APTA Play Therapists Retreat, 8-11 October 2027
About
King Parrot Cottages, Pennyroyal, VictoriaJoin us for a restorative and inspiring weekend designed especially for play therapists! An opportunity to step away from the everyday, reconnect with yourself and fellow play therapists, and immerse yourself in play, creativity, nature and reflection.
Our venue, King Parrot Cottages, is set on 196 acres of private bushland, with 5 kms of private walking tracks winding through fern gullies, along Aquila creek and beneath the eucalypts of the Otway bush. There is a seasonal waterfall and abundant wildlife, as well as resident animals including Highland cows, miniature donkeys and horses.
Across the weekend, you will have the opportunity to participate in a range of experiential workshops provided by local professionals, offering opportunities to explore new ideas and approaches related to your play therapy practice, through doing, creating, moving and reflecting. The retreat program focuses on themes of embodiment and therapeutic presence, creativity and play, reflective practice and therapist identity, and restorative practice for self-care.
Alongside these workshops, there will be opportunities to enjoy the beautiful natural setting, participate in shared meals, take part in social activities with colleagues each night, and simply have space to breathe. We want you to leave this retreat feeling reconnected to yourself, others, and the natural world.
Your retreat registration includes:
• 3 nights accommodation
• Full Retreat Program
• All meals and drinks
Accommodation is available on-site at King Parrot Cottages and is spread over 6 beautiful self-contained cottages and a campground with shower and kitchen facilities. There are limited places available in each option so accommodation will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, and in line with your registration preference for roommates. *If you have a desired roommate, make sure they register as soon as possible. If beds sell out before they register, they will not be able to be allocated to be your roommate.
Private Rooms – 7 available beds
Twin Share – 14 available beds
Campground – 9 camping trio share beds in permanent canvas tents and 3 BYO camp trailers spots for 1-2 people available in each.
Retreat Pricing
Early Bird Pricing — APTA Members Only - Closes December 31, 2026
Single Room — 3 nights + retreat $970
Twin Share — 3 nights + retreat $650
Campground — 3 nights + retreat $385
(Plus a 2.5% Try Booking ticket processing fee)
Standard Pricing — Members & Non-Members – Opens January 1st, 2027
Single Room — 3 nights + retreat $1,025
Twin Share — 3 nights + retreat $705
Campground — 3 nights + retreat $440
(Plus a 2.5% Try Booking ticket processing fee)
This retreat is not suitable for partners or children. Day passes will be released in 2027, pending availability of retreat spots remaining, to accommodate those who wish to use alternate accommodation nearby and travel with their families.
To assist with all the practicalities of this retreat for all attendees, a special What App group will be set up for those who register. This will be a place to arrange carpooling, or room sharing, or even ideas for what you are going to wear to the Enchanted Forest cocktail party!
This is a unique chance to spend a weekend with people who understand the joys, challenges and creativity of being a play therapist, and to learn, play, reflect, laugh, connect and recharge together.
Please check out King Parrot Cottages for full accommodation details (www. kingparrot.com.au), and direct any remaining questions to Melanie at info@apta.asn.au. We would love you to join us.
Date
Friday 8 October 2027 2:00 PM - Monday 11 October 2027 9:00 AM (UTC+10)Location
Online event access details will be provided by the event organiser