This retreat is a container to dive into your winter cocoon and be nourished deeply through connection, expression, chill time, nature bathing, and moments to pause and ground into your centre. Chrysalis is a transitional state of the butterfly where it goes inward to grow before it emerges. This retreat falls just after Winter Solstice on the 22nd and ahead of the Full Moon on 3rd July and offers you a chance to pause and turn inwards to receive and fill your cup as you deeply ground into the inner peace within your heart.
THE VENUE
Yanada is an idyllic bush retreat, nestled in a glorious green valley between the McDonald River and the Yengo Mountains, yet only 90 minutes from Sydney CBD. Yanada, ‘Moon’ in Dharug and Darkinjung, has two 95 sq. m spaces over two levels each fully surrounded by deep cool verandahs, and special wellness zones to help you bliss out, including a mid level hydrotherapy spa, a yoga terrace, pond and fire pit.
Relax on Balinese day beds on the cool verandahs or pool pavilion, listen to the sound of birds, watch the Kookaburras and Kangaroos, look out along the silvery Gunaday River or over the fields and across the valley. Take a cool winter dip in the swimming pool or just chill out in the water seat, on the sunbeds to gaze at the beautiful views over the valley. Yanada is surrounded by private bush walks; around a flat rock peak adjacent to the Yengo National Park perfect for a swim or kayak in the river.
THE LOCATION
Yanada is in the McDonald Valley 2km outside the historic village of St Albans. We adjoin the Yengo National Park and are 17 minutes from Wisemans Ferry and the Hawkesbury River. This is the southern tip of Darkinjung country with Mount Yengo at its heart. This place is hidden and remote, known since the first European settlement as the Forgotten Valley, yet less than 2 hours drive from Sydney.
The drive itself is beautiful. From Sydney, once you leave the M2 and Pennant Hills Road you will follow the original convict built route north from Sydney. The Old North Road takes you along the Dural ridge with stunning Blue Mountain views, through Marramurra National Park and down into Wisemans Ferry, set on a picturesque loop in the Hawkesbury river system. Cross the free Webbs Creek vehicular ferry, a 4 min ride, then along the McDonald Valley, with steep sandstone cliffs and the meandering river, to Yanada, just before the National Trust village of St Albans.