Wellbeing Retreats

Wellbeing Retreats for the Soul

Are You experiencing a major life transition? Feeling unvalidated?

From your seat on the watertaxi you are leaving the stresses of city life behind and immersing yourself in a stunning natural environment. You’ll experience life like a local at a hidden, off-grid gem on the famous Queen Charlotte Track. This transformative trip is ideal for solo women walkers and provides opportunity for creative expression, yoga and meditation, as well as space for goal planning and rest during major life transitions. I particularly offer support and walk alongside women experiencing disenfranchised grief; grief that is not socially validated.

Interview with Hike Like A Woman

Watch Debbie's interview with Rebecca from Hike Like a Woman, USA.

Come and Bathe in the Forest*

*Forest bathing - engaging the senses & being immersed in the forest

"The Studio"

Unplug from your device and reconnect with yourself. Endeavour Inlet's first and only solar powered wellbeing studio. where you can tread with a light footprint. The studio has stunning views and is a beautiful sanctuary to slow down and integrate body, mind and spirit. Activities include yoga, meditation, and mindful creative expression. Ideal for solo woman walkers. Book your restorative retreat.

"The Gym"

Walking is great for wellbeing and there are no cars here in our Brilliant Backyard! The air is fresh and clean and the beauty uplifting. Work out independently at our stunning "gym" on the Queen Charlotte Track. Independent hikes vary from 30 min. to 5 hours. Guided meditative walks in the native forest near the well-being studio are also available.

"...stunningly scenery..!"

"The Pool"

Cool off with an independent swim in the "pool" at a local beach. Be inspired by the stunning scenery and bluewater of Endeavour Inlet. You might see dolphins and surface with real seaweed in your hair! (The studio has an en suite bathroom for changing.)

"I swam off the jetty and went in three times...it was beautiful!" ~ from a guest after enjoying a refreshing dip off our jetty.

Time to Pamper

Post swim, enjoy your DIY body pampering with indoor, hot showers and local, Marlborough-made botanical soaps and lotions.

Sharing My Brilliant Backyard

Connect with yourself and the natural world. Enjoy "tea on the track", with yoga and stunning views on a private deck at Bluewater Lodge.

Meet the Mailboat

Don’t just observe the locals as you pass through the Inlet on the track or the mailboat. Come and live like one; embrace the opportunity to get close to the natural world. Re-kindle your imagination, set your intentions and mail these to yourself via the mailboat.

Manaakitanga & Your Host

Debbie Early, PhD will be your warm and welcoming guide & has designed the world class, eco-retreats to allow for rest, self-reflection and personal development. Debbie is an artist and scientist. She has a background in bio-medical science with international research and experienced in contemplative pedagogy education. She is also trauma-informed and has a Diploma in Holistic Health with grief training. A customized virtual retreat option is available; enquire.

Kaitiakitanga

The studio is located with its own entrance at Debbie's boat access only, off-grid, solar powered home, overlooking stunning views of Endeavour Inlet. The Fraemohs home building design, with sustainably grown New Zealand timber, considers natural light and passive heating, local, spring water and onsite wastewater treatment. Care is given to human impact on water, soil, air, the native plants, birds and night sky.

Giving back to the Community

Care for the Earth. Support Endeavour Inlet Conservation Trust or, as we are boat access only, support the Coastguard or the Rescue Helicopter.

Wellbeing Retreats - Proposed In-Person Program, Terms & Conditions

Are you ready to embark on a journey of rest, reflection, self-discovery and personal growth? Are you wanting to forge a deeper connection with the people and places you visit?

During the summer months, and for a limited time only, I open my physical studio and offer 2-night, in-person eco-retreats to coincide with the mailboat schedule. I unveil hidden secrets in our enchanting, brilliant backyard. This Wellbeing Retreat, the first of its kind in the world, is designed to provide you with a transformative experience that will have a lasting impact. Curated for the adventurous inner and outer explorer, you'll discover the unique experience of our off-grid access sanctuary with stunning views, in the company of a knowledgeable and welcoming local. Drawing from my international and local experiences I have crafted an harmonious, nature-rich, spacious, immersive, 1-1 experience to inspire imagination and to allow for creative expression and design to catalyze ideas to benefit wellbeing. The retreat intentionally incorporates evidence-based pathways to wellbeing. I particularly offer support and walk alongside women experiencing disenfranchised grief; grief that is not socially validated.

Tues. 3pm – Thurs. 10 am (Summer only)

Day 1 AM

Board the mailboat in Picton and take an intentional, freedom (unguided) day walk from Ship Cove (or arrive directly at our jetty in the afternoon).

Day 1 PM

Arrive at our sanctuary. Collect your bags from the jetty. Enjoy tea on your private deck.

Ground yourself on the first evening with a guided, gentle Yoga Nidra class and deep breathing.

Set your intentions for your stay.

Day 2 AM

Spend a full morning engaging in guided reflection writing, gratitude practices, creative expression and life planning.

Day 2 PM

Meet the mailboat and mail a letter of gratitude to someone you care about. Collect any supplies you've ordered. Be prepared to slow down and lean into "Sounds Time".

Be inspired by daytime blues and greens and feel a sense of awe as you gaze at the night sky. Stay a second night to rest your body and mind and nourish your goals.

Day 3 AM

Integrate what you have learnt and closing.

Depart on the morning mailboat feeling energized, inspired and transformed.

BYO everything you need including gear and clothing for changing weather conditions, food, an open heart and mind, writing tools and a journal.

Please book your own watertaxi and be prepared to collect your own bag and groceries from the jetty.

I provide the necessities of a warm bed, fresh linens, a hot shower, yoga mat, hot tea and journaling/mindful creation expression space.

Please bring a small notebook and a pen if you wish to take notes. You may check your phone during breaks or in your room. Electronic devices (phones and laptops) are not permitted during the guided portions. A signed retreat waiver is required. Please note we live close to the fluctuations of nature and flexibility, a reasonable level of fitness and common sense are important. Given our remote location rubbish removal is not easy, so please be prepared to pack out what you bring in. Full refund for cancellations made within 48 hours of booking, if the check-in date is at least 14 days away. 50% refund for cancellations made at least 7 days before check-in. No refunds for cancellations made within 7 days of check-in. The program here is a guide and may be subject to minor changes to meet circumstances at the time of your stay.

This retreat is put together with years of experience and thought so please tell people if you pick up new ideas here.

A portion of the fee you pay will go to support our local community, specifically the Rescue Helicopter, Coastguard, or local Conservation Trust. Feel free to let me know if you have a preference.

As a mother, carer, educator, semi-empty-nester, adult orphan, professional woman and previous spinal cord patient I understand some of the challenges of life as a woman and bring compassion and a human touch. Obviously it is also wonderful to join me if you are already feeling great, just need a bit of rest and rejuvenation or want to enjoy a beautiful environment!

Book your adventure now.

"Know all the theories, master all the techniques, but as you touch a human soul be just another human soul" ~ C.G. Jung

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