A Weekend of Connection, Conservation and Community
From 14 to 16th March 2025, Wildventure hosted its first-ever Nature Retreat—a three-day, two-night immersion into the wild beauty of Wheeny Creek, NSW. Tucked away in a secluded valley between Wollemi National Park and a towering sandstone cliff line, this magical location provided the perfect backdrop for our weekend of environmental restoration, adventure, and deep connection with nature. With 28 attendees and 34 people onsite over the weekend, the energy was buzzing as we came together to create meaningful impact while soaking in the beauty of this koala habitat.
Friday Night: Wildlife and Wonders
One of the most thrilling moments of the retreat was our nighttime spotlighting walk on Friday night. As we ventured into the dark, torches in hand, we tuned into the nocturnal symphony of the bush. The eerie yet mesmerizing call of a Southern Boobook owl echoed through the trees, and to our amazement, we heard the unmistakable scream of a koala—a rare and spine-tingling experience. Along the way, we encountered some fascinating creepy crawlies, adding to the sense of adventure and discovery. This experience left us with a newfound appreciation for the creatures that come to life after dark.
Saturday: Planting for the Future and Embracing Nature
Our Saturday morning began with a tranquil yoga session led by Lydia, our incredible landholder, yogi, and nature therapist. Against the backdrop of towering eucalypts and the sounds of Wheeny Creek flowing nearby, attendees eased into the day with mindful movement and deep breaths, setting the tone for a weekend of presence and intention.
Following this, we gathered for an opening ceremony, an Acknowledgement of Country, and an intention-setting ritual. Participants wrote down their hopes, reflections, and goals for the weekend, tying them to the wishing tree—a symbolic act of connection and gratitude. The tree, in turn, gave its offerings, reminding us of the reciprocal relationship we share with nature.
Fuelled by this grounding experience, we moved into our first major conservation effort: a riparian (riverbank) restoration project aimed at enhancing habitat for the local platypus population. Over the past few years, Wheeny Creek has faced extreme flooding events (2020–2024), leading to heavy erosion and sand deposition in sensitive areas. Through strategic planting, we worked to stabilize these degraded sections, incorporating a mix of native rainforest trees, shrubs, grasses, and groundcovers into high-traffic creek access points and along eroded banks. By the end of the session, our incredible volunteers had planted 300 native plants—a huge achievement! A site visit a week later confirmed that they were all thriving, standing as a testament to the impact of collective effort.
Meanwhile, for those keen to learn sustainable outdoor skills, Lucas and Michael from OzFish hosted a responsible fishing workshop. Attendees learned proper techniques for ethical and sustainable fishing, ensuring they could enjoy this activity while minimising environmental harm.
With temperatures soaring to 38 degrees all weekend, the cool, clear waters of Wheeny Creek were a true gift. Throughout the day, we took refreshing dips in the creek, re-energizing ourselves before diving back into activities.
Creativity, Craftmanship and Campfire Connections
The afternoon invited participants to explore their creative and practical skills through two different workshops. Monique from Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare led a Nature Art session, guiding attendees in using natural materials as inspiration for meditative and expressive art. The simple act of observing, collecting, and creating allowed us to slow down and connect with nature in a deeply personal way.
Simultaneously, Daryl and Lydia, our landholders, hosted a hands-on bush-building workshop, where we constructed a sturdy bench seat using only fallen gum trees and branches found on site. This activity not only taught valuable bushcraft skills but also fostered a sense of resourcefulness and teamwork, proving that with a little creativity, we can build something beautiful from what nature provides.
As the sun began to set, we set off on a guided creek walk, uncovering the rich ecological history of the area and learning about the unique vegetation that thrives along the banks of Wheeny Creek. This was followed by a well-earned BBQ dinner, where we shared stories, laughter, and reflections on the day’s activities. The night wrapped up with a campfire under the stars, complete with gooey s’mores, warm conversations, and a sense of deep contentment.
Sunday: Closing with Gratitude and Looking Ahead
Sunday morning offered one last yoga session, allowing us to stretch, reflect, and embrace the stillness of our final hours in this incredible place. Some attendees finished up their planting efforts, while others took the morning to soak in the peaceful surroundings before heading home. Slowly, our group began to trickle out, hearts full and minds recharged.
A Weekend to Remember
We are so grateful to everyone who joined us for this unforgettable retreat. Wildventure is all about blending adventure, restoration, and community, and this weekend was a perfect embodiment of that mission. Hallow Wood is a truly special place—one that holds space for connection, inspiration, and renewal. We hope each of you left with new friendships, a deeper connection to nature, and a sense of fulfillment in the positive impact we created together.
To learn more about the Wildventure program and how to get involved visit our webpage.
