Art Retreat Maleny QLD Australia 2025
Art & Nature Hinterland Retreat
A sacred space where art, nature, & warm hospitality intertwine & rejuvenate your spirit.
Located in the Sunshine Coast hinterland town of Maleny, Queensland, Australia.
Hello, I’m Jo
Australian watercolour artist, transpersonal art therapist, and Airbnb super-host.
For women seeking to enhance personal growth, wellbeing, and healing through the synergy of art and nature.
Nature-based art therapy sessions and retreats help you to cultivate a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you.
I provide a safe and nurturing environment for you to explore your inner world, express your emotions, and improve your wellbeing.
“Jo’s patience, understanding, and kind nature allowed me to feel safe and heard.”
Nicole - art therapy retreat participant
Using mindfulness practices, guided meditation, and/or music we quiet the mind and connect to the present moment. Then through exploration of nature and art materials authentic self-expression is created.
The wonderful part is everyone can do this, no prior art experience or skill is necessary. Just your curiosity and willingness to be guided through the process.
“I came not knowing what to expect, and was a little anxious about what would unfold. I needn’t have worried! Jo made the whole experience calm and relaxing.”
Darlene - art therapy retreat participant
Are you feeling lost in life and perhaps unsure of what step to take next - if any? I have helped guide many women in the same situation.
Sometimes we all need a little extra support to help us connect back to our true selves.
Part of the beauty of the work I do is that you don’t have to ‘think or talk about it’. I design sessions that naturally guide you to your inner knowing in a simple, intuitive way.
Retreat from the demands of every day life & immerse yourself in a harmonious blend of creativity and tranquility to support your wellbeing.
Art & Nature Hinterland Retreats include…
Sessions.
Nature-based art therapy sessions are personalised to suit your needs. A total of six hours is divided into three, two hour sessions, spread out over the duration of your retreat.
You can choose from the Wellbeing Workshops or I will design the sessions specifically to suit to your needs. No art experience or skill is necessary so please don’t let that hold you back.
Whether you come by yourself, with a friend, relative, or support person, you may choose to participate individually or together.
Materials.
I supply all art and nature materials that are used in the sessions.
Supplies may include; paper, paint, brushes, crayons, pastels, pens, pencils, magazine, glue, and nature.
You bring your curiosity and a willingness to explore various materials.
Length of stay.
Your choice of 2 or 3 night’s midweek accommodation.
I recommend a 3 night stay as do former retreat participants. This gives you a little extra time to relax and reap the rewards of some time out from everyday life.
Some weekends may be available upon request.
Accommodation.
Ferntree Hollow, a two bedroom self contained guest suite located in the picturesque Sunshine Coast hinterland town of Maleny, Queensland, Australia.
Art & Nature Hinterland Retreat bookings are made directly with me to ensure my availability and for the privacy of the participants.
If you would like to read Ferntree Hollow’s Airbnb reviews or book accommodation only please click here.
Ferntree Hollow is within walking distance of the main street of Maleny, Obi Obi Creek with a platypus viewing deck, and nature walk trails.
The main bedroom has a queen bed and the second bedroom has a double bed with a view of the private courtyard. Both bedrooms have a split system reverse cycle air-conditioner.
The sitting/lounge room has a comfortable two-seater couch with views of the private courtyard and a HD smart TV with Netflix.
The kitchenette is to the side of the sitting room with tea and coffee-making facilities, toaster, microwave, bar fridge, and a sink.
The bathroom is a generous size with a luxurious ball and claw bath and shower with a rainfall shower head.
The private courtyard is a lovely place to relax and unwind on the deck and watch the ferns unfurl.
Art & Nature Hinterland Retreat for One.
Experience the restorative benefits of taking some time out for yourself.
A retreat for one is the perfect way to fully immerse in creating some personal space for self care. Enjoy the entire guest suite to yourself with all art therapy sessions 1:1 with Jo.
“I followed a feeling to book an art therapy retreat with Jo. I have never done anything like this before but some part of me knew I needed to take myself from my norm of life - a retreat for Self. What unfolded over my sessions was mind and heart blowing. I leave with so much insight on what this next phase of my life is about and what I need to do - a new sense of purpose and direction.” Tereasa - retreat for one participant
I am currently offering my *valued newsletter subscribers 20% OFF RETREATS!
Subscribe to my newsletter here
2 nights - $1,499
with 20% off - *$1,199
SAVE $300
3 nights - $1,699
with 20% off - *$1,359
SAVE $340
Art & Nature Hinterland Retreat for Two.
Share your experience with a friend or family. Perfect for best friends, mother & daughter, sisters, aunty & niece, cousins, godmother & daughter, soul sisters, you name it.
Enjoy the privacy of your own bedroom and share the rest of the guest suite and sessions with someone close.
“I was gifted this retreat with my best friend to celebrate my 60th birthday. As we both have experienced emotional trauma over the past couple of years. I came with an open heart to the retreat with hope that I would take away some understand and closure on my trauma. Jo was the perfect guide/teacher, gently guiding us both through deep feelings long tucked away. Surprisingly for me I was able to talk and open up about feelings and the healing activities have left me with a positive outlook, peace in my heart, healing the hurts and a new found insight to my ability to help myself. Throughly enjoyed. Thanks Jo”. Christine - art therapy retreat participant
I am currently offering my *valued newsletter subscribers 20% OFF RETREATS!
Subscribe to my newsletter here
2 nights - $1,199
per participant
with 20% off - *$959
SAVE $240 per participant
3 nights - $1,299
per participant
with 20% off - *$1,039
SAVE $260 per participant
Non-participating guests welcome.
Ferntree Hollow has 2 bedrooms and can sleep up to 4 guests.
If you have a friend, relative, partner, or support person not participating in art therapy but would like to stay please see additional charge below.
2 nights - $80
per non participating guest
3 nights - $120
per non participating guest
All prices are subject
to change and will be confirmed once all information has been received. Discounts may apply under special circumstances.
Art & Nature
Hinterland Retreat
Dates 2025
17-19/20 February - reserved
24-26/27 February
17-19/20 March
7-9/10 April
14-16/17 April - reserved
12-14/15 May
9-11/12 June
July to December - dates not yet released, requests welcome
Request alternative dates
or for any other enquiries click the button below.
Testimonials
Tereasa
“I followed a feeling to book an art therapy retreat with Jo. I have never done anything like this before but some part of me knew I needed to take myself from my norm of life - a retreat for Self.
What unfolded over my sessions was mind and heart blowing.
I leave with so much insight on what this next phase of my life is about and what I need to do - a new sense of purpose and direction”. - art therapy retreat for one participant
Chris
“I was gifted this retreat with my best friend to celebrate my 60th birthday. As we both have experienced emotional trauma over the past couple of years. I came with an open heart to the retreat with hope that I would take away some understand and closure on my trauma.
Jo was the perfect guide/teacher, gently guiding us both through deep feelings long tucked away. Surprisingly for me I was able to talk and open up about feelings and the healing activities have left me with a positive outlook, peace in my heart, healing the hurts and a new found insight to my ability to help myself.
Throughly enjoyed. Thanks Jo”. - art therapy retreat for two participants
Nicole
“I spent three session with a close friend at Jo’s Art Therapy Retreat. We both need guidance and love to process betrayals, disappointments and challenges we were facing in our life.
Jo’s patience, understanding and kind nature allowed us both to feel safe and heard.
The art sessions were enjoyable and fascinating learning how to access our own inner guidance and true self was a very new experience that we throughly enjoyed. Thanks Jo”. - art therapy retreat for two participants
Anonymous
“Jo created a lovely environment to explore my challenges.
The art expression was a great addition to the talking therapy.
The location it is set in is calming and perfect.” - art therapy retreat participant
Kim
“Jo is wonderful at art therapy, she’s definitely meant to help women focus and find the next steps with feeling stuck, overwhelmed or lost sense of Self.
I went back and forth about having one-on-one 3 days with someone I didn’t know and to trust what would come of it and if it would be awkward. Best thing I’ve done in years. Better for me than psychology or self help books/course.
The art we do isn’t about form or technique it’s about describing feeling or issues without words and it’s much easier than I thought and without worrying about what it looks like. It’s the best way to “jump into” or “out of” what’s on your mind (or your feelings) without explaining too much and it coaxes so many things you didn’t associate with or realise the connection.
I left feeling optimistic and that I really did have more direction of where I wanted/needed to go and the inspiration to follow up with what solutions and options to explore with the several competing issues and realising where I am right now and what I can do to get to where I want to be.
Jo’s ability to interact genuinely and prove guidance makes you feel connected to her and the circle of women going through similar things.” - art therapy retreat for one participant
Kaz
“I thoroughly enjoyed the retreat. The sessions made me think and feel safe enough to share things I needed to work through.
Jo is a thoughtful listener and her guidance is calm and non intrusive. The creativity tools used were a lot of fun, and I felt very much at ease just letting creativity flow without any judgement.
The accommodation is beautiful and serene, I felt very pampered.” - retreat for one participant
Darlene
“I came not knowing exactly what to expect, and was a little anxious about what would unfold. I needn’t have worried! Jo made the whole experience calm and relaxing.
The space provided a warm charm which aided in the sense of letting go and being in the moment. Not being an artist I found playing with the different media quite challenging and fun at the same time.
This has given me confidence to go forward and experiment some more! Thank you!!” - retreat for two participants
Carmel
“I feel reminded that I am journeying in the right direction and just need to keep reminding myself of that when things are difficult.
Everything from the garden, to the colours and decor of the accommodation was peaceful and inviting and I leave feeling refreshed, and peaceful.
I really appreciated having the opportunity to share my art therapy journey with my sister.” - 1:1 soulful expressions & retreat for two participants
Let’s work together to rejuvenate your spirit.
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Wattle Bloom Art Therapy
What is art therapy?
Other offerings
Soulful Expressions
1:1 Sessions
Wellbeing Workshops
Consciously created
