gathered retreat at lake hawea view, new zealand, 11th - 16th april 2027
when did we start needing an excuse to say “yes” to the adventure?
consider this retreat your personal invitation
Life has a way of filling every moment – whether it’s the washing, the endless emails, or being the one that everyone relies on. At some point, saying “Yes” started to feel indulgent at best, and at worst, impossible.
Gathered Retreat is your gentle reminder that saying "Yes" to yourself doesn't have to wait until life finally slows down.
It’s six unhurried days where beautiful food, inspiring landscapes, generous people and creativity come together, so you can remember what it feels like to choose yourself because you can.
saying “yes” doesn’t change your whole life overnight
but one yes at a time, it can change how you see it
A morning coffee overlooking the lake.
Fresh bread still warm from the oven.
Conversations that continue long after dinner has finished.
A landscape that quietly reminds you there's still so much of the world - and yourself – left to discover.
You'll certainly return home with new baking skills and beautiful memories. But perhaps the greatest thing you'll bring home is the reminder that saying yes to yourself was never something you needed permission for.
what to expect
For six days, this stunning home overlooking Lake Hāwea becomes yours to enjoy. With sweeping mountain views, cosy living spaces, underfloor heating and room to spread out, it's a place designed to help you slow down from the moment you arrive.
a beautiful home to return to each day
creativity without pressure
We'll spend time baking, decorating and learning together, but there'll never be pressure to keep up or get everything perfect.
Whether you're trying something new or building on years of experience, curiosity is always more important than perfection.
learn from generous teachers
Throughout the week you'll learn alongside people who genuinely love sharing what they know.
Simone from The Cupcake Floristry will bring her beautiful buttercream floristry to New Zealand, while Catherine from Vintage Sugarcraft will guide a relaxed morning of baking fresh soda breads, celebrating the simple pleasure of making something to share.
photography woven naturally throughout the week
Photography isn't another class squeezed into the schedule. It's simply part of the experience.
Together we'll style what we've made, capture the changing landscape, notice beautiful light and preserve the memories that deserve to come home with you.
space to simply be
The week has been thoughtfully paced, leaving room for the moments you can't schedule.
Some evenings are spent lingering around the dining table. Others are left completely open so you can rest, read, walk beside the lake or simply enjoy having nowhere else to be.
time to explore
Some of the most memorable moments happen away from the kitchen.
We'll enjoy a winery lunch, visit a local lavender farm, wander beautiful landscapes and leave plenty of room for those spontaneous moments that can't be planned but often become the stories you tell when you get home.
the people you'll spend the week learning alongside
Each woman brings their own perspective, techniques and stories, helping shape a week that's richer because of the people gathered around the table.
simone
The Cupcake Floristry
Beautiful buttercream floristry, generous teaching and the kind of encouragement that reminds you every expert once started as a beginner.
catherine
Vintage Sugarcraft
A slow morning of baking beautiful soda breads, celebrating the simple joy of making something with your hands and sharing it around the table.
mel
Meloo
Hosting, photography, styling, and quietly bringing together all the little moments that transform a beautiful trip into an unforgettable experience.
all you need to do is get here
all you need to do is get here
the rest, we’ve taken care of
Included in your retreat ticket:
Five nights in a beautiful private home overlooking Lake Hāwea, including airport transfers from Queenstown.
Most meals prepared throughout the week (yes, we can accommodate dietary requirements).
All baking and creative workshops.
A trip to a local winery.
Lavender farm visit.
Welcome gift.
flexibility
Your passport, VISA (if required), flights, travel insurance, activities outside the retreat and personal spending money are yours to organise.
everything else is ready and waiting for you...
everything else is ready and waiting for you...
your investment
A $1,500 deposit secures your place, with flexible payment plans available for the remaining balance – so you can plan your adventure in a way that works for you.
premium private room
$5700
standard private room
$5000
twin share room
$4500
Only 10 guests will join this experience, allowing the week to remain intimate, relaxed and personal.
11–16 April 2027
Lake Hāwea, Wānaka, New Zealand
this retreat is more than a creative retreat in new zealand
it's about what happens when you step outside your everyday routine and say yes to something you've quietly wanted to do for a long time…
The mountains will stay in your photographs.
The recipes will find their way into your kitchen.
The memories will make you smile.
But perhaps the greatest thing you'll bring home is the reminder that life still has room for new experiences, new places and new versions of yourself.
life rarely clears a space on its own
Sometimes the only way to make room for something extraordinary is to say yes before it feels convenient.
If you've been waiting for the right time to choose yourself,