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Sleeping Arrangements: Price range $650 (dorm) - $1590 (luxury queen room with en suite, jacuzzi and verandah)
The Master Suite: Queen bed with ceiling fan, jacuzzi, ensuite and seperate toilet. Paddock and lake views. Direct access outside with outdoor table and chair setting.
The Library Room and Garden Room: XL rooms with King size bed that can be configured as 2 x single beds. Chromecast TV, ceiling fan with beautiful outlooks. A semi attached annexe room has a sofa bed which can be used by additional 1-2 guests if desired.
The Lake Room:  Double Bed with paddock and lake views, ceiling fan and Chromecast TV.Â
The Bunkhouse:Â 3 single beds and one double bed in bunkbed format. Direct access outside with private ensuite bathroom.
The Property: Sutherland Downs Retreat.
A beautiful 6 bedroom, single level farm house with a variety of accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets. The rooms at the front of the house all have direct access outside to the verandah and a table and chair setting each. The back room are over sized with beautiful garden views.
Spread over 28 acres, there is always somewhere to find peace and a gorgeous view at Sutherland Downs. The pool, wood fired hot tub, hammocks and fire pit are all popular places to unwind and relax with a beautiful view and bird and frog sounds for company.
Our games room has ping pong, pool, darts, golf practice net, Pickleball set up, Smart TV, speaker and fridge. We have a 150m golf driving range and soccer / footy goal posts for those that want to get extra active.
If there is a need to stay connected, high speed, Starlink internet means you can work away, stream your favourite shows or video call loved ones. Our XL TV in the lounge room, 400+ DVD collection of classic movies, library and open fire are perfect for indoor evenings.
About the host:
Becky, our wonderful, friendly host with an eye for the small touches is our retreat and property manager and is there to ensure that all guests have the best and most comfortable experience possible.
Being a local in Smiths Lake, if Becky doesn't know the right person or business to connect you with to enhance your stay either at Sutherland Downs or offsite, then they're hardly worth knowing 😀.
Becky works closely with you, the guest, our instructors, chef and cleaning team to ensure that you have no decisions to make other than where to park yourself for the next coffee, glass of white, or afternoon Coke Zero.Â
About the instructors:
We are lucky enough to have working relationships with both some of Pacific Palm's local legends who have been in the surf, yoga and catering game, in addition to the best of the best from down in Sydney.
All instructors are fully qualified, insured, experienced and highly empathetic to where you find yourself on your surfing and yoga roadmap.
We guarantee that you will feel well looked after, safe and equipped with everything you need to know in order to improve and grow as a surfer and yogi. The team are always there for questions and are very adept at increasing and decreasing difficulty to suit your capability and comfort level.
About the local area:
Just 15 minutes from the stunning coastline that includes Blueys, Boomerang, Celito, Elizabeth Beaches and Seal Rocks, is this uniquely beautiful part of the world is yours to explore. It's our garden of Eden that offers something for everyone in every season including beaches that face all directions for good surf in all winds, swells and for all levels of surfer!
There are too many fun things to do and stunning places to visit to list. Here's a small collection:
- Bluey's Beach Village (cafe's, boutique's, deli, surf shop)
- The Rec Club (Pacific Palms Recreation Club) for $1 oysters on a Sunday and sunset drinks over the lake
- 'Royal' Sandbar Golf Course
- Coomba Park
- Wallis Lake
- Smith's Lake
- Neranie Picnic Area on Myall Lake
- Tiona and the 'Green Cathedral' for sandbars and sunsets
- Sips at Moby's for drinks and live bands
- Whoota Whoota Lookout
- Booti Booti National Park to Elizabeth Beach Trail
- Pacific Palms Markets (monthly)
A typical day at the retreat will look something like this:
630am: Yoga / Meditation
730-815am: Breakfast (provided)
9-11am: Morning Surf Session / Lesson
12-1pm: Lunch (buy from super market or at Bluey's Beach or Smiths Lake Village)
1-2pm: Video review / surf theory
2-5pm: Afternoon activity / yoga / hot tub / swim / free time
5-7pm: Drinks and Nibbles
7-9pm: Dinner (provided)
Then maximum number of guests is 15 subject to how many couples and friends sharing rooms there are.
About the food:
Meals are typically something like this (of course we offer delicious veg options):
Breakfast
Coffee and tea, fruit, yoghurt, juice, cereal, eggs and toast (including smashed Avo and Feta) with your favourite spreads.Â
Lunches
Can be bought from super market or local cafes out and about after the surf session.
Dinners
Selections include, Salmon, chicken, beef and lamb, BBQs, soups, homemade pizza, gourmet salads and dessert. Veg options include quiche, veggie burgers, roasted veggies and salads.
Included in the cost will be:
- 3 nights accommodation (private, twin share, dorm or camping).
- 3x surf sessions with qualified and insured coaches.
- Video review and surf theory
- 3x yoga sessions
- 3 breakfasts
- 3 dinners
- Snacks and non alcoholic drinks
- Surfboard hire (Foamie)
- Retreat gift
- Wood fired hot tub ready and raring to go.
Not Included:
- Transport (to and from Sutherland Downs and to surf breaks)
- Lunches
- Wetsuit hire
- Alcoholic beverages
- Additional activities
Additional Activities Include:
Onsite at Sutherland Downs:Â
- 'Paint and Sip' art activity (advanced notice required)
- In house day spa (advanced notice required)
- In house massage (advanced notice required)
- Whoota Whoota Trail walk (no cost)
- Farm animal feeding (no cost)
- Golf lessons (advanced notice required)
Offsite activities (please inform us as early as possible, no guarantees if last minute):
- Second daily surf session (self guided or guided / coached at additional cost)
- Lake activities (there's an easy entry point / gravel boat ramp 3 minutes from the house and a proper boat ramp 8 minutes away in Coomba Park.
- SUP'ing
- Kayaking
- Fishing
- Crabbing
- Golf (Sandbar GC is 15 minutes away)
- Trip to Forster / Tuncurry
- Horseriding
- Boat Hire (via Frothy Coffee at Smith's Lake)
- E-Foiling (via GlideTime)
If you are interested in this retreat or being contacted re future retreats, please submit your details and respond to the questions to help us shape the best experience possible.
