Yarra Valley Meditation
& Mindfulness Retreat.

Imagine a quiet, nurturing weekend where you can relax deeply, learn to meditate, (or deepen your existing practice), and enjoy mindful movement, lesiurely walks and nourishing food.

6:00pm, Friday 12th — 10:00am, Tuesday 16th March, 2027.

2027 Dates

6:00pm, Friday 12th — 10:00am, Tuesday 16th March.

Venue

The retreat will be held at the Don Bosco Retreat Centre, just a few minutes out of Lysterfield, in the Yarra Valley.

It takes about 40 minutes to travel by car from the Melbourne CBD.

What’s It Like On Retreat

The retreat provides an opportunity to unplug from your busy day-to-day life and have well deserved time away from the constant demands and obligations of work and home.

More than a holiday, the retreat environment offers ideal conditions for self-care, reflection and deep rest.

Rest, relax, reset: experience a day on retreat in 60 seconds…

Teachers & Approach

The retreat is led by two warm, friend and experienced teachers: Matthew Young and Deb Amos.

They’ve designed the retreat to be a perfect place for you to rest, relax and restore your wellbeing.

Whilst on retreat you won’t have to worry about a thing. All your needs will be taken care of and you’ll get to enjoy a simple, slower pace of life. Your meals will be lovingly prepared by our expert chefs and you’ll be able to take time out to sleep, read or enjoy the beautiful natural location.

The atmosphere on retreat is friendly and laid-back. You don’t have to get up before dawn, or sit in silence for hours on end. Nor will you have to endure long talks, a demanding schedule or bland food.

In fact, chocolate chip cookies and coffee are available all day (and night), and you’ll be able to lie down or enjoy the comfort of a couch, even in the meditation hall.

Matt and Deb will be able to offer you valuable insights into your meditation practice. They’ll share unique an innovative approaches to meditation, introduce you to helpful concepts and techniques, and facilitate discussions in which you’ll be able to hear and learn from your fellow retreat participants.

Meals

Three hearty vegetarian meals are provided each day, along with a variety of teas, coffee and snacks. We can cater for those with special dietary needs, including those requiring vegan or gluten, wheat and dairy-free meals.

What To Expect

On retreat there will be meditation and deep relaxation sessions, mindful movement practices, as well as talks and group discussion. Free time will be available for you to walk, read or do as you please.

Note that outside of the talks and group discussions the retreat is conducted in silence. This doesn’t mean that you can’t talk; but it does mean that you are encouraged to respect the wishes of other participants for quiet (especially in and around the dorm rooms, within the meditation hall and in the dining area and kitchen).

I wanted to thank you for the experience on retreat. I was a little hesitant coming and had no idea what to expect, but you were both so warm and interested that I felt really at ease.

I feel like I got a great crash course in meditation and a deeper understanding of what meditation could do for me. The weekend was so peaceful and I’ve managed to carry a lot of that home with me. I’m sleeping better, calmer with my family, and feel less stressed by work.

I also appreciated the connection with a group of like minded people and the way you and Deb facilitated that without “taking over” and imposing your way on us as we discovered what worked for us.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

—  Sarah Pullan

Accommodation

At Don Bosco you can choose to stay in a single or twin room (with shared toilet and shower facilities). There are also a limited number of flats (with ensuite) available . The venue is smoke and alcohol free.

“The retreat was exactly what I needed — a place to relax and switch off my ‘doing’ brain. The meditations taught me to make space in my head from all the constant thought and left me much more refreshed than just a weekend away.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

—  Rebecca Hale

Getting There

It takes roughly 40 minutes to get to the Don Bosco Retreat Centre from the Melbourne CBD (via the M1).

We will make every effort to arrange lifts for those who do not have their own car.

If lifts aren’t available you can catch the train (Belgrave Line) to Ferntree Gully. Once you have arrived call Matt on 0410 562 843 and we will come and pick you up. The train trip from Flinders St takes roughly 50 minutes.

Reserve Your Place Today

There are a variety of rooms available at Casa Pallotti. Each room can accomodate between four and eight people in single beds.

If you would like one of these rooms for yourself you can book a Private Room.

If you’d like to share a room with one other person, you can book a Twin Room.

All other rooms are shared, but we rarely put more than three or four people in a room, even when there are eight beds available.

You can also elect to stay offsite, at Palotti College (500m away) or at a nearby B&B.

Note that Private Rooms usually book out well in advance.

To check last minute availability or to put your name on a waiting list, contact: matt@melbournemeditationcentre.com.au / 0410 562 843

All prices are per person, and include 4 nights accommodation, all meals and all other expenses.

Double Rooms are available for couples or friends wishing to share a room.
Rooms will only be reserved if you pay at the time of booking.

Private Room

with Ensuite Bathroom
$1495
Fully Booked

Private Room

with Shared Bathroom
$1095
Fully Booked

Double Room

with Ensuite Bathroom
$995
Register Now

Double Room

with Shared Bathroom
$895
Register Now

“Thanks to Matt and Debbie for the incredible four-day retreat. It was my first one but most definitely not my last.

Matt was great in helping build a meaningful practice, combining thought-provoking discussions on the practice of meditation with varied sessions to help build my practice. I’ve gone from sitting frustrated for 10 minutes to enjoying calmness and tranquillity for half an hour in 4 days. Magic!”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

—  Nick H.

“Matt and Debbie provided us with an incredible experience. Their expertise in meditation and mindfulness was invaluable in deepening my own meditation practice and allowing myself to grow more personally.

There’s also plenty of time for you to enjoy the natural scenery, delicious meals and your own company.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

—  April G.