Does it matter what religion you are to book a retreat?

No. Gembrook Retreat was set up by a Quaker woman, Maggie Dunkle, and she wanted to welcome anyone who was seeking retreat and spiritual renewal, regardless of faith or no faith.

Does Gembrook Retreat have disability access?

We are on steeply sloped bush block without paved access. David’s Cabin is 100m downhill from the Gate 2 carpark, over an uneven grassy slope. (This means it is also 100m to get back up to the car – something to be prepared for!) The Meeting House is also downhill, has space for one 4WD vehicle to park, and it will be possible for someone in a wheelchair to move through this building and access toilets. However, vehicle access can be difficult in wet weather, and most of the property requires a reasonable level of walking capacity to move around. Please talk to us if you have concerns about mobility.

Do you welcome LGBTQIA+ people?

Yes, we warmly welcome anyone who wishes to retreat on this land.

Will I run out of power?

Good question! It obviously depends on how much power you use, how sunny the day has been, and whether the building has been used by others directly before your stay. We encourage you to turn off lights when they are not required, charge devices during the daytime (or leave them turned off!) and turn off the fridge overnight and when not required. However, there should be enough power to leave a light to the toilet on overnight. In the Meeting House, the inverter box in the Meeting Room shows how full the battery is, so check to see if you are running low. If the power does run out, you can still access water from the outside taps because they are gravity fed.

Can I pick flowers?

You will often find a vase of flowers in your retreat accommodation, and you are welcome to take these home with you for a small donation. We ask that you do not pick waratahs or proteas as they may be reserved for other purposes, and they also need to be pruned carefully to ensure good growth in following seasons.

What is your cancellation policy?

We know that stuff happens! Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel or postpone your booking so we can offer the space to someone else. Your booking is confirmed when we receive payment, unless specific arrangement has been made. For cancellations more than 24 hours before your stay, we will refund your payment minus a 10% or $10 admin fee, whichever is higher. For cancellations less than 24 hours prior to your stay, refunds will be at our discretion.

Is Gembrook Retreat suitable for children?

Yes! Children are very welcome at Gembrook Retreat.  Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult who takes responsibility for their supervision. There are many places, birds, animals, insects and plants on the land to discover and explore. As for adults, there are risks to be aware of on a bush block (we have occasional snakes, some plants are prickly, we have burning off piles and woodfire stoves for heating). Please talk to us if you have particular concerns.

Do you offer communal meals or time with the residents?

You need to be independent during your retreat. Guests are welcome to join residents for daily prayer 4 days a week. Aside from this, there is no regular access to the residential area of the main house as part of your stay (unless you have booked our Retreat Day program or Writer’s Residency retreat).

Is there any work I can do during my stay?

You can always ask us! It’s always helpful to have the wood and kindling topped up in the Cabin and Meeting House. However, we are not usually able to direct and supervise work during your stay. If you are interested in working on the land, we have regular working bees on Fridays.

Will I need to bring a torch?

Buildings at Gembrook Retreat have solar powered lighting. If you arrive after dark, we recommend that you bring a torch or use your phone to find your way down the hill to the retreat buildings as there is minimal lighting.

What if there is a bushfire near Gembrook?

Gembrook Retreat has a bushfire policy for the safety of guests and residents. When travelling or living in bushfire prone areas, individuals need to take final responsibility for their own safety.

Fire Danger Ratings are forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology during the fire season to provide an indication of the level of risk of bush fire on any given day. At Gembrook Retreat these forecasts are used as part of our bushfire survival plan and will impact on our ability to host people.  The ratings are as follows:

Moderate: guests are encouraged to remain vigilant and aware throughout the bushfire season.
High: Day will be monitored.  Leaving may be necessary.
Extreme:  All guests will be required to leave before 9am, and asked to provide a contact number.
Catastrophic: All guests will be required to leave before 9am.  Guests will be encouraged to leave the night before and asked to leave a contact number.  Guests should contact us by phone to see when they can return.

During the bushfire season, if you wish to have an outdoor fire, please check first with the residents.