PlayFest 

Movement Arts Retreat

 

3rd - 7th October 2024

 

What is PlayFest Retreat?

Established in 2021, PlayFest is a community collaborative, organically catered, skills-based, Movement Arts Retreat, focusing on play for personal, sensual, social, and professional development.

Whether you’re 7 or 77, we believe that no one is too young or too old to play, we welcome all!

Bringing you Contact Improvisation Dance, Martial Arts, Breathwork, Somatic Sexology, Flow Toys, Yoga, Science, Technology, Ancient Wisdom, Original Music & so much more…

Our intention is to be mindfully embodied. Harnessing the power of each breath in alignment with the movement of our body and at ease with our mind.

Come, relax a little, play a lot, share sacred knowledge, connect with nature, embrace exponential technologies, learn more about bio-hacking, or book yourself a massage. Take the opportunity to sing, dance, feel, and free yourself in a beautifully lush Australian bush land.

Our workshops are held from sunrise to sunset, led by a multitude of professional dancers, athletes, therapists, and coaches from around the world.

Together we invite you to take 5 transformative days to connect with the community. Share skills, heighten your senses, enhance healthy development, witness the beauty and art form of body movement in flow. 

Come feel what it is to be embodied and find your flow within nature. There are no to-do’s, there is just to be. 

Core Facilitators

  • Jill

    Collage Mandala Art & Meditation

  • Anna

    Breathwork & Elemental Embodiment

  • Tashi

    Kung Fu, Ancient Wisdom, Exponential Tech & A.I.

  • Efrat

    Holistic Sexual Wellness

  • Naomi

    Aerials, Sculptures & Dance

  • Sabine

    SCI-MAA Science to Master the Arts of Self Expression

  • Fernando

    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Non-Verbal Communication

  • Lillian

    Contact Improv, Animal Flow & Aerials

  • Ali

    Somatic Sexology & Embodiment

  • Ayham

    Storytelling & Real Conversations

  • Emma

    Sanctum of Shen: Zenthai Shiatsu & Kinesiology

  • Natalie

    Pure Flow: Hawaiian Temple Style Bodywork & Massage

  • Christina

    Mana Waves: Lomi Lomi & Trigger Point Therapy

  • Ash

    Intuitve Massage & Reiki Healing

  • Ira Belle

    Tarot Readings, Reiki & Light Language

  • Paul

    Bodywork, Menswork, Connection, Attunement

Read More About Your Facilitators

Catering Nourishment

Your health and that of the planet is something we really value. We are delighted to have the talented Chef Micol, founder of Pasta & Plants, to nourish us with organic soulful foods that maintain high vibes. 


“Good for your health, the animals and mama earth. Micol is a creative and caring wholefoods plant-based chef. Her passion extends to a strong belief that food is medicine and a way of preventing most illnesses. Micol’s culinary creations are mainly inspired by ancient Italian and Mediterranean culture. Her mission is to showcase how easy it is to opt for a plant-based lifestyle without compromising on taste. Because conscious choices start indeed from our plates and the energies we decide to feed ourselves with.”

At PlayFest Retreat, we provide buffet style dinners on the days workshops are held (Friday-Sunday inclusive). Please bring your own reusable cutlery, crockery, and cups for all meals.

Thursday night arrivals, we’ll host a potluck dinner so you can bring something to share and enjoy an easy, warm, and friendly first night together.

Outside of the catered dinners, all other meals are your responsibility. Please pack additional meals as you require, including self-sufficient food storage and camp cooking appliances. There’s ice for sale if needed.

To make things a little easier and care-free, there will also be some food vendors available offering breakfast delights and lunch snacks for your enjoyment.

If you don’t have camp cooking appliances, don’t fret! Meal sharing and camper-vans are common so if you don’t own a camping stove, we recommend you bring food to share with your neighbours and ask to cook together.

All catered dinners by our Chef are plant-based, nut-free, and gluten free options available.

All food vendors and ice purchases require cash - there’s no mobile phone signal on site.

No guests are allowed access to the chef’s commercial kitchen due to health and safety, so please pack for self-sufficient cooking and food storage.

Location and Information

 

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we live, work, and create. We pay our respects to elders past, present, and emerging. And we acknowledge You, the co-creators of this collective dream we live.

Located 75km from Sydney CBD, Wisemans Ferry is on Dharug and Darkinjung country by the Hawkesbury River.

Set in a picturesque native Australian bush scene, the venue boasts wide open space, massive sheltering trees, and a tidal creek with fresh water access. Workshops are held in a large undercover dance space where you will be sheltered from the elements, yet able to enjoy fresh air and beautiful views of nature. Fire pits are conveniently located throughout the site so you can sing, dance, and enjoy live music well into the evenings. 

Mobile phone reception is minimal and not available throughout most of the property.

 
 

Accommodation & Amenities

 

We offer two types of accommodation: 

1. Shared cabins (up to 4 adults): Single beds with mattresses provided, but you’ll need to bring your own pillow, doona cover, and linens. 

2. Private camping: You can bring your own campervan, tent, or swag for a more private experience in nature. 

Please note, all cabins are shared and can sleep up to 8 adults although we encourage guests to only have a maximum of 4 people per cabin for comfort. The cabins feature basic bunk-bed style arrangements, electrical power outlets, lighting, and air conditioning.

You may select your accommodation preference at checkout when making your booking. And you will choose your room upon arrival.

  • BYO drinking water, esky, and cooking facilities for your food

There are toilets, hot showers, and non-drinking water on-site for washing up.

Please note this is a LEAVE NO TRACE venue and no glass is allowed.

There are no council pick-ups for trash so please take all you brought in back out with you.

Unfortunately NO PETS allowed as there are resident dogs on the property and this is a strict request from the owner.

 What to bring

 

  • Your proof of purchase - name & email used at checkout. This will be checked at the gate so please ensure your details match.

  • Yoga mat & cushion

  • Journal & pen

  • Camping gear, esky, & cooking equipment

  • Drinking water & food (except dinner Friday, Saturday & Sunday - provided)

  • Swimmers & beach towel

  • Cash for massages, food vendors, and stalls (no phone reception)

  • Reusable plate / bowl / cutlery for all meals

  • Bin bags & containers (beware - wildlife can easily get into bags so containers are great) - Take ALL your rubbish home

  • Tent / swag / campervan if you want private accommodation. Alternatively, single beds are available in shared cabins but remember BYO pillows, linens & doona

  • Comfortable clothes for dancing and movement

  • Favourite costumes / ceremonial attire is welcome 

  • Musical instruments, fire / L.E.D flow toys, and anything for fun & connection!

  • Wet weather gear, sun protection, and a torch

  • Shoes fit for the bush 

  • Slack lines & Hammocks

  • Only natural & biodegradable sunscreen + mosquito repellants 

  • Warm jackets & trousers for the nights

  • Sense of adventure & an open heart

Additional Highlights

  • Professional Bodywork and Energetics, including Zenthai Shiatsu, Reiki, Relaxing Massage sessions on offer.

  • Guest Facilitators and more workshops to be announced

  • Fire Dancing and Live Interactive Art

  • Cacao and breakfast delights to boost your energy

  • Aerialists and Acrobats

  • Live Music & Original Artists

  • Shibari Artistry

 PlayFest Retreat Ticket | $555

RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW (click here)

Accommodation, Dinner, and Workshops are included. 

See what people are saying…

  • I went to Playfest with no idea of what I was walking into. I didn’t know anyone. It was a truly amazing and magical experience. The workshops were diverse, fun, and interesting. I met some wonderful people and new friends. If you are an open-minded individual looking to learn, grow, connect, and above all play I highly recommend Playfest.

    Felicity

  • I wanted to thank you for your pioneering spirit. You’ve created something really special. Thank you so much for following your passion and putting playfest together. Coming by myself I felt instantly comfortable, everything felt easy, safe and respectful. Your event stood out to me as a must do bucket list item. I would recommend your event to others 💯..I have made mates for life. I felt so empowered when I left the space. It’s had a really positive impact on me. I can achieve anything I want, I am supported, I am free. How nice it is to walk around as a female in the dark, alone and feel completely safe. So much love.

    Lauren

  • Leaving playfest, I feel calm, joy, gratitude and inspired. A calmness from grounding myself in nature, and disconnecting from day to day lists and routines. A much needed pause, and reconnect. Joy, from all the play, creativity and movement! Gratitude for the land that held us, the facilitators, and all the beautiful people I connected with and shared this experience with. Inspired to call in more play into my everyday, inspired to soften into each moment and welcome it with curiosity. Thank you playfest!

    Jasmine

  • For me, Playfest was about rediscovering myself. It helped me connect with people and my environment in ways I could not appreciate before.

    Anonymous PlayFest Participant

  • This is a great one. Beautiful rural venue. Menu of embodied activities- participate when you want and chillax when you don’t. Fully centered with organic food or BYO economy option. Stay in a cabin or your own tent/camper. Recommended.

    Stephanie