Come join us at
Schooner bay retreat
Come stay with us on the stunning Great Barrier Island in New Zealand.
Starting in January 2026 we will be hosting retreats!
My family and I are truly blessed to call this 50-acre retreat home, nestled deep in the untouched beauty of Great Barrier Island, New Zealand. Known as one of the world’s most magical destinations, the island is an official Dark Sky Sanctuary, where the night skies sparkle with millions of stars in breathtaking clarity.
Our retreat overlooks both forest and ocean, with a west-facing outlook that gifts us golden sunsets over the sea each evening. Flowing through the land is a pristine river and waterfall, offering easy access to rock pools perfect for refreshing cold plunges and deep connection with nature.
The property is entirely off-grid, powered by solar with generator support, and nourished by pure water from our own spring. This natural, sustainable way of living allows you to slow down, reset, and truly align with the rhythms of the earth.
The retreat space itself is something special. Built by my father Grant and brother Malcolm, both skilled builders, the home reflects a unique blend of traditional Japanese architecture and the sacred native timber Kauri. The result is a space of harmony and simplicity, designed to support deep rest and inner renewal.
Here, forest meets ocean. Day meets night. Tradition meets modern comfort. Every element of this land invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and experience life as it was meant to be lived—simple, sacred, and connected.
We warmly invite you to come and share in the magic of this place.
The retreat space
Main house
4 Double Bedrooms – Sleeps up to 8 adults
Bunk Room – 2 bunk beds, sleeps up to 4 persons
Traditional Japanese option
Tatami Room – Sleeps up to 2 people on floor mattresses, Japanese style
Additional accomodation
Chalet – Double bed with ensuite, sleeps 2 adults
Independent Dwelling with Ensuite (next to the home) – Double bed plus two singles, sleeps up to 4 adults
Camping
Private Lawn Areas – Available for extra guests, with access to a long-drop toilet
Total guest :
- 11 independent retreat guests
- 16 if couples included in group
- additional to these is the facilitator space that sleeps 3
Come join us for our next retreat 12 Jan 2026
Our holistic health retreats are carefully designed as immersive 5-day programmes that nurture body, mind, and spirit. Held in a tranquil forest setting, these retreats weave together nourishing practices, community, and the healing power of nature.
You will be guided through a structured programme including:
Fully catered, plant-based meals – three daily feasts of vibrant, nourishing food to support your healing journey.
Daily yin yoga and meditation – to restore balance, cultivate inner calm, and reconnect you to yourself.
Holistic healing workshops – interactive daily sessions exploring the four pillars of health: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
Island explorations – day trips to discover the island’s magic: its pristine beaches, rejuvenating hot springs, and restorative bush walks.
Evening connection – relaxed gatherings under the stars to share, reflect, and integrate.
At the end of the core programme, you’ll have the option to stay on for up to five additional days. This integration period allows you to ground your learnings, deepen your practice, and truly embody the transformations you’ve experienced before stepping back into everyday life.
This is not just a retreat—it is a journey into yourself, supported by community, nourished by nature, and held by one of the most magical places in the world.
Hire this sanctuary to use and enjoy
This space will be avilable between retreat dates for personal rentals.
It will be available to rent for groups wanting a private home.
And also as a retreat space with options to include full catering, massage and yoga sessions, plus practical necessities like transport around the island.
Great Barrier Island – A Place of Magic and Healing
Great Barrier Island is one of New Zealand’s best-kept secrets—a sanctuary of unspoiled beauty and wild nature that feels a world away, yet is only a short flight from Auckland. Nestled in lush native forest, surrounded by stunning white-sand beaches, and infused with a profound sense of peace, the island offers the perfect environment for deep rest and renewal.
Here, time slows down. Natural hot springs bubble in hidden valleys, waterfalls tumble through ancient bush, and walking tracks lead you into landscapes alive with birdsong. The island’s raw, untouched beauty is often described as magical—an energy that both grounds and uplifts. For centuries, people have sought nature as medicine, and Great Barrier Island embodies this truth. It is more than just a destination; it is a healing presence in itself.
