Educational Escapes - CPD for Health Professionals
Our professional development retreats offer health professionals a chance to meet Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements in inspiring locations - with a focus on exceptional food, wine and nature experiences. These immersive experiences combine evidence-based education in mental health and self-care with reflective space that creates meaningful, lasting professional connections.
Take the time to reflect, restore, connect.
Like a murmuration of starlings, we believe connection creates movement, beauty and change greater than any one part alone
Our Retreats: What to Expect
Our professional development retreats are designed to restore vitality and career sustainability while strengthening the care you provide. Each experience brings together evidence-based educational workshops from a mental health expert, experiential skill development, and time to restore, reflect and connect—so you return to practice grounded, confident, and well-resourced.
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We also offer a 6 month online Supervision and Integration Package to integrate retreat learning into your work, deepen reflective work and build a Community of Practice with your retreat peers - buffering against professional isolation and burnout. Evidence suggests that without follow up, workshop attendees apply very little to their clinical practice long term, but that a community of practice and ongoing "booster sessions" offer the best learning environment to translate research into practice. Starling Health Collective groups provide accountability, skills consolidation and a forum of like-minded professionals that feel like home.
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Across all our retreats, you can expect:
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Space to reflect and restore - focus on your own wellbeing whilst recalibrating your work life.
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Practical, transferable learning to use in real clinical settings—on the ward, in the clinic etc.
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Thoughtful facilitation led by Dr Alice Morgan - combining engaging workshop style learning with peer connection and collaboration
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Exceptional settings - chosen to combine nature, food, and culture to support genuine restoration.
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A whole-experience approach - Learning is integrated with movement, mindfulness, optional wellness offerings and sumptuous food and wine offerings to support mind and body (because a little indulgence never goes astray!).
Who Our Retreats Are For
Our retreats are designed for health and caring professionals who want to care well — without burning out.
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Doctors & Medical Trainees
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Psychologists & Mental Health Clinicians
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Nurses & Allied Health Professionals
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Health Leaders & Educators
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Clinicians who want quality education without the cognitive overload
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People who enjoy good food, good company and engaging conversation
Each retreat is different in focus, but all are grounded in the same philosophy: care for yourself, strengthen your practice, and return with tools that make a difference.
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Our 2026 Retreats will be available for booking shortly, with pricing TBC. Register your interest here, and you'll be the first to know.
RETREATS, DATES AND LOCATIONS
Margaret River WA
Resilience in Practice - 1-5th Nov 2026
All health professionals
Experience the beauty of the Margaret River wine region — its beaches, wineries, and exceptional food — while gaining practical skills to support your own wellbeing, reconnect to self, and enjoy reflective, restorative learning in a truly inspiring setting. This self-care retreat moves beyond basics and teaches you ACT-based strategies to clarify your purpose, practice sustainably and recharge in an incredible location.
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Come retreat with us to the Eight Willows retreat: www.eightwillowsretreat.com.au
Margaret River WA
Trauma Essentials - 8-12th Nov 2026
All health professions
Immerse yourself in the stunning beaches, vineyards, and exceptional food of the Margaret River wine region. This incredible location makes the ideal base to step away from work and reflect on current challenges while building core competencies in trauma-informed care. Gain a practical foundation in understanding trauma, its neurobiological and psychological impacts, and safe, effective clinical responses.
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Come retreat with us to the Eight Willows retreat: www.eightwillowsretreat.com.au
Margaret River, WA
Resilience in Practice - March 2027
Doctors/consultants​
Experience the beauty of the Margaret River wine region — its beaches, wineries, and exceptional food — while gaining practical skills to support your own wellbeing, reconnect to self, and enjoy reflective, restorative learning in a truly inspiring setting. This self-care retreat moves beyond basics and teaches you ACT-based strategies to clarify your purpose, practice sustainably and recharge in an incredible location.
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Come retreat with us to the Eight Willows retreat: www.eightwillowsretreat.com.au
Margaret River, WA
Psychological approaches to chronic illness - March 2027
All health professionals
Immerse yourself in the stunning vineyards, beaches, bushland and exceptional food of the Margaret River wine region while engaging in practical, workshop based learning on the mental health aspects of physical health care - including adjustment to illness, adherence to treatment, management of chronic pain, and assessment and referral options.
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Come retreat with us to the Eight Willows retreat: www.eightwillowsretreat.com.au
Port Douglas QLD
Resilience in Practice - July 2027​
All Health Professionals
Immerse yourself in the tropical beauty of Port Douglas — from pristine beaches to ancient rainforest and exceptional food — while gaining practical skills to support your own wellbeing, reconnect to self, and enjoy reflective, restorative learning in a truly inspiring setting. This self-care retreat moves beyond basics and teaches you ACT-based strategies to clarify your purpose, practice sustainably and recharge in an incredible location.
Port Douglas, QLD
Level 2: Trauma Integration - July 2027
All health professionals
Immerse yourself in the tropical beauty of Port Douglas — from the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest to pristine beaches and exceptional local cuisine whilst levelling up your trauma knowledge. Designed for clinicians who have completed Trauma Essentials (Level 1), as well as health professionals with prior training in trauma, this program supports the transition from foundational knowledge to confident, ethical practice. The focus is on assessing trauma presentations, providing clear psychoeducation, and responding appropriately through brief interventions, longer-term treatment, or informed referral pathways.