Please pack only what you need and leave valuables and electronic devices at home. Newbury tends to be colder at night than Melbourne, so please pack accordingly. You are most welcome to bring your own meditation cushions, mats, or stools.

For outdoor activities, including nature trails, bring weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes. This is especially important, even during summer months, to fully enjoy our outdoor walking meditation.

Essentials

• Beddings (sleeping bag and sheets), bath towel, pillow, pillowcase and toiletries
• Ear plugs and eye mask, if you are a light sleeper
• Flashlight, Umbrella, or raincoat
• Alarm clock/device (or you can use your mobile to set an alarm)
• Water bottle/thermos/travel mug
• Water-proof shoes that are easy to slip on and off (for entering & leaving the communal buildings easily)
• Slippers (for use inside your accommodation)
• A blanket to keep warm while meditating 
• A copy (digital or paper) of your invoice 

Recommended

• Hats, sunscreen and insect repellent
• Laundry soap – clothes washing is mostly by hand 
• Laundry: We encourage clothes washing by hand to conserve energy. Whenever possible, please take your laundry home to support our environmental sustainability efforts.

For overseas/interstate visitors, you are welcome to borrow sheets and blankets as needed, we kindly request that you wash and dry them before departure. 

Please note: For the comfort and safety of all guests, please leave your pets at home.

Our facility features 24 comfortable rooms, each equipped with its own ensuite bathroom and accommodating up to two people. Every cottage also includes a kitchenette, allowing guests to prepare hot drinks or a light breakfast in the morning. We have carefully crafted these spaces to create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, ensuring you feel at home during your stay.

Additionally, the women’s lodge in the nuns’ area can accommodate approximately 14 women, with two guests per room. Guests in the women’s lodge share a communal shower and toilet block.

Room Allocation Guidelines

While we make every effort to accommodate gender preferences in room assignments across the cottages, it’s important to highlight that a mixed-gender cottage will also be available during each retreat, ensuring flexibility for those who prefer shared living arrangements, regardless of gender.

Prior to the start date of the retreat, each participant will be allocated a room. While we cannot guarantee specific cottages or rooms, we are more than happy to assist in facilitating room sharing among family or friends of the same gender attending the same retreat. To request room sharing, please specify your preferences in the Additional Information form which will be provided to you after your booking is comfirmed. 

Accessibility 

Our cottages include specially designed wheelchair-accessible rooms to accommodate guests with mobility challenges and their careers. These rooms are designed to ensure a comfortable and convenient stay. To learn more about the availability of these rooms, please contact stay.sos@bsv.net.au before proceeding with your booking.

A simple vegetarian lunch will be provided. While there will be no evening meal, hot drinks and permissible snacks will be available in the afternoon. Breakfast typically includes bread, cereals, yogurt, fruits, and a selection of spreads, along with hot beverages to complement your meal.

Our intention is to cultivate a mindful and harmonious dining experience that encourages a culture of savouring each bite and nurturing gratitude. We kindly ask participants to embrace and enjoy the simple and nourishing vegetarian meals offered throughout the retreat.

Dietary Requirements

If you have been prescribed a special diet due to medical conditions (not personal preference), please inform us at the time of your application.

A: For specific dietary needs, such as severe food allergies, lactose intolerance, or gluten sensitivity, we recommend that you bring your own food to ensure your safety. We also kindly request that you bring any necessary supplements to accommodate your dietary restrictions.
B: For health-related reasons requiring an evening meal, we kindly ask that you serve a portion during lunchtime or bring your own food to supplement your needs.

First Day

The centre will open to welcome guests starting from 5:00pm.
17:15pm to 18pm: Check – in
18:30pm: A light supper will be served in the dining hall
19:45pm: Group Meeting with the Retreat Manager in the dining hall
20:00pm: The first teaching in the meditation hall.
21:00pm Rest and personal time Assist in lunch preparation
If you anticipate arriving late, please notify us in advance. For early departures,
please inform the retreat centre in advance to facilitate necessary arrangements.

Daily Timetable

5:00am Optional: Sitting or Walking Meditation
6:00am Chanting and group meditation
7:00am Breakfast followed by cleaning up cottage and communal areas
8:30am Dhamma talk
9:30am Sitting and walking meditation
10:30am Announcement and Lunch break, followed by cleaning up of dining hall and dishwashing area communal areas
Noon Rest and attend to personal needs
14:00pm Individual practice (sitting and walking meditation)
15:00pm Dhamma talk
16:00pm Sitting and walking meditation / interviews with the teacher
17:00pm Tea break and personal time
19:30pm Group practice in the meditation hall
20:30pm Q&A
21:00pm Rest

* This timetable is intended to help you structure your day and make the most of your retreat experience. We encourage you to listen to your body and take breaks whenever needed. Feel free to join the meditation sessions whenever you feel recharged and ready.

End of Retreat

If the retreat concludes on Sunday, please note that the closing time will be after
lunch on the final day. Extra work may be needed on this day to help tidy and clean the Retreat Centre.

Cancelling a retreat booking

If you need to cancel your retreat booking, the following conditions apply:

Refund of Room Bond
Refunds can only be processed if the requests are made within seven (7) days of the retreat’s completion. Please note that applicable fees, bank fees, and other charges, will be deducted from the room bond.

To initiate a refund for your Room Bond, please email your request to retreats@bsv.net.au; when emailing, we would greatly appreciate it if you could use the subject format: “Date of the Retreat + Teacher + Your Full Name”.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept requests for refunds via phone calls. Thank you for your understanding.

The Buddhist Society of Victoria relies on generous contributions that sustain our operations and cover utility bills. To ensure the continued provision of a serene and comfortable retreat experience, we warmly invite you to consider donating your Room Bonds as a way of supporting the centre’s ongoing operations. Your understanding and generosity hold profound importance to us as we earnestly endeavour to enhance the retreat environment for the benefit and well-being of all.