The Bay of Fires Creative Retreat
The Bay of Fires Creative Retreat
with Jodi Wilson & Bri Lee
Thursday 25 June - Sunday 28 June 2026 (4 days)
Make a $1,500 Deposit To Secure Your Place
BOOKINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT 9AM ON WEDNESDAY 18 FEBRUARY
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Highlights
- Accommodation at the spectacular Bay of Fires Bush Retreat
- A Welcome to Country fine dining cultural experience with Palawa Kipli
- Three dedicated 'Clarity, Confidence and Creativity' workshops with Jodi Wilson
- Three book club sessions with Bri Lee
- Start each day with Morning Pages and end each day with marshmallows by the fire
In spring of 2022, I met Bri Lee at her writing retreat in the Bay of Fires. It was a pivotal moment in my creative and professional life because while I learnt a lot about the elements of writing, it was the confidence Bri instilled in me that was most influential. Sometimes we need someone a little further ahead of us on the path to remind us that we can move forward without hesitation and doubt. It’s incredibly special for me to come full circle and co-teach with Bri; and it’s proof that as creatives, we are buoyed by each other.
Winter in Lutruwita, in the quiet of the Bay of Fires Bush Retreat, is an opportunity to slow down, tune in, and listen. Across three days we’ll huddle and converse about all the good things: words, books, and the daily practices that sustain us in our normal, busy lives. This is your invitation to go fallow, breathe deep, clear your mind and ask: what now? — Jodi Wilson
Life seems to be coming at as faster and faster each year. Longer to-do lists, shorter attention spans, and less time for the deep thinking we need to be properly creative. By the time we all reach June we will be in need of a rest and reprieve. Winter is the perfect time for us to take a beat and refocus. The two books I have chosen to post out to you in the lead-up to this retreat have meant so much to me and I can't wait to share them with you. — Bri Lee
DATES
Thursday 25 June - Sunday 28 June 2026 (4 days)
TOUR LEADERS
Jodi Wilson and Bri Lee
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The Bay of Fires Bush Retreat bell tents (Copyright Adam Gibson)
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Author Jodi Wilson
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Delicious dinners each night (Copyright Dearna Bond)
Itinerary
Day 1: Thursday 25 June | Arrival - Book Club - Palawa Kipli Dinner
Arrive at the Bay of Fires Bush Retreat between 2:00pm and 3:00pm, and get settled into your beautiful accommodation. (If you arrive early, take a drive around this special region.)
Our first day begins with a 3:00pm welcome by Jodi and Bri.
The first of Bri's three book clubs will take place at 4:00pm.
Dinner tonight is a Welcome to Country fine dining cultural experience delivered by Palawa Kipli. "This is a tailored, sit-down event that centres palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) food, stories, and our ongoing connection to Country through cultural food practices. Each course is accompanied by discussion and storytelling, allowing guests to engage deeply with the cultural context of palawa food."
Day 2: Friday 26 June | Workshop - Book Club
Each day begins with an 8:00am Morning Pages session led by Bri and a fully-catered breakfast.
At 10:00am Jodi will lead the first of her three workshops.
Guests are free to either bring or source their own lunches, and enjoy free time in the early afternoon. (See info below re: meals.)
At 5:00pm we will come together for the second book club.
Dinner this night will be wood-fired pizzas and salads delivered to us from a local restaurant.
Day 3: Saturday 27 June | Workshop - Book Club - 3-Course Locally-Sourced Dinner
Each day begins with an 8:00am Morning Pages session led by Bri and a fully-catered breakfast.
At 10:00am Jodi will lead the second of her three workshops.
Guests are free to either bring or source their own lunches, and enjoy free time in the early afternoon. (See info below re: meals.)
At 5:00pm we will come together for the third book club.
Dinner this night will be a 3-course meal prepared on-site for us by a local small business who specialise in seasonal Tassie produce.
Day 4: Sunday 28 June | Workshop #3 - Departure
Today begins with an earlier 7:00am Morning Pages session led by Bri and a fully-catered breakfast.
Jodi will run her third and final workshop at 8:30am.
Checkout time is 11:00am, so please factor that in when you are booking your flights or making transfer plans.
Depart from the Bay of Fires Bush Retreat well-rested, creatively energised, and with new friends!
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Where we'll be learning during Jodi's workshops (Copyright Adam Gibson)
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Where we'll be chatting, exchanging ideas, and unwinding (Copyright Adam Gibson)
More Details
Inclusions
- Accommodation at the Bay of Fires Bush Retreat (see details below for your options)
- All breakfasts (3) and all dinners (3)
- Workshops with Jodi and book clubs with Bri
- The two required readings will be posted to you approximately two months before our retreat begins
- Unlimited marshmallows for roasting on the fire
Exclusions
- Flights and transfers
- Lunches (There are lovely cafes and restaurants in the nearby town a short drive away. For those without a car there is a pre-prepared meal selection from the honesty bar freezer on-site. Guests choose their meals, heat and serve them in the communal kitchen, and we provide complimentary sides (rice, pasta, couscous) plus access to our onsite veggie garden.)
- Alcohol and other drinks are available from the honesty bar on-site
- Comprehensive travel insurance (required for travel as per our Terms & Conditions)
- Visas, international taxes, and vaccines for international guests
Group Size
Minimum 10 and maximum 16. We will be in touch as soon as we receive the minimum number of bookings for the trip to proceed. That is when you should book your flights and pay for your travel insurance.
Accommodation
On-site there are bell tents, a shared bunk house, and a private king room.
Bell tents are available in private or shared options. Private bell tents all have king beds. Shared bell tents have one king and one single bed option.
The bunk house has four bunk beds and one king bed option.
IMPORTANT: Please read and carefully consider which accommodation style you would prefer. There are limited numbers of each type and we cannot guarantee a swap will be available if you change your mind. Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
Please note: bathroom facilities at the Bay of Fires Bush Retreat are shared, regardless of your choice of accommodation option.
Transport and Transfers
The Bay of Fires Bush Retreat - Where It Is and How to Get There
The Bay of Fires Bush Retreat is located in North-East Tasmania at the Southern entrance to the Bay of Fires, 2 minutes drive to the township of Binalong Bay, and 10 minutes from St Helens. It is a 2h drive from Launceston Airport and a 3hr 15 min drive from Hobart Airport.
IMPORTANT: Please allow plenty of time for flights and driving, and make sure you are arriving at our retreat at 2:00pm on the Thursday. We will be checking out on the Sunday at 11:00am.
Once we have received the minimum number of guests (10) for the trip to proceed, we will add you to a Bibliocarta WhatsApp group. For those flying into Tasmania, you can get in touch with your fellow guests to arrange carpools.
"Clarity, Confidence and Creativity" Workshops | Book Clubs
Jodi's Workshops
Before the bright ideas come, you need to create space. Jodi's new book, A Brain That Breathes: Essential habits for an overwhelming world, is full of reliable research presented in actionable language and lists. "Understanding your brain (how it works and what it needs to work well) is a vital foundation for a creative life. In this three-part workshop I’ll guide you through practices that will help you stay focused, encourage you to follow your instincts down a path of curiosity, and create in a way that’s sustainable for you. Together we’ll read, discuss, brainstorm and write, while softening the body, settling the nervous system and keeping the mind attentive and aware."
Bri's Book Clubs
You will receive two "required readings" that Bri has set for this trip. Please read them and come ready to discuss in the first two book clubs. The third is what Bri calls "bring a plate" - everyone arrives with one other book relevant to the themes of the trip, ready to discuss what it meant to them and recommend it to others. We leave with a wonderful, varied list to follow up on!
Payment Process & Payment Plan Options
Travellers must make their non-refundable deposit to secure their spot on the trip because places are limited.
Once the minimum threshold of travellers is reached and the trip is confirmed as proceeding, you will then receive an email with a link to the full payment portal. At this time you may choose to either pay the amount in full (no later than 30 April 2026) or sign up for the payment plan of three installments (to be paid in late February, late March, and late April).
Please read our Terms & Conditions page for further details.
Dietaries?
The food on this retreat is a big, special part of it, and we are committed to making sure everyone can enjoy the meals. If you've got a standard dietary requirement such as gluten free or vegetarian, we can definitely cater to you. If you have severe allergies or something a little less common, please email us and we're happy to check with our catering partners.
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Guests doing book club with Bri at our recent Ubud & Munduk Creative Retreat (Copyright Samantha Roche)
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Our final 'Morning Pages' writing activity on the morning of Day 4 is a lovely surprise for those who haven't travelled with us before, and a deeply useful exercise for those who have.
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The interior of the bell tent at the Bay of Fires Bush Retreat (Copyright Adam Gibson)