RISE THROUGH GRIEF RETREAT
SUNSHINE COAST
We welcome you with open arms to our
Rise Through Grief Retreat on the Sunshine Coast…
A Sanctuary for Your Grief
You don’t have to carry this alone…
Grief touches every part of who we are - body, mind, heart, and soul.
In a world that often rushes us to “move on,” this retreat offers something profoundly different:
A sacred pause
A space to be held
A gentle return to yourself
Whether your loss is fresh or decades old, this is a space where you can feel deeply, rest fully, and be supported through the messy, beautiful, and transformative journey of grief.
You are not broken — you are grieving. And you are so welcome here.
Rise Through Grief Retreat
11 September - 15 September 2025
(4 nights / 5 days)
Located at the stunning Amara Retreat
81 Litfin Road, Verrierdale, Sunshine Coast
Amara Retreat is a breathtaking 44-acre sanctuary tucked away in the Noosa Hinterland, embraced by nature’s quiet stillness - inviting deep rest, reflection, and healing. Here, grief is honoured, emotions can soften, and the journey toward renewal begins.
All guests will stay in the rooms within the beautiful Queenslander house.
What to Expect
Guided Healing Sessions with Compassionate Grief Facilitators:
Explore your emotions in a sacred, safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment
One-on-one sessions and group sharing sessions to connect with others experiencing loss
Workshops and Activities:
Journalling / creative writing to process emotions and thoughts
Art therapy to explore grief through creative expression and express emotions
Guided somatic sessions to shift grief and emotions
Guided discussions on coping strategies, grief stages, and self-care
Mind-Body Practices:
Gentle yoga and somatic movement tailored for emotional release and relaxation
Meditation and mindfulness for grounding and presence
Gentle breathwork to release tension and promote calm
Sound healing to promote balance and relaxation
Nature and Outdoor Experiences:
Guided and self-guided nature walks to connect with the healing power of the outdoors
Outdoor meditative spaces
Opportunities for reflection in serene settings
Connection:
Sharing your story with others who truly understand your grief
Building bonds that foster hope and resilience
Practical Tools:
Strategies for navigating grief in your daily life and finding renewed purpose
Wellness:
Intuitive massage to release tension and emotions, and to promote calm and relaxation
Nourishing meals support your healing journey, prepared with care to bring comfort, warmth, and balance to both body and soul
Healing and Tribute Ceremonies:
Grief and loss tribute ceremony
Stargazing and fire ceremony to honour lost loved ones / losses in life
Whether your loss is recent or you’ve been carrying it for years, this retreat offers a chance to reconnect with yourself and find hope in a supportive community.
What’s Included
4 nights / 5 days accommodation at the stunning Amara Retreat on the Sunshine Coast.
3 fresh and nourishing meals daily (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and snacks, catering to all dietary requirements.
Welcome gift bag filled with thoughtful heart-centred goodies
Full use of the property facilities, including a magnesium salt pool, steam room, fire pit, and exploration of 5 nature-infused walking tracks on the 44-acre property, plus beautiful dams and a 4000 sqm lake to sit by or swim in.
Daily guided mindful grieving yoga therapy / meditation / arts therapy / sound therapy sessions in the beautiful yoga studio overlooking the hinterland and out in nature.
Daily sacred group circle / connection sessions.
One-hour intuitive healing massage.
Plenty of peaceful spaces for personal reflection, restoration, and solitude.
The Retreat Venue
Amara Retreat is a 44-acre private retreat facility in the beautiful Noosa Hinterland offering stunning 180-degree views to the North across to Noosa. It is only 20 minutes from Maroochydore Airport, 10 minutes to Peregian Beach, and 20 minutes Noosa.
The stunning Queenslander home immediately puts you at ease, offering a homely and nurturing atmosphere with an elegant yet rustic charm. There are plenty of spaces to relax and unwind, both inside the house, on the expansive decks that overlook the hinterland, and throughout the property’s nature trails, tranquil dams, and serene lake.
This retreat space was chosen with deep intention. Nestled in nature, it's a rustic and charming sanctuary that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and come home to yourself. There’s a simplicity here that feels grounding, like a gentle return to what truly matters. With its warm, homely touches and comforting atmosphere, this place wraps around you like a soft blanket. It’s real, soulful, and deeply healing. Surrounded by trees, hinterland views, fresh air, and quiet moments, it offers the perfect backdrop for doing the tender, sacred work of grief. It’s a place where time seems to soften and space opens up - for feeling, for rest, and for gentle transformation.
The Accommodation
Accommodation is twin share in beautifully rustic rooms, thoughtfully designed with nature in mind. Each space invites warmth and simplicity, allowing you to unwind and reconnect in a serene and natural setting.
This retreat house is a sanctuary for healing, a space where rustic charm meets elegant comfort, wrapping you in warmth and peace. Thoughtfully designed to nurture both body and soul, it offers a haven for those navigating grief. The inviting lounge room, with its cozy fireplace, provides a comforting place to gather, reflect, or simply be. A beautiful indoor dining table overlooks the hinterland, offering moments of stillness and connection over nourishing meals.
Step outside onto the spacious decks, where another dining space allows you to breathe in fresh air and take in nature’s quiet embrace. Scattered daybeds and cozy seating areas invite you to rest, journal, or gently process your emotions, surrounded by the soothing sounds of nature. Here, you are held in a space that allows you to grieve, heal, and begin to rediscover lightness in your heart.
The Facilities
The retreat venue is designed to support your grief journey with spaces that invite rest, reflection, and renewal. Immerse yourself in the healing embrace of nature, whether by taking a gentle swim in the magnesium salt pool, known for its soothing and restorative properties, or allowing the warmth of the steam room to help release the weight of grief held in the body.
Surrounded by tranquil landscapes, you’ll find solace in peaceful nature walks, winding through 44 acres of lush hinterland. Take time to sit in quiet contemplation by the dams or the expansive 4000 sqm sacred lake, where the still waters mirror your emotions, offering a space to simply be.
Throughout the retreat, you’ll discover inviting sitting areas designed for solitude or heartfelt connection, as well as a fire pit where we gather under the stars, sharing stories, warmth, and the collective support of those who truly understand.
Guiding You Through Grief & Holding Space for Your Healing
Meet Melissa – Founder of Holistic Grief Wellness / Rise Through Grief Retreat Facilitator
Melissa is the heart behind Holistic Grief Wellness, a space born from her own deeply personal encounter with profound loss. After the sudden passing of her beloved husband in 2021, Melissa embarked on a life-changing path of healing and self-discovery. Her grief cracked her open, but it also awakened a powerful calling to help others who are walking a similar path.
As she searched for retreats that honoured the full experience of grief, ones rooted in holistic healing and led by qualified, compassionate professionals, Melissa discovered a gap. She noticed how limited and rare these spaces were. Inspired to help fill that need, she created a supportive, sacred environment where grievers are welcomed just as they are, embraced with compassion and offered practices to gently nurture the mind, body, and soul.
Melissa brings together lived experience and extensive professional training. She is a qualified Holistic Grief Counsellor, Creative Arts Therapist and Group Facilitator, Mindful Grieving Yoga Therapist and Group Facilitator, Yoga and Meditation Teacher, and Sound and Vibrational Healing Practitioner. With deep empathy and authenticity, she walks alongside those navigating the heartbreak of loss, offering comfort, insight, and gentle guidance.
She believes strongly in the mind-body-spirit connection, and in the power of community. Through group storytelling, creative expression, somatic movement, and stillness, Melissa helps grievers reconnect with themselves and others in meaningful ways. She knows how consuming grief can be, and she’s here to remind you that healing is possible.
With Melissa, you’ll find safety, warmth, and understanding. She would be honoured to support you on your healing journey and invites you to join her at the next retreat, a sacred space to express and process your grief and begin the tender process of restoration and inner renewal.
Nourishing Your Body & Soul
Meet Ally – Our Amazing Retreat Caterer (Retreat Catering by Ally)
At the heart of your retreat experience is beautifully crafted, nourishing food made with love. Our retreat caterer, Ally, is passionate about creating wholesome, soul-nourishing meals that support your healing journey. With a deep understanding of how food can provide comfort, she carefully prepares fresh, seasonal, and nourishing meals designed to nourish both body and spirit.
Every meal is crafted with intention, using high-quality fresh ingredients that cater to a variety of dietary needs. From warming, grounding meals to light, revitalising dishes, Ally ensures that each bite is not only delicious but also deeply supportive of your wellbeing.
Throughout the retreat, you’ll be nurtured through food that offers warmth, balance, and nourishment, allowing you to focus on your healing, knowing you are cared for.
Rejuvenating Healing Through Intuitive Touch
Meet Amber – Our Intuitive Massage Therapist (Ambers Healing Space)
Through each tailored session, Amber works with your unique needs, offering a compassionate space for emotional release and physical relaxation. Whether you are carrying grief in your body or struggling with the weight of your loss, the therapeutic touch invites healing, allowing you to process and let go in a safe and nurturing way.
The nurturing touch helps you reconnect with your body, creating a pathway for emotional release and peace. This massage is not just a physical experience, it’s an opportunity to honour your grief, acknowledge your emotions, and gently move toward healing.
Amber offers a compassionate, intuitive approach to help you find relief, soothe your heart, and support your healing journey in a truly restorative way.
Where grief is honoured, healing begins, and you walk gently toward transformation.
Retreat Investment
Early Bird Price: $1,850 AUD
Early bird price available until 30 June 2025 – limited spots available.
Don’t miss out on this special rate, secure your space today.
Full Price: $2,150 AUD
Full price effective from 1 July 2025
Payment plans available, please email to discuss further: melissa@holisticgriefwellness.com.au
Please note: Travel to and from the retreat venue is not included. If you’d like support with your travel planning or have any questions, feel free to reach out to Melissa at melissa@holisticgriefwellness.com.au
-
SAFE SPACE FOR HEALING
Our retreat offers a sacred and judgment-free environment where you can express your grief and emotions openly and work through your pain without fear of criticism or misunderstanding.
-
CONNECTION WITH OTHER GRIEVERS
You will be surrounded by others who are also experiencing a loss which helps to reduce feelings of isolation. Sharing stories and hearing others’ experiences fosters a sense of understanding and belonging.
-
SELF-CARE
Dedicated time to reflect, rest and nurture your wellbeing through relaxation, nourishing meals, gentle movement, mindfulness, creative outlets, spa treatments, nature, and connection with spirit.
-
HOLISTIC & THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES
Our grief-focused retreat includes mind-body practices such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, journalling, arts therapy, sound healing and eco therapy to help you process your grief.
-
RENEWAL OF HOPE
Through reflection and support, you will gain a sense of renewed hope, clarity, and the tools needed to continue in your grief healing journey, learning how to live after loss with meaning and joy.
-
TRANSFORMATION
Transform your pain into resilience and purpose by finding peace and a deeper connection to yourself through self-compassion and self-love, and embracing the possibility of growth and renewal.
