Come away on an island adventure…

Join myself and Kristy (of Quiet Play) for a sewing retreat on stunning Norfolk Island in 2026. Let us take care of everything so all you have to do is enjoy the island and make new friends – sewing is optional. *wink*

We’ve partnered with Norfolk Island Travel Centre to design a bespoke package for you that covers everything you need to have an amazing time. From flights, to accomodation, meals and some truly wonderful island experiences you’ve got the foundations of a once-in-a-lifetime adventure sorted.

We hope you’ll join us on this magical island steeped in history, folklore and soon-to-be fabric piles!

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HERE’S THE BIG PICTURE DETAILS

The Retreat at a Glance

Interested? Would you like to know more? Here’s the main details about our wonderful retreat:

  • WHEN: 09 – 16 July 2026
  • WHERE: Paradise Hotel & Resort, Norfolk Island
  • COST: starting at AUD$3,399 per person, twin share
  • INCLUSIONS: Flights, meals, transport, accomodation, excursions and more! [See below for more details!]
  • SEWING: BYO Projects. [See below for more details!]

If you’ve seen enough to know you’d like to come then click the button below. If you’d like more details then scroll down to find out all the nitty gritty.

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“Norfolk Island’s history isn’t confined to museums or textbooks – it’s etched into the landscape, whispered through generations, and alive in daily life. From ancient Polynesian settlements to the arrival of the Bounty mutineers and the era of the British penal colony, the island’s past is a tapestry of resilience, culture, and community.”– Norfolk Island Tourism

Things we’ll do together:

02. Explore Norfolk

There’s time built in for us to see all the natural beauty, history and culture that norfolk has to offer.

04. Fondle Fabric

there’s going to be an outing to the island’s only craft store, Reflections oF Norfolk, where you can buy supplies, local crafts, fabric and even a norfolk cow.

06. Make Friends

This is probably the most important thing; make new friends (and catch up with existing ones). i’m looking forward to the laughter and memories we’ll make together!

01. Share our Skills

Kristy and I will be helping you complete your WIP’s and UFO’s as well as sharing with you our patchwork secrets. we’ll also have an exclusive project just for you!

03. Break Bread

We’ve got some amazing dining experiences for you to enjoy, including a traditional fish fry. Don’t worry if you’ve got food allergies or dietary requirements, we’ve got you covered.

05. Stay in Style

We’ll be the guests of paradise hotel & resort on Norfolk island. we’ll be setting up our sewing space here, eating some meals here and relaxing in the beautiful surrounds.
WHAT TO KNOW MORE?

How we’ll Spend our Days…

This is a very high level look at what we’ll be doing during our time on Norfolk Island. For a more detailed breakdown, please see the Norfolk Island Travel Centre for more information [CLICK HERE].

  • Thursday 09 July 2026 – Brisbane Guests: Depart Brisbane – Arrive Norfolk
  • Friday 10 July 2026 – Sydney Guests: Depart Sydney – Arrive Norfolk
  • Retreat Welcome Buffet at Governor’s Lodge for our group.
  • Saturday 11 July 2026 – All Guests: Island Life Tour / Dinner Bounty Bar and Grill
  • Retreat sewing space will open after lunch for setup and sewing.
  • Sunday 12 July 2026 – Full Day of Retreat
  • Those interested will be able to attend Sunday worship at St Barnabas Chapel (Church of England).
  • Monday 13 July 2026 – Full Day of Retreat
  • 3 Course Progressive Dinner with Norfolk locals in their homes.
  • Tuesday 14 July 2026 – Full Day of Retreat
  • Traditional Norfolk Island Fish Fry at Orn dar Cliff. Enjoy live music from local performers and captivating performances by the Baunti Byuutis dancing group, showcasing traditional Tahitian movements.
  • Wednesday 15 July 2026 – Full Day of Retreat
  • Retreat Closing Dinner at Governor’s Lodge Hotel.
  • Thursday 16 July 2026 – Brisbane Guests: Depart Norfolk – Arrive Brisbane.
  • Friday 17 July 2026 – Sydney Guests: Depart Norfolk – Arrive Sydney.
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Due to the flights for Norfolk Island there’s only one flight per day on and off the island. There’s 2 departure points, Sydney and Brisbane, and so guests will have a staggered arrival. This will give participants a free day either before or after the Retreat to see more of the island and Norfolk Island Travel Centre can help you make the most of your time.

a surprise Guest &

Exclusive Retreat project!

It’s a quilting retreat, so you’ll be able to bring your WIPs and UFOs to work on, but if you’re looking for something to make to remember your time with us on Norfolk Island we’ll be giving you a special project designed by all 3 teachers. Yep, 3 teachers! We’ll be having a special guest teacher come online to teach you some special patchwork techniques. We’re not telling you who yet, but there’s a hint on this page! Book your spot to get more information!

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Holiday Package Inclusions

from AUD$3,399 per person twin share

  • Return Economy Airfares & Taxes to Norfolk Island
  • Return Airport Transfers on Norfolk Island
  • 7 Nights’ Accommodation Paradise Hotel
  • Cooked Breakfast Daily
  • Dinner Paradise Hotel
  • Island Life Coach Tour including morning tea and lunch
  • Welcome Buffet Governor’s Lodge
  • 2 Course Dinner Bounty Bar & Grill
  • 2 Course Dinner Paradise Hotel
  • Progressive Dinner
  • Island Fish Fry
  • All Transfers
  • 2 Course Presentation Dinner Governor’s Lodge
  • Dedicated Sewing Retreat
  • RETREAT GOERS: 7 x Breakfasts/5 x Morning Teas/5 x Lunches/4 x Afternoon Teas/7 x Dinners PLUS 4 Days Optional Sewing Retreat
  • NON-RETREAT GOERS: 7 x Breakfasts, 1 x Morning Tea, 1 x Lunch, 7 x Dinners
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Some frequently asked Questions

We love a good question! All enquires, including questions, need to go to Norfolk Island Travel Centre. (Contact details below.) They’re handling all the bookings, the payments, the special requirements, etc. If they can’t handle it because it’s a sewing related question they’ll send it on to one of the teachers and let you know that they have. Please contact them directly as the teachers can’t help and it’ll slow it all down.

From Australia – 1800 1400 66
From New Zealand – 0800 0088 10
Or call via international dialling int+ 6723 22502

Email: sales@nitravelcentre.com
For group bookings email: groups@nitravelcentre.com

A list of supplies to pack will be provided to you closer to the date so that you can pack with intent. However, as a general rule we’re recommending the following things:

  • Sewing supplies (iron will be provided)
  • Sewing machine
  • Projects to work on – either machine based or hand stitching (or both!)
  • Medications you might need
  • Comfortable clothing
  • Walking shoes (for outings)
  • Favourite pillow (if you’d like)

We encourage it! Carry on from Australia to Norfolk Island is 7kg, which means most travel machines will be able to be carried into the cabin of the aeroplane. You can also organise additional baggage limits if you need it to pop your machine on as checked luggage. Norfolk Island Travel Centre will be able to help you with all you need to organise bringing your baby with you.

We ask that if you do bring your machine you have it serviced before the retreat and bring your manual with you. There will be very limited support at the retreat for troubleshooting machines.

We are currently looking into our options:

SOURCING LOCAL MACHINES: We are currently in discussions about sourcing local machines. If/when we have more information about this we will notify those who’ve booked and updated the website.

IMPORTING MACHINES FOR HIRE: Costing for this is currently looking at approx. AUD$500 to hire a machine if we can’t source machines on the island. This covers the machine hire, transportation and insurance for the machine. It is to be paid upfront.

Regardless of the option used, there will be limited numbers available and they will be allocated on a first come-first served basis based on the order of those who book.

Great question! Norfolk Island is in the middle of the ocean and therefore it’s exposed to a lot of wind. It’s also going to be winter when we visit and the average temperatures in July are high’s of 18°C / 64°F and low’s of 14°C / 39°F. July is also the month with the most rain with an average of 12 days that contain rain in the month. The perfect weather to be inside fondling fabric, eating good food and sharing a laugh with new friends.

Totally can! If you’d like to bring your partner, bestie, parent or guild buddy – to name a few but not to limit it – you are more than welcome too! There’s a price for those that want to come and not sew.

Please keep in mind that the Retreat is kid free (under 16s) and they will not be allowed into the sewing space. All children will need to be accompanied by a non-retreat attending adult to be their primary carer during retreat days.

Tricky question. We both have kids and love kids, however we appreciate that kids can often detract for those that are looking for a recharge and break from their adulting responsibilities. With this in mind the retreat portion of the event will be limited to those over the age of 16 years of age.

Children are more than welcome to join in non-retreat activities, such as the island tour and dinners. This is because we will be mixing with the broader public on these events and therefore there may be other children in attendance. However, our Retreat space will be expressly child free. We thank you in advance for respecting this decision.

Appreciate you trying to trick me into revealing what we’ve got planned, but I’m on to you! 😉 I can’t tell you the specifics (you have to book to get that info!) but I will tell you that it’ll involve fussy cutting, foundation paper piecing (FPP) and stitch n’ flip techniques.

Nope. In fact, we’d likely encourage you to be flexible in what you’d like to do. If you wake up on a Retreat day and it’s a glorious sunshine day and you’d like to go explore – explore! If you want to sleep in, sleep in. If you want to sew late, sew late. Brought a non-sewing friend and want to go play golf with them, grab some clubs and go. It’s your retreat and it’s our aim to make it a recharging, relaxing and stress-free time for you. We provide you with the framework, you build your holiday.

Yes! As we get closer to the event (in March) we’ll invite all those who’ve booked to join an exclusive free online space where you can meet, ask questions, share information and learn more about what we’ll be doing. We want you to be well informed, prepared and ready to mingle!