Still have questions? View the Happy Buddha FAQs

Even though we recommend attending most workshops to get the full benefits of the retreat, all are optional and our guests are free to occupy their time however they want.

Yes, massages are available during your retreat!

About five days before your retreat, you’ll receive an email inviting you to book your massage online and select your preferred time. This allows you to secure a spot in advance and simply relax when you arrive. If there are still openings, bookings remain available up to two hours before the session begins.

Massages are $120 for one hour and are paid online when you book.

A gentle request from the crew: Please don’t email us regarding the best time to book your massage or for availability. Simply check your retreat timetable (available on each offering page and here) and find a time that suits you. Remember, this is your retreat, so it’s absolutely fine to skip a session for a massage, or of course, organise a massage during your free time, pre or post retreat.

From October 2024, we will hold 3-Night retreats over Long Weekend dates. Check in will be Friday 4pm and check out will be Monday 11am. The Sunday timetable will be similar to Saturday.

Yes, you can! Our yoga and meditation classes are suitable to ALL levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners and you’ll feel included in our classes. If a pose is challenging, we recommend listening to your body and if you need to, just take a lie down or child’s pose (kneeling seat and bowing forward into a comfortable position).

Absolutely. You’ll have an amazing time during your retreat and the best part is, you’ll meet like-minded people. Some people delay retreating because they’re waiting for their friend, but we really recommend you ‘choose courage’ and book this in for yourself. You won’t regret it. All you need to do is choose your date and book your place. As our rooms are twin-share we’ll pair you up with another retreater of the same gender.

If you prefer your own space, or a light sleeper simply add on your $124 per night private room supplement (via our booking platform.)

No, not at all! All retreat programs welcome all genders of all walks of life, except our Full Moon Women’s Retreat – which is a new offering in 2025 and welcoming women-only.

Yes you can, however, we would recommend you speak to your medical practitioner if you have specific concerns. Our yoga teachers will help you to adapt any poses to ensure they are done safely during your pregnancy.

Please note, we do not recommend our Breathwork Retreat for pregnant women due to the controlled breathing techniques used in this healing modality.

In order to keep a consistent group and to enable everyone to speak freely during the meditation talks, the minimum age to take part in our retreat is 16 years old. (The 7-day Drum and Dance Festival will welcome children, however, be sure to find out all of the details from the crew.)

We have had non-English speakers attend retreats, however, you will need to be able to follow the instructions given during the yoga classes and we encourage all retreaters to partake in meditation talks. So it all depends on you, whether you feel able to do this or not.

We welcome you and your partner to experience the Inner Joy retreat! Simply choose a date, book for 2 people and let us know you are retreating together. Please note, we don’t allow partners or friends to stay just for one night. Please note, the Silent Meditation Retreat is an individual journey and not recommended for couples or friends.

As stated on our website, if you are pregnant, have mental health issues, serious health conditions (such as asthma, heart or respiratory illness) or deep traumas, this retreat is unfortunately not for you.

Breathwork is a powerful practice that stirs energy, emotion, and transformation—which is why we ask anyone with health (physical or mental) conditions or taking medication to reflect on whether this retreat is right for you. 

This includes things like asthma, past surgeries, mental health conditions, or if you’re on medications that affect the nervous system. While some conditions may be okay with care, others—like heart disease or epilepsy—mean breathwork isn’t suitable. And due to the deep and controlled breathing rhythms, we gently discourage pregnant women from joining this practice. Just reach out—we’re here to help you feel supported, safe, and seen.

If, by chance, you’ve booked your Breathwork Retreat but now feel it is not right for you, email the crew and we’ll refund you or recommend another retreat offering (at another time).

Our retreats are successful because they allow people to truly rest and not commute, and also because the whole group goes through the same journey from opening to closing.

The exception is our Drum & Dance and Half-Day Retreats, which are designed differently and open to offsite guests.

If you’re local and already attend our community classes, please reach out and we will advise.

We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone, however the leased property does have some limitations.

The main hotel (for Inner Joy, Breathwork, and other specialty retreats) includes one accessible room equipped with a bathroom railing. From the main hallway, there is also one small step up to our dining hall area (with a railing).

If you have specific accessibility needs, please reach out so we can discuss how best to support your retreat experience.

(Unfortunately, the venue for our Silent Meditation and Karalakatai retreats is not suitable as all rooms are located on a second level and the only access is via a large staircase.)

Please make sure you book for both you and your friend when registering via our booking system. This way you can choose a relevant room, twin or double, to suit your needs.

We get it. You can’t help snoring. But the thing is, when you book a twin-share room to share with another retreater, your snoring may become a real issue. It’s best for you to treat yourself to a private room. That way, you can sleep peacefully, knowing you’re not disturbing your room mate. Upgrade to a private room for $124pp per night.

The venue is nestled in the Blue Mountains, approximately 90 minutes by car or 2 and a half hours by train from Sydney city. The nearest town and train station is Wentworth Falls. Our address is: Happy Buddha Retreats, 50 Railway Parade, Wentworth Falls.

You can drive and park at the retreat. Public transport is also convenient. We recommend you catch a train to Leura or Katoomba so you can easily book a taxi to the retreat centre. (Note, there is a train station at Wentworth Falls, however, it can be difficult to organise a taxi from there.) If flying from interstate you can catch a train to Sydney Central. Check 131500.com.au for trip planning and schedules. Read Getting Here and Away for train and car directions. 

Yes! If you’re on time you should get a park just outside the retreat centre in allocated car spots, but if all taken, please drive back up towards the entry gate where you can park on the left in an additional designated parking area. If you’re retreating with a friend we recommend car pooling.

Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer EV charging. For alternatives, the Visit Blue Mountains wesbite has a listing of EV charging stations.

We don’t have wifi at the retreat. We encourage our guests to take a step back and to disconnect from technology for the time of their retreat.

There is no laundry facility for our guests. Any emergency laundry can be done at the laundromat in Wentworth Falls (15 minute walk).

Our pool is not heated. Nice and fresh!

Feel free to bring you own mat and props if you prefer. We have plenty here at the retreat for you to use as well.

We can cater for: vegan, dairy free, gluten free, no onion & garlic and a few mild allergies. Our retreat is not equipped to handle complex protocols such as fodmap, low fructose, keto, no legumes, nightshade allergy as a whole category or anaphylaxis.

You are welcome to bring your own supplements – a fridge is available in the dining hall and accessible at all times. Make sure to write your name on your boxes and to empty the fridge at check-out. Please note: we’re a strictly vegetarian venue.

If you carry an EpiPen or require strict cross-contamination control, make sure to contact us in writing at [email protected] before booking so we can discuss your booking options. We may not be able to cater for severe food allergies.

Currently we don’t offer specialised respite covered under NDIS and therefore not funded.

Absolutely. Please take a look at what’s on offer here and then email us your dates and request at [email protected]

We’re usually closed on Sundays – but if you’re booking a back-to-back retreat that includes a weekend and a Monday-Wednesday program, you can stay on Sunday night for an additional $150 (note: no meals or facilitation are included).

To book a back-to-back retreat, just email us at [email protected] with your retreat dates, room type, and a note that you’d like to add Sunday night.

Yes! You can extend your time by booking back-to-back retreats, like weekend + Monday-Wednesday or Monday-Wednesday + Wednesday-Friday.

If you want to stay an extra Sunday night between those back-to-back retreats, we can arrange that for an additional $150 (meals not included). Just email us your dates, programs, and room type.

Please note, your lunch in between your two retreats is not included.

Smoking is prohibited in the retreat centre hotel and surrounding grounds. Patrons who wish to smoke can do so at the car park located at the top driveway entrance only. We ask that you be extra cautious with disposal of your cigarette.

This three days are for everyone to take a step back with a clear mind. Our retreat is 100% alcohol & recreational drug free in order to create the same safe space for all our retreaters.

We do not allow outside pets on the property. If you have an assistance dog, please email us the relevant and up to date Public Access Test results and qualification and we’ll get back to you with any additional questions and booking link. Please note, we do have two very friendly resident domestic cats who live at the separate retreat house and very occasionally says hi to retreaters at the retreat centre.