Our Retreats
You don’t need more hustle. You need a chair, a book, and no one asking you what’s for dinner.
A Place to Pause is a small, slow reading retreat for women who are ready to opt out — of noise, of burnout, of busy-for-busy’s-sake.
We’re here for the bookish, the burned out, and the ones who can’t remember the last time they read for more than ten minutes without being interrupted.
If you’ve been craving quiet, you’re in the right place.
Here’s what we believe:
-
Rest is not a reward. It’s a right.
-
Reading isn’t a guilty pleasure. It’s a way back to yourself.
-
Joy doesn’t have to be loud.
-
The best weekends involve books, blankets, wine and cheese.
Daylesford Reading Retreat
October 10th-12th 2025
Bookings Open Now!
What if you pressed pause on everything that drains you and gave yourself a weekend designed purely for comfort, calm, and books?
That’s exactly what our October retreat offers: two nights of ease tucked away on 18 acres in Musk, just outside Daylesford, indulgence, and uninterrupted time to rest. No expectations, no demands, just the deep exhale you’ve been needing.
Clunes Book Festival Retreat
March 20th-22nd 2026
Bookings Opening Soon!
Stay with us in historic Clunes during Australia’s only International Booktown Festival. Over one unforgettable weekend, the entire town comes alive with author talks, secondhand treasures, and the hum of readers everywhere you turn. Our retreat home will be your sanctuary away from the bustle — a place to return to for company, conversation, and quiet reading time. Together, it’s the best of both worlds: the energy of a festival and the calm of a retreat.
Mornington Peninsula Summer Retreat
Coming in 2026
Imagine long summer afternoons by the coast, where the sea breeze drifts through open windows and the only decision is which book to pick up next and which floaty to take to the pool. Our Mornington Peninsula retreat is all about slow days, seasonal feasts, and evenings spent by the water as the sun lingers. It’s the kind of summer holiday you’ve always craved - restful, book-filled, and just a little indulgent. Registrations will open soon.
Kinglake Autumn/Winter Retreat
Coming in 2026
Set on 50 private acres in the beautiful Kinglake Ranges, this retreat will be our cosiest yet. Misty mornings call for blankets and hot tea, afternoons invite long stretches of reading with views that roll across the ranges, and evenings end with hearty meals and stories by the fire - we might even throw in some yoga and a massage! Here, life will feel slower, softer, and perfectly suited to books.
Other Ways to Retreat
Not every pause requires a getaway. Whether you’d like to bring the retreat feeling into your home or simply find your next great read, these offerings are designed to give you a taste of stillness and story, wherever you are.
Retreat at Home - Digital or Gift Box
Press pause and create your own reading retreat. Each Retreat at Home includes a personalised book list, guided rituals, playlists, and journaling prompts — everything you need to slow down and savour your stories.
Choose the Digital Edition (delivered by email) or a Physical Box with books from your list, artisanal treats, curated gifts, and an exclusive A Place to Pause tote bag.
Physical boxes shipped within Australia only