Retreat Finder Tour Blog

Newtown, NSW, Australia

Located about 45 minutes outside Sydney this retreat of the FWBO Sydney Buddhist Centre is quite rustic yet appears well loved by its members at they return year after year on retreat. The Sydney Buddhist Centre holds about 25 programs a year here and also hires out the facility.

Starting its life as a temporary military barrack, the retreat has recently been brought up to modern code but the facility is definitely a work in progress. There are about 10 dormitory rooms that accommodate a total of 25-30 people. But if you are uncomfortable with camping or the crawling creatures of nature, this is not the retreat for you. If however, you would like to work on your attachments and aversions, the multitudinous cobwebs, stained ceilings and worn patchwork carpet will offer you excellent practice.

In contrast to the living spaces at the center, the meditation hall has been looked after with newer carpet, paint and is quite comfortable for a group of up to 20.