Our Story
Relax. Reconnect. Rejuvenate at Happy Buddha Retreats
Where you’ll rediscover what makes you feel truly alive.
Est. 1998
Our story begins…
Happy Buddha Retreats, as we know it in Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains, has its beginnings some twenty years ago.
It was 1997 when, out of the blue, 21-year-old Athil Singh received a health diagnosis for stress and anxiety.
On a mission to manage his condition with something more wholesome, Athil decided to try his first yoga class. For him, yoga was a mysterious thing, but he was willing to try it. The class led him to his first teacher, well-known Cronulla surfer and yoga teacher, Mark Breadner.
Athil saw that Mark understood the mind and body in a deeper way than most people, plus he also meditated and ran yoga retreats. From that first class, Athil was hooked.
Attending Mark’s classes showed Athil that it was possible to live a different kind of life, one lived with intention. He trained as a yoga teacher with the intention to run retreats. The seed for Happy Buddha Retreats was planted with the first yoga retreat run at a farm stay in Sydney in 1998.
A quest for a life less ordinary
“I felt like the main character, Sonny Kapoor, in the movie ‘The Marigold Hotel’! Think of a young guy, running a business on a shoestring but with a great sense of humour, an upbeat attitude and charismatic personality!”
Athil, on the early days of running retreats
The dream takes root
Bringing a mission and dream to life
A few years in, Athil had run several retreats in rented beach-side properties. Several people had joined to help him run these events, the OG retreat staff who are still with us today.
As Athil hosted more yoga retreats in and around Sydney, he saw the need for a permanent retreat centre. One day, the stars aligned! An amazing place appeared on the rental market in beautiful Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains. And in true Happy Buddha style, Athil set an intention and began putting roots down.
Wentworth Falls, NSW
Soul-nourishing retreats in the Blue Mountains
Today, Happy Buddha Retreats in Wentworth Falls NSW is helping others get started on their quests to live a life less ordinary.
As the proud owner, Athil has dedicated over a decade to creating inclusive, judgment-free spaces for self-discovery and fun. A yoga teacher, TaKeTiNa practitioner and keen African drummer, Athil uses rhythm as a gateway to self-discovery. With a playful approach to meditation, he embodies intentional living, connection and authenticity in all that he does.
Echoing Athil’s ethos to help guests rediscover and reconnect with themselves, you’ll find inspirational quotes delighting you on the walls and floors, a cosy fireplace perfect for endless mugs of chamomile tea, and an amazing lap pool to help you float your cares away. As night draws close, rooms with boho-chic, rustic interiors and comfortable beds invite you to fall deeply to sleep.
Spring vibrancy is on it's way!
Explore our retreats
Inspiring retreat programs to get your happy back.
3-NIGHT
OCTOBER
LONG WEEKEND
from $799pp
2-NIGHT
INNER
JOY RETREAT
from $549pp
LIVE MUSIC
GOOD VIBRATIONS
RETREAT
from $649pp
2-NIGHT SILENT
MEDITATION
RETREAT
from $649pp
AFRICAN
DANCE + DRUM
FESTIVAL
Various Packages
In addition to retreats, we offer casual, drop-in yoga classes and workshops for the local community in and around the Blue Mountains, plus the occasional overseas adventure.
Explore our retreats
Cosy retreat programs to get your happy back.
2-NIGHT INNER JOY RETREAT from $549pp
Find Inner Joy through yoga, meditation insights, drumming,
connection and... laughter!
BLUE MOUNTAINS
2-NIGHT SILENT MEDITATION RETREAT from $649pp
Kick start your way to living every day aware, connected and present.
FULL MOON WOMENS RETREAT from $549pp
Connection, creativity and ritual.
2-NIGHT BREATHWORK RETREAT from $549pp
A transformative program including breathwork, yoga and plenty of R&R.
2-NIGHT BUSH WALKING RETREAT from $549pp
Follow your bliss - A bush adventure.As featured in
Lovely words
What our guests say
Connect with us over on IG! #HappyBuddhaRetreats
Helping guests to restore balance at Happy Buddha Retreats
The Inner Joy Retreat is the perfect first stop for guests feeling stressed and burned out. This 2 night, 3 day retreat allows the perfect opportunity to disconnect from a hectic, technology driven life and find inner joy. Guests leave Happy Buddha Retreats feeling stretched, rested and revitalised.
As you walk to the dining room to feed your body and mind your eyes are drawn to this beautiful floor mosaic that spells out a Happy Buddha mantra of sorts…
"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."
“Absolutely loved this experience. I did the silent retreat (journey into stillness) and found it perfect. Facilitator Peter was amazing, beds so comfy, food was incredible. Coupled with toasty warm fires (winter), a beautiful mountains setting and an informative and well planned meditation program, I highly recommend you do this 2 day retreat. I came away so restored and with lots of tools and techniques to continue the journey at home.!”