33 retreats found
Silent Retreats in Australia
Silent retreats maintain noble silence as a formal structure — no talking, no devices, and often minimal eye contact between participants. The effect is a level of inward depth that group programs or partial silence simply can't replicate. Australia has a respected tradition of silent retreat practice, from Vipassana centres operating in the Goenka tradition to smaller independent centres offering shorter programs for those new to silence.
Browse 33 retreats
View all retreats →Nirvana Wellbeing Retreat
★ 5Beechmont, Queensland
Best for: solo reset
Ancient Ayurvedic healing nestled in the serene Gold Coast Hinterlands.
day · 10-night
Jhana Grove Meditation Retreat Centre
★ 5Serpentine, Western Australia
Best for: digital detox
Secluded Buddhist meditation retreat nestled in forested hills near Perth
weekend · 5-night
Recharge Retreats
★ 5Wentworth Falls, New South Wales
Best for: solo reset
Recharge your body, mind and soul in the healing Blue Mountains.
Day retreat from $99pp; overnight retreats from $549pp; 3-night retreats from $799pp
day · 2-night
'Journeying Within' Retreats Rockhampton
★ 5Emu Park, Queensland
Best for: digital detox
Discover who you truly are and step forward with confidence.
6-night
Awaken Retreats
★ 5Kuttabul, Queensland
Best for: solo reset
A peaceful semi-rural sanctuary for spiritual renewal, reflection, and deeper connection.
day · weekend
International Meditation Centre: Vipassana meditation courses
★ 5Sunshine, New South Wales
Best for: solo reset
Ancient Vipassana meditation teachings brought to modern Australian life
10-night
Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre
★ 5Medlow Bath, New South Wales
Best for: solo reset
Buddhist insight meditation retreats nestled in the serene Blue Mountains.
Panditarama Sydney Meditation Centre
★ 5Horsley Park, New South Wales
Best for: solo reset
A peaceful Sydney sanctuary for mindfulness, insight, and compassionate living.
Free meditation programs offered
day · weekend
Satori Retreat Australia
★ 5Bondi Beach, New South Wales
Best for: solo reset
Dissolve the ego and awaken your true self through deep self-inquiry
4-night · week
HopeÂs View Retreat
★ 5Tapitallee, New South Wales
Best for: solo reset
Peaceful garden retreats nurturing spiritual growth through silence, simplicity and community
Accommodation and meals included in retreat price; specific pricing not listed
day · 2-night
Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage
★ 4.9Kholo, Queensland
Best for: solo reset
Ancient forest tradition meditation just 45 minutes from Brisbane CBD.
day · weekend
Dhamma Ujjala Vipassana Meditation Centre
★ 4.9Emu Flat, South Australia
Best for: digital detox
Find inner clarity through Vipassana meditation in the peaceful Clare Valley.
10-night
Kadampa Meditation Centre Melbourne
★ 4.9Brunswick, Victoria
Best for: digital detox
Authentic Buddhist meditation retreats and teachings in Melbourne's heart.
day · weekend
Happy Buddha Retreats
★ 4.9Wentworth Falls, New South Wales
Best for: solo reset
Wellbeing retreats in the Blue Mountains for body, mind and soul.
Day retreat from $99pp; overnight retreats from $549pp; 3-night long weekend from $799pp
day · 2-night
Vipassana Meditation Centre (Dhamma Rasmi )
★ 4.9Pomona, Queensland
Best for: digital detox
Transform your mind through ancient Vipassana meditation in rural Queensland
No charges for courses; all costs covered by donations from past participants
10-night
Mountain Spring Monastery
★ 4.9Bilpin, New South Wales
Best for: solo reset
Come home to yourself through mindfulness, community, and monastic peace.
day
Dhamma ?loka Vipassana Meditation Centre
★ 4.8Woori Yallock, Victoria
Best for: digital detox
Find inner peace through ancient Vipassana meditation in Victoria's serene Yarra Valley.
No charges for courses, including food and accommodation. Expenses met by donations.
10-night
Dhamsuwa Meditation Centre
★ 4.8Clonbinane, Victoria
Best for: solo reset
Theravada Buddhist meditation and Dhamma teachings rooted in Sri Lankan forest tradition.
day
Kammassaka Zen Monastery & Yoga Ashram
★ 4.8Wootha, Queensland
Best for: solo reset
Find peace and contentment through Zen, Yoga, and mindful living in Maleny.
$99 for day retreat; $350 for 2-night stay including day retreat; $150/night for Rest & Restore (min 3 nights); pay 5 stay 6 offer available
day · 2-night
Sydney Zen Centre
★ 4.8Annandale, New South Wales
Best for: solo reset
Australia's original Zen community offering seated meditation, teachings and seasonal retreats.
seasonal
Vipassana Meditation Centre (Dhamma Bhumi)
★ 4.8Blackheath, New South Wales
Best for: digital detox
Transform your inner world through ancient Vipassana meditation in the Blue Mountains.
No charges for courses, including food and accommodation. Expenses met by donations from past students.
10-night
Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre Central Coast
★ 4.8Kincumber South, New South Wales
Best for: solo reset
Historic bushland sanctuary for spiritual renewal on the Central Coast NSW
Day retreats from $198pp; residential retreats from $1705pp to $2365pp incl GST, accommodation and meals included
day · week
Dhamma Padipa Vipassana Meditation Centre
★ 4.8Jelcobine, Western Australia
Best for: digital detox
Find inner peace through silent Vipassana meditation in Western Australia's rural bushland.
Donation-based only; no charge for teaching, room or board. Donations welcomed at course end.
10-night
Kadampa Meditation Centre Australia
★ 4.8Monbulk, Victoria
Best for: digital detox
Authentic Kadampa Buddhist meditation and retreats in Melbourne's Dandenong Ranges.
day · weekend
Bodhi Chan Meditation Centre
★ 4.8Springwood, Queensland
Best for: digital detox
Discover Chan Buddhism, stillness, and awakening in suburban Brisbane
Meditation, Dharma, and retreats offered free of charge through donations
day · weekend
Dhamma Pabha Vipassana Meditation Centre
★ 4.6Dromedary, Tasmania
Best for: digital detox
Transform within through silent Vipassana meditation in Tasmania's forested hills
No charges for courses; all expenses met by donations only
10-night
Vijayaloka Buddhist Retreat Centre
★ 4.6Minto Heights, New South Wales
Best for: solo reset
Nearly forty years of Buddhist retreat practice in the Australian bush
Weekend retreats from $220â$295pp; longer retreats up to $675/$595pp; working retreats from $75 + donation
weekend · 2-night
International Meditation Centre
★ 4.5Mundaring, Western Australia
Best for: solo reset
Ancient Vipassana meditation practice for modern minds seeking lasting inner peace.
10-night
Nymboida Yoga Retreat
★ 4.5Nymboida, New South Wales
Best for: solo reset
Vegan yoga and spiritual retreats in a secluded 100-hectare NSW valley
Private silent retreat cost is by donation; volunteer stays at no cost but donation appreciated
weekend · week
The Hermitage
★ 4.3Mittagong, New South Wales
Best for: solo reset
A tranquil spiritual haven for prayer, reflection, and genuine renewal.
custom
The Gathering Place, Simply Mindful
★ 4Dickson, Australian Capital Territory
Best for: solo reset
A former convent turned peaceful urban sanctuary for mindfulness and renewal.
Venue hire from $65/hour for a meeting room, $75/hour for whole space; reduced rates for half-day or full-day hire
day · custom
Bodhi Tree Forest Monastery & Vipassana Retreat Centre
★ 3.9Tullera, New South Wales
Best for: solo reset
Ancient Vipassana practice rooted in restored rainforest on Australia's North Coast
Heart Insight
Woolloongabba, Queensland
Best for: solo reset
Explore liberating Buddhist meditation and insight in warm community company
Donation-based (dana tradition); suggested $20 cash contribution towards venue hire for Saturday retreats
day · evening
Common questions
- What does 'noble silence' mean at a retreat?
- Noble silence means refraining from all verbal and non-verbal communication with other participants — including eye contact and gesture — throughout the program. It allows each person to stay inward without social energy pulling them out.
- Can I attend a silent retreat as a complete beginner?
- Yes, though it helps to have some familiarity with sitting quietly, even informally. Some centres ask for prior experience or a basic meditation practice. Read the centre's preparation guide before registering.
- How long are silent retreats in Australia?
- Programs typically run three, five, or ten days. Three-day weekend silent retreats are available at some centres and are a reasonable entry point for those new to the format.
- What should I expect after a silent retreat ends?
- Many participants feel a period of heightened sensitivity, deep calm, or emotional openness for days afterward. Returning to noise and screens abruptly can feel jarring — a gradual re-entry is worth planning for.