Picture this. A cosy coastal house on the Mornington Peninsula. Good food, good company, and three days with nowhere to be and nothing to rush.

The Makers & Readers Retreat is a small-group weekend getaway hosted by Mel and Lauren - between them they'll make sure you're fed, creative, and completely looked after. It's a chance to slow down, get creative, read something you've been meaning to read, and genuinely switch off. No pressure to perform. No product to produce. Just time to make, move, soak, and breathe.

What's included

We'll be staying at Craftaways, a gorgeous 5-bedroom coastal-style retreat in Rye, just 8 minutes from Peninsula Hot Springs and a short drive from the bay. Think gas log fire, Nespresso machine, a fully equipped kitchen, and an undercover alfresco area — it's the kind of place that immediately makes your shoulders drop.

Over the weekend you'll enjoy:

-A soak at Peninsula Hot Springs

-Yoga and Pilates sessions

-A beaded bookmark workshop

-Notebook bedazzling

-A group book discussion

-Dinner at Panda Blairgowrie (Friday night)

-Dinner at Rye Hotel (Saturday night), with 1 main and 1 drink included each evening

-A cheese platter lunch on arrival

-Breakfast options on Saturday and Sunday

-Lunch Options for Sunday

The details

Dates: 2–4 October 2026 (Friday to Sunday)

Location: Craftaways, Rye VIC — 90 minutes from Melbourne

Places: 8 spots available

Investment: $1,100 per person

Deposit: $250 to secure your spot (non-refundable)

Balance: pay in full by 1 September, or in instalments

This one is going to fill up fast. If you've been waiting for a reason to take a proper break, this is it.