Beautiful Byron Bay — Life Writing Retreat
Relax, Write & Transform
Get your stories out of your head and onto the page,
connect deeply — emerge creatively recharged.
5nights/6days – September 19 – 24, 2026
What stories from your life do you need to write?
Put yourself into this picture:
- Wake to the sound of birdsong, gaze across lush tropical gardens all the way to the sea and slow down, remembering what it is to just be. Lose track of time and forget your to-do list.
- Stretch and relax deeply with yoga, unearthing the hidden stories of your body and heart.
- Experience the magic of freeing your creative voice and sharing your stories with others in a compassionate group.
- Be empowered to write the stories that have always scared you.
- Create powerful stories from your life experiences.
- Connect with like-minded creative people who get you, just the way you are.
- Drift into bliss with a deeply soothing singing bowl sound bath.
Free your creative spirit at this inspirational yoga & writing retreat.
Renew your inner joy, nurture your creative spirit and learn how to write your stories.
Join us in world-famous Byron Bay at the heavenly Sangsurya Retreat Centre for six days of deep relaxation, restorative yoga and writing workshops.
You have power over the stories you tell yourself. Creating a compelling narrative from your life stories can be freeing.
Let your inner child out to play. Reclaim your inner goddess and dance! Throw back your head and laugh out loud.
Relax and renew your love of life.
BYRON BAY LIFEE WRITING RETREAT
What you’ll learn
Benefit from the guidance of TWO experienced writing coaches and published authors.
Writing Workshops
- Free your creative voice with guided meditations
- Discover the power of freewriting to specially designed prompts
- Experiment with new ways of writing your stories
- Use all six senses to bring your writing to life
- Learn how to write in scenes
- Explore the many ways you can structure your life story
- Turn painful life experiences into beautiful works of art
- Connect with other, like-minded writers.
“Wherever you are in your writing journey, this writing retreat is for everyone. Emerging, mid-career or professional, there is something to be gained personally and professionally. For me this retreat offered an opportunity to connect with creative and intelligent co-writers who share a passion for story-telling, in an inspiring location. The facilitators were warm, dynamic, generous, authentic and engaging.”
– Kylie Ryan
Your retreat day…
Every morning begins with gentle, restorative yoga in the spectacular yoga shala. Relax deeply and start your day with nurturing and joy.
After a delicious breakfast, join us for an uplifting writing workshop to learn how to free your creative voice, learn the techniques of writing compelling narratives and develop your own unique writing style.
Afternoons are free for your own adventures, naps, swims, solo writing (or join others to write in company), 1:1 sessions with Kerstin or Edwina, massage, tarot readings and a joyful dance therapy session.
At the end of each day, we come together for some yoga breathing (pranayama) and sound healing sessions to clear and calm your mind, deeply relax your body and revitalise your energy.
Every evening, we share delicious home-cooked, locally-sourced dinners prepared by our very own French chef Pierre.
All retreat activities are optional and there will be no judgement if you prefer not to join the yoga sessions, meditations or writing workshops, or if you skip a few.
“Amazing workshops that were very helpful as they not only provided me with skills for fictional writing, which I had never tried before, but also broke the formidable writing task down into manageable practices. I could feel the healing power and love everywhere – from the workshops, to the beautiful nature and my lovely co-writers. The food was super healthy and delicious. A paradise on earth.”
– Yuan Hao
Your home away from home…
Sangsura Retreat Centre is nestled in the Byron Bay hinterland, near famous surf beaches and world-heritage rainforest.
Mosaic-decorated paths meander through this lush sanctuary where native species flourish and bird song breaks the morning silence.
Accommodation is in charming Bali-style houses and cabins hidden in the sub-tropical gardens, positioned for privacy and tranquillity. All rooms are air-conditioned and have ceiling fans.
As this is a dedicated spiritual retreat centre, peace imbues every corner, inviting you to relax deeply, connecting with your creative heart.
Delicious, nutritious, locally sourced farm-fresh meals will nourish your body as you settle into the blissful embrace of retreat.
Slow down. Relax. Play. Make time for yourself to gain insight and wisdom, heal and reset.
Reservations & Rooms
All prices in Australian dollars, exclusive of tax.
A non-refundable deposit of $650 will reserve your spot!
LARGE SINGLE
Sold out
MEDIUM SINGLE
Sold out
SMALL SINGLE
Sold out
SINGLE ROOM (SHARED BATH)
Sold out
SHARED DOUBLE ROOM
Sold out
SHARED TRIPLE ROOM
Sold out
What’s included
- 5 nights accommodation in eco-friendly boutique resort
- Chef-prepared meals (all meals are included). You won’t believe how good food can taste!
- Abundant fresh pure filtered drinking water
- Daily gentle morning yoga
- Writing workshops covering all elements of writing memoir and other forms of life writing with two experienced, compassionate teachers.
- Optional 1:1 feedback session to discuss your writing
- Fun and empowering Joyful Dance Therapy session
- Guided evening yoga breathing classes, sound baths and meditations
- Gift bags
- Open mic night
Not included
Transport to Sangsurya Retreat Centre in Byron Bay
Travel insurance
Alcohol and personal items
Your Retreat Leaders
Kerstin Pilz
Kerstin Pilz
Edwina Shaw
Frequently Asked Questions
How will I get to the retreat center?
Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (BNK) is about a 25-minute drive away, followed by Gold Coast Airport (OOL), approximately a 40 to 45-minute drive.
While Ballina is technically closer, many travelers use Gold Coast Airport because it offers more flights, especially international ones.
Brisbane Airport (BNE) is another option, about a 175km (roughly a 2-hour drive) north.
Buses and shuttle services run to Byron Bay or you can hire a car and self-drive.
We will connect you with other retreat participants in a WhatsApp group so you may be able to join forces and carpool.
What kind of writing will we do?
We’ll be doing lots of writing to prompts specially designed to help you unearth the stories your body needs to tell; stories to uplift and heal your spirit, to soothe your soul and open your heart and to find new ways to look at the past and the future.
If you want to focus on a project underway, you’re welcome to do that.
This retreat is perfect for total beginners wanting to make a start and for those who already have a journaling practice and want to drop deeper into their writing and learn new tools. We are firm believers in the healing power of story and will share the many techniques we’ve developed to help shift those stories out of your head and onto the page.
What if I don't write in English?
The writing you will be doing in this retreat is for your eyes only. Sharing is optional but encouraged. Some of our foreign language writers in the past have opted to summarise their words in English.
What kind of yoga will we do?
Our days begin with a gentle, flowing yoga practice to wake the body, incorporating restorative yin-style poses to connect you deeply to your body. Each movement is linked to breath making these practices a form of moving meditation. Edwina’s sessions also incorporate other gentle energy-based practices such as Tai Chi and Chi Gong.
The classes are designed for people who have some experience with yoga, but you don’t have to be an experienced yogi to participate. Your highly experienced teachers will tailor each session to suit individual needs.
After a day of writing, in the early evenings Edwina’s breathwork sessions will help you clear your mind, soothe your body and connect with your higher self through guided relaxation and simple breathing techniques anyone can do.
Think you can’t meditate? Think again. These breathing exercises are designed to help slow your thoughts and calm your mind, leading to a blissful meditative state.
Terms & Conditions
• Full payment for all bookings is required 3 months prior to retreat start. Any bookings made thereafter, must be paid in full upon booking.*
• To participate in our international retreats, you will need to provide evidence of international travel insurance. This will also protect you in case of flight cancellations or any unforeseen events.
*feel free to ask us about staggered payment plans
Refund Policy
If you cancel 3.5 months or more prior to the retreat start, we will refund your fee minus the $650 deposit. However, if you can find a replacement to fill your spot, we are happy to refund all fees paid minus a $250 administrative fee.
Cancellations up to twelve weeks prior to retreat start will receive a 50% refund of the total paid, less the deposit.
If you cancel ten weeks prior to the retreat start, we are unable to provide any refunds. Therefore, make sure you get travel insurance as soon as you book so all your costs are covered in case of unexpected events.
Have more questions?
What our guests say about our retreats