Read. Rest. Repeat.
Literary retreats
Literary retreat with
Charlotte Wood
Embrace the rare luxury of time to read quietly, reflect deeply and rest deliciously in a sublime country setting with Charlotte Wood, one of Australia’s leading authors.
.This intimate 3 day retreat is designed for people who love books, who seek space for deep reading and who will cherish inspiring conversation.
Charlotte Wood is the only Australian author to have been short-listed for the Booker Prize in the last ten years with her novel Stone Yard Devotional, which was also listed as a top ten book by the New York Times and Washington Post last year.
Known for her warmth, generosity and lively humour, Charlotte will guide the retreat’s literary conversations - especially on the power of quiet reading to create considered, elegant thinking and a depth of feeling not available to us when we simply skate speedily over the surface of things.
The Retreat Program
Welcome dinner - an inspiring introduction to the weekend with Charlotte reflecting on how her life has been shaped by deep reading and by quiet books of exquisite style and emotion.
Each day there will be a two hour program for thoughtful, engaging discussion with Charlotte in a casual and conversational setting around a single table, These sessions will explore ideas, techniques and the pleasures of reading quietly and deeply.
Unlimited time to explore the short catalogue of quiet reading books which Charlotte has prepared as a base for conversation, or simply indulge yourself in a book which has been teasing you to read.
Each morning a yoga session is offered in the Littlebourne garden to ready the soul and the body for a day of quiet reading ahead.
Serene luxury
Littlebourne is a superb national trust registered homestead with acres of tranquil gardens and five-star boutique hotel style rooms. Each guest room has luxurious appointments and a private ensuite. Littlebourne is on the edge of Bathurst, around 2.5 hours from Sydney,
Guests will enjoy beautifully prepared meals using the freshest local produce and also savour regional wines, locally roasted coffees and blended teas always ready to brew.
Time will be yours, to relax, to read, to talk. Or to simply be still.
Details
Duration - 3 nights from Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 March 2026
Cost - starting from $2,110 depending on room choice - see below
Includes - accommodation, all meals, literary sessions, yoga and refreshments
Places limited - absolute maximum of 12 people
Read. Rest. Repeat.
Because reading deserves time.
Because reading is restorative
Because reading all day is never enough.
For bookings and expressions of interest, please complete the form below.
About Charlotte Wood
Charlotte is the author of seven novels and three books of non-fiction. Her latest novel Stone Yard Devotional was shortlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize, listed as one of the top 10 books of 2025 by both The New York Times and The Washington Post. It has been praised by authors Anne Enright, Sigrid Nunez, Tim Winton, Karen Joy Fowler, Hannah Kent and Paula Hawkins among others.
Charlotte’s previous books include The Luminous Solution, a book of essays on the creative process; the international bestseller, The Weekend; and The Natural Way of Things which won a number of prizes including The Stella Prize and the Prime Minister’s Literary Award, and is being re-released in the US in March. Her features and essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, Literary Hub, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Saturday Paper among other publications.
In 2023 Belvoir Theatre Company staged an adaptation of her novel The Weekend, and her novel The Natural Way of Things featured in ABC Television’s 2021 series The Books That Made Us. Several of her novels are in development for screen and stage adaptations.
Charlotte is an experienced teacher, public speaker and facilitator with a longstanding interest in the creative process. She was made a Member of the Order of Australia for significant services to literature in 2019 and holds a PhD in Creative Writing. She has a long association with the Bathurst region and the Littlebourne hosts, and is delighted to be the guest writer at their first ever Reading Retreat.
You can find out more about Charlotte at her website www.charlottewood.com.au.
Reading retreat booking request
March is full. Pre-register for next reading retreat