WordFam Retreat

Returning in 2025: the WordFam is holding a Retreat!
This year, we will be going to beautiful North Stradbroke Island / Minjerribah to enjoy writing time, cool winter beaches and possible passing whales. We hope you can join us!
This will be a writing-focussed Retreat, so bring along whatever project you wish to work on.
Key Details
- When: 6-7 September 2025
- Where: Anchorage, Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island
- Who: WordFam members 18+ years old
- Cost:
- Early bird price (book before end of April 2025): $80 per ticket
- Full price (from 1st May): $95
Accessibility note: there are steps up to the conference room we will be using for Retreat activities. If this is a concern for you, please talk to Kess for more information.
Please note: the schedule in the FAQ below is incorrect. There is no Friday component; the Retreat is Saturday and Sunday. The dates are incorrect but the times are accurate for Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th September respectively. We will be updating this information soon.
Retreat FAQ
- Entry into the Retreat spaces for the weekend
- Retreat activities
- Tea/coffee
- Exclusive WordFam Retreat loot bag
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Refreshments or snacks (except those specified above)
- Travel to/from the island
Friday 18th August (optional)
5-8pm: Meet and greet / Icebreaker
Saturday 19th August
9-10am: Registration and goal setting
10am-12pm: Writing time!
12-1pm: Lunch break
1pm-4pm: Writing time!
4-5pm: Check-in and goal update
Sunday 20th August
9-10am: Check-in and goal update
10am-12pm: Writing time!
12-1pm: Lunch break
1pm-4pm: Writing time!
4-5pm: Final goal update and wrap-up
- A quiet-writing area for those who want to focus and not be disturbed
- A writing area on the beach
- Poolside writing space
- Writing discussion space
- Writing goals
- World building and plot creation tools
We will also be encouraging everyone to set a writing goal for their Retreat weekend. Whether you're drafting, redrafting, or editing, you can track your progress against your goal.
The WordFam recommends Anchorage as they have very reasonable prices and great apartments. If you wish to stay at Anchorage, book with them directly through their website to get the best prices.
Travelling to the Ferry
To get to North Stradbroke Island, you need to get to Toondah Harbour and get a ferry to Dunwich, North Stradbroke Island.
From Brisbane Airport, you can get there by going:
Train (Airport Line): Brisbane Airport to Central (~20mins)
Train (Cleveland Line): Central to Cleveland (1 hour)
Bus (258): Cleveland Station to Toondah Harbour (5-10mins)
By car, Toondah Harbour is about 45 minutes from the airport.
Ferry Options
You can book tickets on the ferry as a walk-on passenger or for a car. The car ticket covers everyone inside the car. (Coordinate with other attendees on the Discord server to carpool!)
Travel times: 25 minutes (passenger ferry) or 45 minutes (vehicle ferry)
Travelling to the Venue
Once you are on North Stradbroke Island, head north to Point Lookout to get to Anchorage. It is about 30 minutes by car.
If you have a walk-on ticket for the ferry, the bus from Dunwich to Point Lookout may be free, check with your ticket provider.
Parking
Anchorage has a car park where you can leave your car while you're at the Retreat. It's directly in front of the building and visible from the Conference Room.
Want to see how our previous retreats have gone? Check out the post all about it!
Interested in attending? Book your ticket here!