Bali wellbeing writing retreat
* For women who long to write
* For women needing time out to rest, relax, renew
* For women longing to clarify their direction and reset priorities
Bali 2025: activate your genius
> 5 days of rest and renewal with inspired, visionary women.
Our Bali wellbeing writing retreat is an opportunity for women to engage in inspired, purposeful, restive time out.
We use writing, rest and renewal as pathways to wellbeing.
This event offers a range of facilitated workshops designed to help you clarify your ideas, remove obstacles and navigate clear pathways forwards. Explore ideas, nurture creative passions, rest by the pool or wander among the fields on a warm tropical island.
This is an exclusive event. There are 8 places only and the resort will be entirely ours for the duration of the retreat.
For five days in October, we’ll be treated to daily writing workshops, fabulous feasting, and wanders in the lush countryside.
BALI RETREAT DATES
13 – 18 OCTOBER 2025
Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is for women with unfinished business.
This includes:
- women who identify as writers
- women who long to write and have yet to put pen to paper
- women who want time to themselves to reset their priorities and make a mud map for the journey ahead.
Women have left our previous retreats and gone on to start that small business, write that book, take that trip they’ve been putting off for years, build themselves a house, reset relationships at home ….
“This retreat has been a journey I have never been on before. It has taught me to write my thoughts down and then read over them and take the steps I need to take to make the changes in my life that I WANT. To stand strong and be in control of what is going on within me. Trust my decisions and take little steps to make it happen.”
Previous retreat participant, 2018
IWWI BALI
13-18 OCTOBER 2025
What previous Bali retreat participants have to say
“Travellers have crossed oceans to gather together, all with their own purpose for being here. Together we have chatted and written with intent and instruction, guidance and encouragement to work through resistance and doubt.
Writing will help me gain strength again.”
Julie, Bali 2024
“I have learned to trust all of me. I now know I can change shoes that don’t fit and change to be my comfortable me. I have been putting up barriers for the past few months, blocking something out – I don’t know what, big or small, who cares!
Through Stephanie’s ability and Marie’s support I have learned to navigate muddy waters and find JOY!”
Sandy, Bali 2024
“Perfect setting and space. A group who formed respect, consideration and faith in each other. Great balance of workshop time and down time, alone time and socialising time.”
Maree, Bali 2024
“This experience has been enriching in so many ways. The confidence of Stephanie is what provided confidence in me. I arrived naive and leave with a concept, skills and a story that I want to share!”
Lorraine, Bali 2024
“Thank you. I loved the companionship and learning to open to my inner self. Well organised. No stress to arrange anything! The sessions were insightful and dug deep into the soul.”
Linda, Bali 2024
“5 days ago 9 perfect strangers gathered to write. We met 3 times a day to write and read and explore. Steph worked with each of us skillfully and with such great care and encouragement. We are emerging as 9 perfect friends. Thank you.”
Anita, Bali 2024
“Brilliant program. Fantastic workshops. Program was full of ideas, tools and strategies to write and keep writing. Steph’s approach to guiding individual writers was extraordinary and produced such a breadth of outcomes for a wide range and skillset of writers. I was reticent at first about the group, but it was a great learning tool and forged strong bonds in the group. I’ll be back for the next one!”
Amanda, Bali 2024
What other retreat participants have to say
“Thank you Stephanie and my Paika buddies for giving me the push I needed to start my business.
Nervous and excited!”
Mary, Paika women’s wellbeing writing retreat 2019
“We leave today as changed women,
ready to take on life’s challenges.”
Maureen, Bindara women’s wellbeing writing retreat 2017
“Thank you Stephanie, for helping me to clarify my vision for the future and to focus on the one thing that I’m passionate about. You have given me a clear direction. I feel inspired and invigorated; wish I’d met you years ago!”
Sally, Paika women’s wellbeing writing retreat 2022
“Gave me the opportunity to take time out, challenge thought patterns, reflect on my journey and clarify the direction I really want to take. Stephanie supported and nurtured us all and the beautiful venue and food added to the nurturing atmosphere. Thank you.”
Marina, Paika women’s wellbeing writing retreat 2019
“The retreat gave me encouragement to own my voice. It helped me go beyond what I already know. This will benefit others, as it gave time for myself to take times out of a busy life. Not worry about the past, not worry about the future. I met some lovely people and found courage in stuff I doubted myself in.”
Brenda, Mulberry Vale women’s wellbeing writing retreat 2022
Where will the retreat be held?
Our retreat hosts are the Mandira family at Pondok Saraswati Bungalows, near Ubud, Bali.
Our accommodations sleep two. Your room has a small fridge, wifi, and tea/coffee-making facilities, and a beautiful verandah.
The bungalows are set in lush grounds with a swimming pool bordering rice fields.
All meals are provided, including a welcome Balinese banquet and a farewell banquet (vegan and vegetarian catered for).
Massage is available by arrangement (cost additional).
Your retreat facilitator
Dr Stephanie Dale
All workshops in the Bali 2025 retreat are facilitated by IWWI founder and workshop developer Dr Stephanie Dale.
Stephanie spent 10 years delivering wellbeing-through-writing workshops to rural and remote Australians in the Outback and online, including the iconic bi-annual Paika Women’s Wellbeing Writing Retreats on the fringe of Mungo National Park.
She has a PhD on the relationship between wellbeing and writing.
Co-organiser Marie Kelly
Since 2015, Stephanie has worked closely with retreat co-organiser and remote health professional Marie Kelly.
Marie has 40 years’ experience in rural and remote health, and has worked in mental health since 2005. She is passionate about providing people with the resources they need to help themselves and others.
Logistics and FAQs
Retreat dates: Monday 13 October – Saturday 18 October 2025
How much does the retreat cost? IWWI Bali Women’s Wellbeing Retreat costs AUD$2200. Your place is confirmed with 25% deposit > $550 – T&Cs here.
How many places are in the retreat? There are 8 places only available in this retreat.
Arrival: Check in between 3pm and 5pm on Monday 13 October. Please arrive no later than 5pm, to give you time to settle into your room before the retreat formally begins at 6pm.
Airport transfers: Airport pick up at Denpasar Airport at 12 noon for ride to our accommodations. Pick up en route to Ubud is possible by prior arrangement.
Address: Pondok Saraswati Villas > Jalan A.A. Gede Rai, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, 80571
Travel arrangements: Flights, visa and travel insurance costs are not included in the price of the retreat. For assistance with travel arrangements, we recommend Lauren Kelly at The Travel Agenda.
Departure: Check out is 10am on Saturday 18 October. Return transfer to Denpasar Airport on the morning of Saturday 18 October will be offered at a set time, to be advised.
What will we be doing?
Our time on retreat in Bali is an easy mix of structure that includes workshops, gorgeous meals and time out. We will have opportunities to walk and to wander, to keep good company or enjoy solitude, to take photographs, have a massage, or sit, chat, rest, reflect.
What is included in the retreat cost?
A five-day series of facilitated writing workshops, on and off site. Retreat inclusions are: accommodation (twin share villas), all meals Monday evening dinner-Saturday breakfast, and airport transfers at specific pre-organised group times to and from Denpasar Airport.*
Flights, visas and travel insurance are not included. Special extras such as massage can be organised by appointment and are not included in the retreat cost. For assistance with flights, visas and travel insurance contact Lauren or Kirsty at The Travel Agenda.
* You are welcome to make your own transfer arrangements to and from Pondok Saraswati Villas.
What is the refund policy?
Places in IWWI Bali Women’s Wellbeing Writing Retreat are confirmed with a minimum 25% non-refundable deposit, with full payment due 6 weeks prior to the start of the event. Within 6 weeks of the start of the retreat, full payment is required unless by prior arrangement. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full refund details.
Previous retreats
