Imagine FINALLY reading your favourite books without distractions.
Escape to Banks Peninsula
A cosy weekend away with other book nerds who get why you pack five books for a two-night stay.
You’ll read, you’ll rest, you’ll eat (LOTS), and you might cry about a fictional character - it’s all part of the retreat experience.
When? Friday, Aug 27 - Sunday, Aug 29 2027
Where? Banks Peninsula, Canterbury, New Zealand
As seen in
Other people's idea of a holiday involves packed itineraries and early alarms.
Ours? Slow mornings, long chapters, good food, and a house full of people who've also cried over a book ending.
Let me set the scene…
You pull into the driveway of a 140-year-old farmhouse and immediately feel your shoulders drop. The hills roll out in every direction, the air is crisp, and the fire in the living room is already burning.
As you unpack, you start to get excited about what the weekend holds. Pages devoured in cosy corners, conversations about fictional crushes and plot twists - it feels cosy and comfortable.
It’s exactly what you needed.
The weekend takes shape gradually. Meals appear without you having to lift a finger. Conversations happen around the table, in the garden, or in front of the roaring fire.
By Sunday morning, you've read more than you have in months and you've made friends with people who have very strong opinions about dog-earing books & breaking spines.
You feel rested, restored, and travelling home with you are the memories that will be forever tucked inside the pages of another book you remember fondly.
What is a
reading retreat?
A reading retreat is a getaway for book lovers, like you and me.
We’re all juggling a million things and secretly wishing we had more time to read instead of… folding laundry.
A book retreat is an escape from all that: A weekend to slow down in a stunning setting, chat about your favourite reads with fellow book nerds, and indulge in delicious food.
For a whole weekend, there are no obligations and you can keep yourself busy with books (see what I did there?).
“If you're someone who struggles to shut the door on daily distractions and carve out precious time to truly immerse yourself in the pages of your favorite authors, this is your sanctuary.”
- E, retreat guest
You don't need a reason to be here beyond the book in your bag and the fact that you really, really want to read it.
Who are we kidding?
Books. plural.
There’s no way your TBR isn’t an absolute mountain.
What’s included:
Two nights of living in boutique accommodation that’s as cosy as your favourite novel (and twice as hard to leave).
Delicious food made with love from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients - you don’t have to lift a finger.
Snackable treats designed to be enjoyed one-handed (because the other should never have to leave your page).
Fun non-alcoholic drinks - you’re welcome to bring your own alcoholic drinks to enjoy with dinner.
Welcome gifts curated for book lovers
The chance to meet fellow readers who get it and might just become lifelong book besties.
3 months of membership for BWB book club
…and a few other (literary) surprises!
Wait, there’s more.
Book fair
Swap, trade, and share your favourite reads with others at our own little book fair. Find hidden gems, make recommendations, and get some fresh books for free (‘cause new books are expensive).
Blind date with a book
Choose a book based on a brief description without knowing the title, author, or plot beforehand. It’s a great way to discover new books and step outside your comfort zone!
Device sitting service
Let me look after your phone so you can keep distractions (*uhm TikTok*) to a minimum. Enjoy a temporary break from the digital world knowing your device is safe and secure.
“The retreat was a dream come true. I’ll never forget sitting in my room, in the sun, in a comfy chair, reading as much as I wanted to.”
- EM, Banks Peninsula retreat guest
Why Banks Peninsula?
Banks Peninsula is just a 1.5h drive from Christchurch and one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever visit: rolling hills, turquoise water, and… this view?
(I literally stopped 5 times just to take pictures 😅)
It’s the ideal place for readers like us who want to escape the hustle & bustle, and enjoy a few days surrounded by just birdsong.
What our guests are saying:
Meet the other guests
As part of the retreat ticket, all guests get access to a dedicated channel inside our book community, so it feels like you already know everyone before you even arrive at the retreat.
“Which books are you bringing?"
“Anyone driving from the city?”
“Wait, you’re also obsessed with…?”
By check-in, the other guests aren't random strangers but people you've been talking to for weeks.
Room options
As always, we keep our retreats intimate (we know readers are often introverts & big groups can be overwhelming).
All rooms are available for solo or shared occupancy.
How to book
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With limited spots and a long waitlist, we're running an expression of interest process. Our last retreat sold out in less than 24h.
Here's how it works:
Fill in the form: tell us whether you're coming solo or with someone, your payment preference, and a few other details.
We review submissions and send you an invoice once a spot is available for you.
Pay within 24 hours to confirm your spot: if we don't hear from you, the spot moves to the next person.
Complete the guest form: dietary requirements and anything else we need to get the weekend right.
When does the form open?
Book club members: Wednesday, 7 October, 9am AEST
Waitlist members: Thursday, 8 October, 9am AEST
Not a book club member yet? For $14.99/month you get 24-hour early access and $50 off the retreat price. 👀
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All rooms are available as solo or shared occupancy.
Solo — $2,000 AUD (incl. GST)
The room is entirely yours.Shared — $1,500 AUD per person (incl. GST)
Bring a friend, or let us match you with a fellow reader.You can pay in full or secure your spot with a 50% non-refundable deposit. The remaining balance is due 30 days before the start of the retreat.
Itinerary
The weekend is whatever you want it to be: All activities are encouraged, but nothing is mandatory.
Choose solitude or shared time with other readers.
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Arrive any time from 2pm (airport transfers are available as an optional add-on).
There’ll be welcome snacks (of course), a little bookish gift waiting for you, and I’ll give you a quick tour of the house.
After that? The place is yours.
That evening, we’ll gather for a delicious dinner - a relaxed way to ease into the weekend and get to know each other. Don’t worry, no awkward icebreakers or forced fun facts. Pinky promise. -
Help yourself to a buffet-style breakfast whenever you’re ready to emerge from your reading cocoon.
The day is completely open to whatever you feel like doing: read in your favourite nook, take a walk, sneak in a nap, or dive into deep book chats with someone equally obsessed with fictional characters.
In the evening, dinner’s on again: fresh and best shared. Or, if you’re deep into a story and don’t want to break the spell, you can have your meal delivered to your room. Zero judgement. -
Another help-yourself breakfast, then a gentle morning to soak up the last bit of retreat magic.
We’ll share a light lunch as our final meal together before it's time to grab the tissues & say goodbye to everyone.
Check-out is by 2 pm.
Take a peek inside a retreat!
A weekend where nobody needs anything from you.
Except maybe a book rec.
Hi, I’m Hanna!
Originally from the north of Italy, I am your reading retreat host!
Busy With Books was born out of a simple idea: what if reading could be the centrepiece of connection, self-care, and joy?
Through in-person reading retreats and a cosy online book club, I’m creating spaces where book lovers can slow down, switch off, and finally read without interruption - or guilt.
And because I grew up in an Italian family where food was love, you’ll always find a good meal as part of the experience ❤️
FAQs
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You're free to read WHATEVER books you want, we don't discriminate.
While I don't dictate which books you read, I will be bringing along some of my favourites in case you don't want to decide or run out of books to read.
We'll also have our own little book fair, so bring any old books you want to swap with others!
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No, you will need to make your own travel arrangements. Christchurch is a 1.5h drive from our accommodation. Airport & city transfers are available as an optional add-on; you can indicate this in your guest form.
We'll have plenty of parking available if you choose to travel by car.
We also recommend getting travel insurance.
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Nope, and that's fully on purpose. This is a time (and space) for you to do whatever you want. If that means staying in your room in your PJs all day, go for it!
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We are able to cater for most dietary requirements, including diary-free, vegan, and vegetarian.
If you have special dietary requirements or severe allergies, please email me at hello@busywithbooks.com with any questions. I’m here to help! -
Not much, really!
Comfy clothes, books (obviously), maybe a water bottle to stay hydrated? The rest will be provided, including main meals, snacks, non-alcoholic drinks (BYO fav alcoholic drink), linen, and towels.
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Absolutely not.
This is a weekend for you to relax and unwind without distractions: no stopping to prepare meals, cleaning up after other people or taking care of other everyday chores.
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This retreat is designed for women and anyone who identifies as female or non-binary. We welcome LGBTQ+ guests and aim to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive space for everyone.
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We welcome all book lovers aged 18 and above.
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This retreat is a solo adventure! We don’t allow couples because we want to create a relaxed, social space where you can fully unwind, meet fellow book lovers, and maybe even make a new bookish bestie. It’s a weekend just for you!
STALK BUSY WITH BOOKS ON INSTA
