May 2026 Beechworth Retreat
Come and join us in historic Beechworth in May 2026, for three nights at the beautiful Freeman on Ford. Get ready for a wonderful time with local exploration, quality food and drinks, great company and most importantly, excellent books and lots of time to read them.
Our retreat in Beechworth givens you the opportunity to escape from the noise and distraction of your daily life, where all you have to do is read and relax. With us, you can let the outside world melt away while you enjoy a weekend all about you and your books. While the Beechworth retreat will have a few activities arranged for guests, these are completely optional - it's your retreat, you do it your way!
As part of Reading Retreats Australia's three-night getaway, you'll have exclusive access to the Freeman on Ford property, as we have booked the whole location just for the retreat group.
Dates: Thursday, 21 May 2026 to Sunday, 24 May 2026
Location: Freeman on Ford, Beechworth, Victoria
Rooms: Rooms are available as a single or a shared booking (shared rooms are available for couples or friends; no rooms will be shared between people who have not booked it together)
Reading prescription: We'll be in touch to create your personalised reading prescription and book pack.
A historic landmark, Freeman on Ford is situated perfectly in the heart of Beechworth’s Historic Precinct, making it the ideal location from which to explore this unique town.
Freeman on Ford provides two levels of luxurious accommodation, sumptuous common areas for reading and enjoying yummy breakfasts, and landscaped gardens, all in the central township of Beechworth in North East Victoria. Each of the rooms will be fitted out with your guest reading pack and snacks perfect for reading the time away.
The itinerary will include a variety of activities for guests to choose from, and will include daily breakfasts, lots of cafe and lunch excursions, a bookshop walking (and shopping) tour, three group dinners at a variety of local eateries, and more (maybe a ghost tour for those so inclined?!). Above all, there will be plenty of time to read and relax in your own room or in one of the many cosy spaces available for guests inside and out at Freeman on Ford. Sarah will be available onsite at all times for a chat, a reading recommendation or to just be a reading buddy.
What's included in your retreat:
- Three-night stay at the 5-star rated Freeman on Ford in Beechworth, Victoria
- A bespoke reading prescription, customised just for you and your reading preferences
- A welcome gift bag including a selection of your prescribed books, annotation kit, bookmark, handmade small batch tea, tea infuser, book bag and other bookish goodies
- In-room snacks, goodies and drinks
- Three group dinners in great local Beechworth venues
- Full, cooked breakfasts daily
- A walking bookshop and shopping tour (and a nighttime ghost tour!)
- Reading Retreat Australia hosts on site at all times for book chats and support
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 per cent 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 while you attend the retreat; 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:
Not all our retreat locations may be able to accommodate additional needs. Should you require reasonable adjustments or specialised facilities, please contact us and we will work with you to ensure your stay is as comfortable and safe as possible.