October Sweet Retreat – A Weekend of Connection, Calm & Coastal Magic
- steveyarena
- Nov 7
- 3 min read
Seven wonderful women travelled from far and wide to join us for our October 2025 Sweet Retreat. From the moment they arrived, there was an unmistakable feeling of ease and alignment — a group meant to meet.
As the white birds circled overhead, guests checked into their spacious glamping tents to the sound of waves and the scent of sea air. Some drifted straight to the pool for a dip, while others began their stay with a remedial massage by Shannon Raison, setting the tone for a weekend of true relaxation.
Lunch was a delicious grazing-style feast created by Jaz from J.Nourish, a colourful and nourishing spread that encouraged conversation and connection. During the welcome ceremony, guests shared their intentions for the weekend — and as they spoke, links between their lives emerged, revealing a deep sense of familiarity.
The openness and warmth in that first hour reminded us how powerful it is when women come together in a safe, nurturing space.
Sunset Magic & Sound Healing
The afternoon sun glistened over the ranch as the group enjoyed a gentle movement session at the Salt Deck, followed by aura readings and puppy cuddles with Robyn and Justin from Humane Yoga. Robyn then guided everyone through a soothing sound bowl journey, accompanied by birdsong and the rhythmic sound of the waves.
As dusk fell, a soft pink sunset wrapped around the sky. Guests wrote down what they wished to release, placing each note into the bonfire — a symbolic letting go. Dinner under the stars followed — a three-course meal prepared with locally sourced ingredients, shared beneath the glow of the moon.
Saturday – The Art of Slow Living
Saturday morning began with Maxime’s gentle morning bell, inviting guests to leave behind phones, watches, and to simply be. With Polaroid cameras in hand, the women wandered to the beach for sunrise yoga on the sands of Sugar Beach — the ocean their soundtrack, the horizon their view.
After a breakfast of coconut-infused scrambled eggs fresh from the ranch hens, guests joined Maxime Willems – Therapy & Training for an Equine Wellness Session with our beloved horses Bumble, Lucio, and Rosco. One guest wrote a moving poem that beautifully captured the depth of the experience — describing how the horses “held up a mirror to our emotions and showed us how to breathe again.”
Later, everyone visited the CM Murphy OAM Memorial Forest, planting flowering trees to nurture our bees and contribute to the ranch’s reforestation efforts. It’s always a personal highlight — watching guests give back to the land while creating something lasting and beautiful.
Lunch boxes and Byron Bay juices offered a quiet moment to reflect, rest, or swim, followed by art therapy — painting our gentle horses Oakley and Coco as the breeze settled into calm. The day closed with a spectacular lightning storm that danced around the ranch as laughter filled the air — proof that nature always has her own kind of theatre.
Sunday – New Beginnings
Sunday morning brought a soft, golden light. Guests walked the horses along the beach and through the bush trails, grounding themselves in stillness and gratitude. A homemade sand scrub and ocean swim followed, before nature gifted us one last wonder — a double rainbow arching over the pool.
Our farewell brunch by the water was a joyful celebration — vibrant, nourishing dishes created by Jaz, paired with fresh juice and good conversation. Before leaving, the group released white doves, symbolising renewal and new beginnings.
As numbers and hugs were exchanged, it was clear that what began as strangers arriving at the ranch had become a circle of genuine connection and care — women who would continue to support each other long after the weekend ended.
A Note from Stevey
This retreat filled my heart with so much gratitude. Watching these women allow themselves to rest, to laugh, to let go — it’s what I love most about what we do here.
At Sugar Beach Ranch, we want our guests to feel calm, cared for, and free to simply be — to play with the horses, laugh by the pool, and nourish their mind, body, and soul in nature’s playground.
Together with Maxime, we’re honoured to hold space for transformation and connection on this beautiful coastal land. The ranch is a slice of paradise, and sharing it in this way feels like pure magic.
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