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Escape to Noonaweena
Thursday 3 December - Sunday 6 December
Our summer edition is a sun-soaked escape for readers and writers, with a playful girls’ weekend feel. Set amongst the beautiful surrounds of Noonaweena, expect poolside afternoons, books and writing time, summer drinks, good food and balmy evenings outside. Choose the Reader or Writer experience, then spend the weekend exactly as you like — reading, writing, swimming, creating, socialising or simply switching off from everyday life.
Your weekend, your way.
What's Included
Everything you need for a few days of reading, writing, relaxing and connecting is taken care of. All you need to do is arrive, unpack and decide how you’d like to spend your time.
Your Stay
Three nights accommodation at Noonaweena, with your chosen room type and a private ensuite in every bedroom.​
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Retreat Activities
From yoga, crafts, games and trivia to our book swap and pool party, plus plenty of time to explore the bush tracks or make use of the pools, spa and sauna.
All Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, with unlimited snacks, sweet treats and little extras throughout the weekend.
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Welcome Goodie Bag
A curated retreat goodie bag filled with books and treats from our publishing and brand partners.
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Included Drinks
Welcome drinks, Wine Hour, a two-hour bottomless wine experience and a pool party cocktail, with non-alcoholic options throughout.
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WRITING RETREAT
A dedicated space to actually get some writing done.
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Stay in Gymea House with Courtney Peppernell and a small group of fellow writers, with plenty of time and space to work on whatever you’re creating.
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Included for writers:
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Two writing workshops with Courtney Peppernell
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Guided writing sprints and dedicated writing time
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Creative support throughout the weekend
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Optional 1:1 time and manuscript feedback
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Insights into both traditional and self-publishing
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A relaxed, supportive space to write at your own pace
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You don’t need to be published or have a finished manuscript — just bring something you’d like to work on.​
READING RETREAT
Three days where reading is genuinely the plan.
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Stay in Biram Lodge with fellow readers and spend the weekend switching off, working through your TBR and enjoying plenty of unhurried downtime.
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Included for readers:
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Plenty of uninterrupted reading time
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Optional reading sprints
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Poolside relaxing
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Bookish activities and creative crafts
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Cosy classic bookish movie afternoon
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Weekend bookclub with Leesa Ronald​
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Read one book or five. Join everything or disappear with your book for a few hours — it’s completely up to you.
YOUR RETREAT READ: MATCH FIT
Thanks to Allen & Unwin, every guest will receive an advance copy of Leesa Ronald’s Match Fit in the first week of November - with a few surprise goodies, of course. During the retreat, Leesa will join us via Zoom for a special Q&A, where we’ll chat about Match Fit, the characters and the story behind the book, with guests able to submit their questions beforehand. Joining the book club and Q&A is completely optional - writers are just as welcome to take the book away and enjoy it in their own time.
Choose Your Room
Your room price includes the full Bound to Escape experience: three nights’ accommodation, all scheduled meals, included drinks, your curated goodie bag, retreat activities and your chosen Reader or Writer experience.
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A little note on rooms: Our retreat is spread across two beautiful houses on the Noonaweena property. Readers will stay in Biram Lodge, our main retreat house, while writers will stay together in Gymea House, our dedicated Writers’ House. Both houses have their own beautiful shared spaces, and every bedroom has its own private bathroom.​
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See more of Gymea House here.
WRITERS ROOMS
$400 deposit
$2,200 per person
WRITERS ROOMS
$400 deposit
Please note: Gymea House rooms cannot accommodate three separate beds, so triple-share bookings are not available in the Writers’ House.
$1,800 per person
How Will You
Spend Your
Weekend?
A book by the pool. A few hours writing. A bush walk, a swim, a craft session, the spa, the sauna - or an afternoon doing absolutely nothing. Pick what feels good and leave the rest.
Your Weekend at Noonaweena
1
THURSDAY
Arrive, settle in and make yourself at home for the next few days, with your Bound & Co goodie bag waiting for you.
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Meet your fellow readers and writers over welcome cocktails and nibbles as everyone settles in.
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Come together for our first dinner, followed by a relaxed evening, book swap and a little bookish trivia to kick off the weekend.
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FRIDAY
Ease into the morning with breakfast followed by an optional yoga session.
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Then spend the day your way - settle in with your book, head to the Writers’ House, join an optional reading or writing sprint, get creative at the craft table or explore Noonaweena.
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Come together for Wine Hour, a cosy movie afternoon, dinner and a relaxed evening.
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3
SATURDAY
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast followed by a slow morning made for reading, writing, exploring or doing absolutely nothing at all.​
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Then it’s time for our Bound & Co Pool Party, with cocktails, snacks, music, swimming and plenty of time spent poolside.
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Unwind in the afternoon before coming together for our final dinner, followed by drinks, games and one last evening together.
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4
SUNDAY
Enjoy breakfast together and a final morning with nowhere else you need to be.
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Read a few more chapters, get some final words on the page, take a walk, have one last swim or simply enjoy a slow morning at Noonaweena.
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Pack up, say goodbye to your new retreat friends and head home rested, recharged and hopefully already thinking about the next one.
The Venue
Tucked away in the hinterland of the Central Coast, Noonaweena is the kind of place made for switching off. Surrounded by bushland and sweeping views, the private property gives us plenty of space to read, relax and settle into retreat life.
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Across the weekend, you’ll have the property to enjoy as your own, with cosy shared spaces, peaceful corners to disappear into with a book and a pool made for long, lazy afternoons.
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It’s secluded enough to feel like a proper escape, while still being within easy reach of Sydney and the Central Coast — the perfect setting for a few intentionally unhurried days away.
FAQ's
Can I attend on my own?
Absolutely. Many of our guests join us solo, and our retreats are thoughtfully designed to make meeting people feel natural and comfortable. There's no pressure to socialise, and you're welcome to participate as much or as little as you'd like.
What should I bring?
We'll send a detailed welcome guide before the retreat, but we recommend bringing comfortable clothing, your current reads, walking shoes and anything else that will help you feel at home for the weekend.
What ages are the retreats suitable for?
Our retreats are open to adults of all ages and genders. Guests come from a range of backgrounds, united by a shared love of books and a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere.
What’s the difference between the Readers’ Retreat and Writers’ Retreat?
Both experiences are part of the same Bound & Co retreat and share meals, drinks, social activities and our Retreat Day Party. Readers will have dedicated time and spaces for reading and bookish activities, while writers will stay together at Gymea House with dedicated writing time and two workshops with Courtney Peppernell.
Do I need to be a published or experienced writer?
Not at all. The Writers’ Retreat is open to writers at any stage — whether you’re working on your first idea, partway through a manuscript, already published or simply want dedicated time and inspiration to write.
Do I have to be writing a book to join the Writers’ Retreat?
No. You’re welcome to work on fiction, poetry, memoir or another writing project. Courtney’s workshops will explore publishing and the writing journey, but you don’t need to arrive with a completed manuscript or plans to publish.
Do I need to participate in everything?
Not at all. Every activity is optional. Whether you'd like to join every session or spend the afternoon curled up with a book, the weekend is yours to enjoy at your own pace.
Will readers and writers spend time together?
Yes! While readers and writers will have their own dedicated spaces and parts of the schedule, we’ll come together throughout the weekend for meals, drinks, social activities and the Retreat Day Party.
I'm quite introverted. Will I fit in?
Absolutely. Many of our guests describe themselves as introverts or arrive feeling a little nervous. Our retreats are intentionally designed to create genuine connection without pressure, so you'll always be welcome whether you're chatting with new friends or enjoying some quiet reading time.
Can dietary requirements be catered for?
Yes. We can accommodate most dietary requirements. Please let us know when booking so we can make the necessary arrangements.
What if I book a shared room solo?
We’ll thoughtfully match you with another solo guest who has booked the same room type.
Can I choose who I share a room with?
Absolutely. If you’re booking with a friend, let us know who you’d like to share with in your guest form. If you’re booking a shared room on your own, we’ll match you with another solo guest in the same room type.
​What ages are the retreats suitable for?
Our retreats are open to adults of all ages and genders. Guests come from a range of backgrounds, united by a shared love of books and a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere.
Does every room have a private bathroom?
Yes. Every bedroom at both Biram Lodge and Gymea House has its own bathroom.
What happens after I book?
You’ll receive your booking confirmation, followed by an email from Bound & Co with your guest form and an invoice for the remaining retreat balance. We’ll be in touch again before the retreat with everything you need to know, including your packing guide and final schedule.
Is alcohol included? Are non-alcoholic options available?
Yes. Selected drinks are included throughout the weekend, and non-alcoholic options will always be available. No one needs to drink alcohol to enjoy the full retreat experience.
Is the retreat accessible?
We want to make the retreat as welcoming and accessible as possible. If you have mobility, sensory or other access requirements, please contact us before booking so we can talk through the property, accommodation and activities with you.
Cancellation & Refunds
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More than 60 days before the retreat: A refund of all payments made, less your non-refundable deposit.
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30–60 days before the retreat: 50% of the total retreat price is refundable.
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Less than 30 days before the retreat: Payments are non-refundable.
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Deposits are non-refundable at all times.
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If you're unable to attend, you may transfer your booking to another person at no additional cost. Please contact Bound & Co before transferring your place.
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If Bound & Co cancels the retreat, guests will receive a full refund of payments made.​
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​See Terms & Conditions for more.