July 2026 Reading Retreat
Cosy up with us in front of a roaring fireplace in the middle of winter, over 2 nights during the July school holidays.
Retreat from the noise and distraction of daily life and join us in the Hunter Valley, where all you have to do is read and relax. You can watch a beautiful sunrise, jump in the spa, go for a walk - it's totally up to you. With us, you can let the outside world melt away for a weekend all about you and your books.
Dates: Check in Friday 10th July from 3pm, checkout 10.00am Sunday 12th July
Location: Hunter Valley, NSW (Cessnock)
Rooms: Rooms are available as a single or a double booking
Diet: We will cater for any dietary needs, please let us know when booking
Reading prescription: Once you've booked, we'll be in touch to start creating your personalised reading prescription and book pack.
The property boasts several large rooms, all with ensuites. The property also comes with a separate cottage, detached from the main house which offers maximum privacy and its own ensuite and kitchenette.
Bedroom 1 - Queen bed and single bed, with ensuite, spa bath and balcony (upstairs)
Bedroom 2 - Queen bed with ensuite, spa bath and balcony (upstairs)
Bedroom 3 - Queen bed with ensuite and private entry (downstairs)
Private cottage (Bedroom 4) - Queen Bed with ensuite, fireplace and kitchenette
To book a room for 2 people please use the "shared room" option, to book for a room to yourself choose "single room". Shared rooms are available for couples or friends. No rooms will be shared between people who have not booked it together.
On Friday and Saturday nights, we will be offering a chef-prepared dinner for all guests. Entree, main and desert will be included as well as all drinks, including wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee. This is a fabulous opportunity to come together and chat about what you're reading and your favourite books. If you would prefer to not come to the dinner, that is totally fine-you can be served in your room, or in another part of the house.
Breakfast, lunches, morning and afternoon teas are provided so you dont have to lift a finger. Again, these can be served to your room, or wherever you'd like on the property.
Prior to your retreat, you will receive an emailed questionnaire from us regarding your book prescription. This will help us learn about you and your reading preferences, and assist us to customise your prescription. (Please make sure our emails aren't heading to your junk folder!)
What's included
We aim to make things as easy as possible for you to spend the maximum amount of time reading. The following is included for all guests:
- 2 night stay in beautiful Hunter Valley accommodation. Our property boasts numerous reading areas, a designated quiet reading space with fireplace, luxurious private bedrooms, shared and private dining spaces, a spa and grounds to explore. The spaces are generous, and you'll always find a private area to read.
- A bespoke reading prescription customised to you, and your tastes and interests
- A welcome gift bag, including a selection of your prescribed books, an annotation kit, bookmark, tea, tea infuser and other book-related goodies
- Chef-prepared menus including breakfast, lunch, morning and afternoon teas and dinners. The retreats are all-inclusive, everything is supplied for you.
- Excellent tea, coffee and snacks available at all times
Terms and conditions
Cancellations
Should you need to cancel your booking the following policy will be applied:- More than 12 weeks notice before the booked retreat-you will receive a full refund.
- Between 12 and 8 weeks from the booked retreat- you are entitled to a 50% refund. Or we will work with you to move your retreat to a mutually convenient alternative retreat date.
- If you cancel within 8 weeks of the booked retreat, we are unable to offer a refund. However, we will endeavour to resell your booking and, if successful, we will provide you with a refund to the amount we resell your booking for. Alternatively, we will work with you to move your booking to a mutually convenient alternative retreat.
We will do everything to ensure that the retreat takes place on the planned date and at the location advertised. However, where this becomes impractical due to circumstances beyond our control, or where bookings are insufficient to justify it, we may cancel or rearrange the retreat at our discretion.
In such cases:
Where a Retreat is cancelled, we will refund the total amount of payment which we have received from you in respect of the retreat, less any previously processed refunds.
Cancellations based on low bookings will not take place within 8 weeks prior to the retreat taking place. Cancellations within this period of time will only ever take place for circumstances beyond our control. And in every instance of a cancellation by us we will endeavour to book you into an alternative retreat date.
Personal effects:
Reading Retreats Australia does not accept any liability for loss, damage or theft of your personal effects, it is your responsibility to ensure you keep your valuables secure.
Dietary requirements:
Whilst we try to accommodate your dietary needs, we cannot guarantee an allergy-free diet as the kitchens we use are not entirely under our control. Reading Retreats Australia will not assume any liability for adverse reactions from the food consumed, or items one may come in contact with whilst staying at the property.
Behaviour:
We reserve the right to ask any guests to leave whose behaviour is disruptive or threatening (no refund will be offered).
Animals:
Please get in contact if you would like to bring your well-behaved pet to the retreat. In some instances, this may be possible. For assistance animals please get in contact and we will work with you to ensure your animal is with you for your retreat.
Additional needs:
Our retreat locations may not all be able to accommodate additional needs. Should you require specialised facilities, please contact us and we will work with you to ensure your stay is as comfortable and safe as possible.