Retreat Finder Tour Blog

Varroville, NSW, Australia

Located just an hour south of Sydney and accessible by train, the Discalced Carmelite Friars and Sisters of Mount Carmel Retreat Centre offer a wonderful opportunity to “come aside and rest a while.”

The centre offers weekend retreats throughout the year on a number of themes including ‘Praying with Carmelite Saints’, ‘What does God want me to do?’, as well as holiday retreats and a young adult retreat.  The friars at Mt Carmel are quite jovial and welcome people from all backgrounds to enjoy their hospitality.

These programs include time to unwind and relax, reflect on the talks given, attend liturgy and prayer, and if requested time for spiritual direction.

If you wish for a more private retreat, the centre has two hard walled yurts with ensuite facilities and small kitchenette. Meals can be taken at the main center or self catered and the hermitages have heat and air conditioning. Retreatants can simply take time alone, or join the community in Eucharist, the Liturgy of the Hours, and silent prayer. Spiritual direction and sacrament of reconciliation are also available.

Occupying grazing land outside the city, the centre is very quiet with open views and a few walking tracks across the land. Built in the mid 1960s the accommodations are three stories of single rooms with shared facilities for total occupation of around 40. The rooms are simple and comfortable with a twin bed, desk, lounge chair and small wardrobe. There are also a few shared kitchenettes and lounge areas. However the only air conditioning is natures own breeze.

The Novitiate house may occasionally be hired by groups for retreats. The separate building has its own full kitchen for self catering, a large lounge area, a small meeting room, and accommodations for seven in single rooms.