Imagine FINALLY reading your favourite books without distractions.
Our first reading retreat in Australia
Join us on a summer escape to Daylesford, with a small group of book lovers who genuinely understand why you packed six books for two nights.
You'll read (LOTS), you'll eat ridiculously well (we’ll have a private chef), and you'll probably have very strong feelings about at least one fictional character.
When? Friday, Dec 11 - Sunday, Dec 13 2026
Where? Daylesford, VIC, Australia
AS SEEN IN
Other people's idea of a holiday involves packed itineraries and early alarms.
Ours? Slow mornings, long chapters, a private chef, and a house full of people who've also cried over a book ending.
Let me set the scene…
You head out of Melbourne and just 1.5h later, you arrive in picturesque Daylesford. You turn off the main road and the estate comes into view - you feel your shoulders drop.
You've barely put your bag down before you're standing at the window, looking at the countryside rolling out in every direction, already deciding which nook you're going to read in first.
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’s exactly what you needed.
The weekend takes shape gradually. Meals appear (made by a talented local chef) without you having to lift a finger. Conversations happen around the table, by the fire pit, in the garden during the long summer evening.
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 the spine.
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 in boutique accommodation in Daylesford
Fully catered meals - made by our very own private chef, from fresh, locally sourced ingredients
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 more (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.
Why Daylesford?
You mean, apart from the fact that it’s just 1.5 h from Melbourne and absolutely gorgeous?
Daylesford is also the spa capital of Australia, full of good food, creative energy, and people who want to escape the hustle & bustle. Oh, and it’s home to a renowned literary festival - and now, Busy with Books’ first Australia retreat.
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 in Daylesford.
“Which books are you bringing?"
“Anyone driving from the same suburb?” “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). This time we’ll have 3 beautiful King rooms.
All rooms are available for solo or shared occupancy.
How to book
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With three rooms & several hundred people on the waitlist, we’ll be taking expressions of interest so we can make sure the right rooms go to the right people.
The form will open first for BWB book club members (Sept 2, 6 pm AEST), then for the general waitlist 24 hours later. When the form opens, here's what happens:
Fill in the form — tell us your room preference, whether you're coming solo or with someone, and a few other details.
We allocate rooms on a first-come, first-served basis and send you an invoice.
Pay within 24 hours to confirm your spot — if we don't hear from you, the room moves to the next person.
Complete the guest form — dietary requirements, any other details we need to get the weekend right.
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All rooms are available as solo or shared occupancy.
Solo — $2,600 AUD (incl. GST)
The room is entirely yours.Shared — $1,900 AUD per person (incl. GST)
Bring a friend, or let us match you with a fellow reader.
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 3 pm. You’ll get a quick tour of the house, including some bookish gifts waiting for you.
After that? The place is yours.
That evening, we’ll gather for a delicious dinner prepared by our chef - 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. -
Join the group whenever you’re ready to emerge from your reading cocoon (or stay in bed all day!).
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.
For dinner, we’re having a little pasta-making class with our chef! But if you’re deep in a story and don’t want to break the spell, we totally get that too - zero judgment if you just want to eat but not cook. -
A gentle morning to soak up the last bit of retreat magic, then it's time to grab the tissues & say goodbye to everyone.
Check-out is by 10 am.
Take a peek inside our last retreats!
A weekend where nobody needs anything from you. Except maybe a book recommendation.
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 community, 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 (or a delicious recipe) 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. Melbourne 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 also 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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Our chef is able to cater for most dietary requirements, including coeliac, diary-free, vegan, and vegetarian.
If you have special dietary requirements, 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.
That being said: you are welcome to make pasta from scratch together with the chef on Saturday night, if you like!
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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!
So…are you coming?
STALK BUSY WITH BOOKS ON INSTA
