collected our fabulous special guest host, Vikki Speller at Tullamarine airport from the Sunshine Coast, before heading off towards our accommodation - Historic Carrington House.

The road trip itself was full of laughter & excitement as we looked forward to running this weeklong retreat with twelve women all seeking restorative rest & a wholesome good time.

Louise & I have viewed Carrington House the year before & knew it was a perfect space for what we envisioned Branch Out Retreats to be. Watching Vikki walk through the long, wide corridors of the 1890 twelve-bedroom home in awe with joyful tears confirmed that we had made a good choice & that our guests would feel at home and welcomed.

Setting up for the retreat in this gorgeous location was extremely satisfying, & when our guests arrived throughout the week, it was evident with their enthusiastic comments & smiles that they were thrilled with the accommodations & the retreat itself too.

We welcomed our guests with a ceremony of intention, sisterhood, & a safe space to completely be themselves & enjoy the mindful opportunities we had created for them.

Our craft workshops included dream catchers, besom making, & smudge sticks - along with Sip & Paint run by the talented local legend to the Western District, artist jess Fowler.

Our crafting time allowed individuals to self-reflect in a quiet space while they dove into activities that they hadn't experienced before. It was pure joy to hear the conversations around how much the activities were enjoyed & how everyone had created something entirely unique.

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The wonderful aspect of holding our retreat in Daylesford was providing our interstate guests with the opportunity to discover some of the visually breathtaking spots in the area. The main street alone allowed our published guests to have their works featured in several beautiful stores, such as The Empress & Wolf, Cedar & Sage, & the charming Daylesford Convent.

We spent an afternoon at the lavender farm, surrounded by historic buildings, lavender plants, emus, ducks, Highland cows, & stunning views at every turn. This offered the photographers in our group some amazing angles to capture. It truly was a breathtaking opportunity for us all.

Our meals were loving & thoughtfully prepared by Louise with respect to our gluten intolerant guests, & those with hearty appetites. One of our wonderful guests, Raelen Houston, was an early riser & was up every morning baking scones & fruit muffins for everyone to enjoy. An absolute angel.

Participating in sound baths & meditations with Vikki was incredibly rewarding, providing our guests with the opportunity to unwind & explore their current life situations & future intentions regarding relationships, work, & personal goals. These sessions with Vikki were not only relaxing & therapeutic but also enjoyable & enlightening, demonstrating how open-mindedness & a willingness to embrace the broader aspects of self & spirit can significantly influence our lives & unlock new possibilities for a receptive soul.

One of the objectives for Vikki, Louise, and myself was to create a space for healing conversations between mothers & daughters. We were fortunate to have three pairs join us for this retreat. It was a privilege to witness the mending of one of life's most significant bonds; that between mother & child. Love, tears, & laughter emerged through some difficult conversations. We celebrated our ancestry with respect & love to Mother & Grandmother. These moments were truly breathtaking to be a part of & to witness the strength & resilience of women supporting each other's journey.

The week spent together in the picturesque Daylesford went exactly as planned. It was filled with seamless, enriching experiences that fostered mindfulness & flow, enabling everyone to be present for one another & for themselves as individuals.

Branch Out Retreats in Daylesford 2026 - gifted all with a most remarkable, Soul-quenching time. We look forward to doing it all again.

Love always - Your Branch Out Retreats Team.