A 3-Day Nordic Inspired Retreat
August 14 - 16 | Yarra Valley
A Reset You Can Feel
Some weekends stay with you.
This is one of them.
Set just 90 minutes from Melbourne in the heart of the Yarra Valley, Embers of the Valley is a three-day immersion into nature, heat, cold, and connection. Designed for those craving more—more presence, more challenge, more clarity—this retreat brings you back to what matters.
You’ll move through mountain air, plunge into icy rivers, sit in deep heat, and share stories beside the fire. You’ll disconnect from the noise, and reconnect with yourself, with others, and with the natural world around you.
This isn’t a time away.
It’s a return to your body, your breath, and your edge.
What This Retreat Is About
There’s a rhythm to this weekend.
Moments of intensity. Moments of stillness.
Fire and water. Strength and softness.
You’ll feel it in the early morning mist by the river. In the silence before a cold plunge. In the laughter shared over long-table dinners under the stars.
Every element has been designed with intention. Drawing on time-tested practices of heat, cold, breath, and community, to help you reset from the inside out.
The Experience
At the heart of the retreat is the contrast between heat and cold.
Guided sauna sessions paired with icy river plunges awaken your system, sharpen your mind, and bring you fully into the present. Each round is designed to challenge you—then ground you.
You don’t feel it physically, you feel it mentally, emotionally, deeply.
Meals are both fuel and part of the overall experience.
Expect vibrant, nourishing dishes and a signature outdoor fire feast that brings everyone together. Think open flames, shared plates, local wine, and conversations that linger long after the last bite.
You’ll hike through towering forest, summit Mount Donna Buang, and move through landscapes that remind you how small (and how capable) you are.
There’s no rush here. Just steady effort, fresh air, and views that make every step worth it.
Led by Wim Hof-trained instructor Matt Radford, breathwork sessions guide you into deeper awareness and control of your body.
Combined with meditation and quiet moments in nature, this is where things shift.
Strangers become familiar quickly here.
Phones are set aside. Conversations go deeper. And something powerful happens when people come together without distraction.
If you arrive solo or with a friend, you’ll leave feeling part of something.
Your 3-Day Flow
Day 1 — Arrive & Awaken
Arrive, settle in, and take your first breath of fresh mountain air.
The weekend begins with a fireside welcome, followed by guided breathwork and your first cold-water immersion. As night falls, step into the heat—sauna, stars, and river dips to ground you in the experience ahead.
Day 2 — Challenge & Expand
Start your morning slowly by the river, then step into the day’s adventure.
A guided hike to the summit of Mount Donna Buang pushes your body and clears your mind. After time to rest, you’ll return to the heat for a deeper sauna ritual designed to challenge your limits.
The day closes with a fire-cooked feast under the trees—good food, good wine, and even better company.
Day 3 — Integrate & Reflect
Ease into the morning with tea and stillness.
One final sauna and river session allows everything to settle—body, breath, mind. Then, a closing circle by the fire to reflect, connect, and take something meaningful home with you.
You’ll leave lighter than you arrived.
In more ways than one.
Where You’ll Stay
Nestled beside the Yarra River, your accommodation at Oscar’s on the Yarra offers the perfect balance of comfort and immersion in nature.
Wake to the sound of water. Wind down by the fire.
This is a space designed to help you slow down.
Private Room — $1500 per person + GST
A $500 deposit secures your place.
Payment plans are available - Contact Us
Twin Share — $1100 per person + GST
A $500 deposit secures your place.
Payment plans are available - Contact Us
Who This Is For
This retreat is for you if you’re:
Craving a physical and mental reset
Drawn to sauna, cold water, and nature-based wellness
Ready to step outside your comfort zone
Looking to reconnect—with yourself and others
Seeking something deeper than a typical getaway
Just open, curious, and willing to show up.
Ready to Step In?
Spots are limited to keep the experience intimate.
If something in you is saying yes, trust that.
FAQs
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Two nights of accommodation
All meals and snacks prepared by our two talented chefs
Daily activities and excursions
Group transportation during the retreat
Supportive community
Experienced facilitators
Note: Flights, travel insurance, and airport transfers are not included.
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We create a seasonal menu using local, responsibly sourced ingredients, crafted by our two talented chefs. We may include sustainably sourced fish or meat, but we can cater to vegetarian and vegan diets with advance notice. On Saturday night, we will enjoy a Nordic fire feast, adding a unique culinary experience to the retreat.
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Absolutely not! While everything is well organised and supported, this retreat involves cold temperatures, physical activity, and time spent outdoors. A willingness to step slightly outside your comfort zone will enhance your experience.
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Nope! Many participants come solo and quickly feel like part of the group. You’ll bond with others fast and by the end of the weekend, you might not want to leave!
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We recommend:
A small backpack
A couple of pairs of swimwear (extra pairs are ideal)
Extra towels (especially for sauna and river dipping)
A beanie
Warm jackets for outdoor fireside dining
Warm layers (we’ll have blankets and fires going, but extra warm clothes are recommended)
A waterproof coat
Hiking boots or sensible outdoor footwear
Extra warm robes and slippers (dry robes are handy for sauna and cold immersion, but a warm bathrobe will also do)
Wetsuit booties (optimal for sauna and river dipping)
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Oscar's on the Yarra – A Riverside Country Guest House, an easy 90-minute scenic drive from Melbourne.
3185 Warburton Highway , Warburton, VIC 3799
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Check-in is from 2pm on Friday and the retreat concludes at 12pm on Sunday.
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Payments will be refunded if cancellation occurs more than 30 days before check-in.
Cancellations less than 30 days and more than 7 days prior will forfeit 50% of the total booking.
Cancellations 7 days or less will forfeit 100% of the total booking
Note: All deposits are non-refundable after 30 days of payment.
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We encourage all guests to disconnect from technology during the retreat to fully immerse in the experience.