Falls Creek Walking Retreat
April 25 - May 2, 2026
This retreat is being run by Victoria Insight Bushwalkers a NFP dedicated to support the Insight Meditation community and bushwalking in Victoria
Dates: 25 April - 2 May, 2026
Venue: Schuss Alpine Club, Falls Creek, Victoria
This retreat will be a time to freshen our hearts and minds, and to open to the rugged beauty of the Alpine National Park.
Our time together will include a mixture of bushwalking in the surrounding area and periods of meditation indoors and outdoors. The plan is to be walking on four days of the retreat and have a full day of silent meditation in the middle of our time together, depending on what the weather does.
Walk Time per day: The walks will not be long, we anticipate about 3 - 4 hours each day of walking, but because of the mountainous terrain around Falls Creek it will be reasonably challenging at times. Walking on a flat track for 3-4 hours is very different from walking in the Alpine National Park for this long. We will be following the well established paths in the park and not going off track at all.
Fitness Level Required: You'll need a reasonable level of fitness to participate and it won't be for you if are just starting a fitness regime after a long time of not doing much. Falls Creek Village sits at an altitude of 1600 metres above sea level and the air is already a little thinner here, making walking a bit more challenging.
What to expect: Each day will involve guided meditations and instructions, a dharma talk, and a movement class of some sort to loosen the body.
Noble Silence
This is not a fully silent retreat. Each day will have periods of silence and also times for connection with others. The bush-walking periods will be mostly in silence with an emphasis on mindful walking. The lunch period will be a talking period and talking is fine before the walk starts and when people get back to the venue. At other times the teachers and/or manager will indicate when we are in silence. There will be silence each evening from about 7pm to breakfast the next morning.
This retreat is suitable for beginner or experienced meditators
Accommodation and Cost
This is a fully residential retreat. Everyone will have their own room and ensuite, except scholarship places who will be sharing with one other. For this retreat, you are welcome to share with your partner or friend. Please let us know when booking if that is what you would like.
About the Venue
Schuss Alpine Lodge is located in Falls Creek Village. Along with ensuite accomodation, all bedding is provided including doonas, pillows, bed linen, towels and bath mats. If needed there are also laundry facilities and dryers at the venue. You are responsible for your own room during your stay.
There's also a sauna to relax in after a long days walk!
Schuss Lodge has a residential live-in manager who lives there with his wife and child so we will be sharing the space with them. So unlike many Insight Meditation retreats, outside of scheduled meditation periods there may be people talking and going about their lives respectfully within the lodge, so please allow for this.
Bookings
Scholarships: We have a couple of scholarship places for people in sincere financial need. Please fill in the retreat application form and indicate on that you would like to apply. Scholarship rooms will be share rooms with one other person.
Bookings for this retreat are by application. If you'd like to apply, click on the link below and fill out the form. Once you've done this, we'll get back to you as soon as we can. Once your application has been reviewed and accepted, we'll then send you a booking and payment link.
Retreat Cost
Single ensuite room $1450
Twin Share ensuite with a friend/partner $1100
Scholarship Place $750 - (use the application form to apply)
Retreat Details
Meditation Cushions
Chairs and meditation Cushions (aka zabutons and zafus) to sit on for sitting meditation will be provided. You don't need to bring them.
Yoga Mats
Bring your own
Work period ~ Insight meditation retreats are run on a non-profit basis, so in this way we are able to keep the costs down. Therefore In the same spirit we ask that everyone who comes to our retreats contributes approximately one hour of their time each day towards the running of the retreat. This may be anything from washing up, veggie chopping, cleaning or something else connected with running the retreat. We thank you in advance.
Drugs and Alcohol
This retreat is a drug and alcohol free zone. We have no judgement about these things but this is not a place for alcohol or recreational drugs of any description. If you're after that then we recommend you find another event that might suit your needs.
Please note: If you are in the midst of a life trauma, emotional upheaval or instability that might require individual support beyond our scheduled meetings with teachers, this retreat format may not be a good match at this time. Should you have any questions about this, please contact us via email
Cancellations
If for any reason you are unable to attend the retreat please inform us as early as possible, in case someone else may be able to participate.
Refund policy
All bookings are subject to a non-refundable deposit of $200. Please read the cancellation policy below before booking.
All refunds will be processed using the card you paid with.
These are the conditions of cancellation that apply for this retreat.
- Cancellation 30 Days or more before the retreat: Full refund minus your deposit of $200
- Cancellation less than 30 Days before the Retreat start date, there is no refund unless we find someone to fill your space.
Do you have other questions? First read the FAQ's below
FAQ's
I have very specific dietary needs, (eg Fodmaps) can you cater for special diets?
We can offer a simplified diet that often satisfies most special needs, including Fodmaps. If in doubt, please send us an email to clarify before booking.
Food: To help you make the most of the retreat, we will provide 3 nutritious vegetarian (includes dairy) meals each day and this is included in the cost. Vegan, Gluten Free & Dairy Free can also be catered for and you can indicate this in the booking process. Please note we don't and can't cater for individual preference eg. I would like 2 eggs fried with spinach and sourdough.
I snore... what can I do?
Excepts for scholarship places, all rooms are single with ensuite
Do I have to bring all my bedding?
No, all bedding is provided.
With meditation, do I have to sit on the floor on a meditation cushion?
No, there will be more than enough chairs to sit on. We encourage you to find a posture in meditation that allows you to be comfortable and easy.
Will there be sitting cushions and mats provided.
There will be some meditation mats and cushions available. You will need to bring your own yoga mat.
I've never meditated before & I'm worried it will be too much. Can anyone come along?
Yes ... Meditation instructions are the same for everyone. We can assist with things from finding the right posture for you, through to clarifying the meditation instructions.
Can I do just part of the retreat or I would like to arrive late.
No, for all sorts of reasons. Your respect for this is deeply appreciated as late arrivals puts pressure onto the retreat staff and teachers. If you are planning on coming to the retreat, please plan on arriving on time and staying for the whole retreat. If you can't do this please wait for a future retreat.
I'm coming to the retreat with my partner/friend, can we share a room?
Yes, for this retreat you can. Please indicate this on the application form.
Do you have a rideshare option to get to the retreat and back home again?
We always attempt to organise rides where needed, we don't guarantee a ride, but it usually works out somehow. It all depends on where you are coming from and where the other lifts are leaving from. When you sign up for the retreat, you can put yourself on the "ride needed list" and we'll do our best to put you in touch with someone who is willing to take an extra. If in doubt, please be in touch and we'll see what's available.
If you have other questions Click here to email us
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