Natural Medicine Retreat
Movement, Meditation & Martial Arts
26-27 September, 2026
Join us for a deeply nourishing weekend this spring in the rainforest playground of Avana, a riverside sanctuary away from the hustle in the Byron Hinterland.
This weekend is an expression of the practices we use to ground us in a sense of wellness, practices we use as medicine for our bodies, our minds, and our spirits.
Movement. Meditation. Martial Arts.
Nature. Play. Community.
A unique opportunity to drop into the slow flow of time in nature, to enhance your physical and mental well-being, and to explore practices that help us come back to a state of balance and harmony.
What to Expect
Imagine two days down by the creek and under the forest canopy, a microbreak from devices and life’s demands. Instead, an opportunity to be present right now, as you explore your physical capacity and movement literacy. Whether it’s our daily movement or martial arts sessions, recovery in the sauna or cooling off in the creek, playing on the land, or feeling the heat from the fire on our faces, this weekend is an invitation into presence through the portal of the body.
One of the primary offerings of this weekend is to learn foundational Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) from Black Belt coaches Alex Scott and Anna Fitzgerald. Taking a fun approach to learning, they’ll introduce key concepts for self defence and the fundamentals of BJJ through solo drills, partner work, and grappling games.
These BJJ sessions will be suitable for everyone; whether you’re curious but never tried a class, new to the sport and want to broaden your understanding, or an active practitioner keen to learn new some new skills. All levels will be able to fully participate and learn.
The movement sessions will dovetail with our BJJ to expand our movement ability, develop our sensitivity of working together, and provide a framework for progressing physical skills.
Alongside these active practices, we’ll have periods of stillness and silence as we open/close the day with mindfulness and meditation. Wrapping up our weekend we’ll have a vibrational realignment sound journey which is essentially using the vibration and frequencies of multiple instruments to penetrate at the cellular level to help deeply relax & reset.
We look forward to moving our bodies, stilling our minds, connecting with community, and dropping into the natural pace of the river and rainforest with you all.
“ It was truly one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and I can't thank you enough for all the effort, energy, and passion you both put into making it such a memorable event. The opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with everyone was beyond special. Your guidance, encouragement, and dedication created such an inspiring and uplifting atmosphere, and I feel so grateful to have been part of something so impactful.”
— Yoonseo Hwang
This immersion is set in the hinterland of Byron Bay at Avana, a wellness sanctuary providing immersive human experiences to reset and recharge your life force.
Avana Byron sits on 5 acres of subtropical hinterland with a creek running through it, wood-fired sauna, ice baths, glamping and camping options. Sleep under canvas by the creek, wake up to birdsong, and let the rest of the world wait.
Who is the Natural Medicine Retreat for?
The most valuable possession you have is your physical body, and the only person who can truly look after it is you.
Your body is always working to come back to a state of homeostasis. We have everything we need inbuilt to come back to a state of balance and harmony, a state of wholeness.
We can help, or we can hinder this natural and inbuilt instinct to heal and re-balance. Sometimes we need help, guidance, and community to help us remember.
This retreat is for those wanting to take more self-responsibility for their wellbeing. For those willing to traverse a path of effort to find the ease within, the balance of hard and soft, movement and stillness the spectrum of experience so that we increase our range of capacity.
This retreat is for those wanting to explore using movement, meditation, and martial arts as natural medicine for your body, mind and spirit. For those seeking positive growth and learning, a return to being playful and explorative, witnessed in community, and held in the steady presence of nature.
Meet Your Coaches
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Alex Scott
Grappling Coach & Facilitator
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Anna FitzGerald
Grappling Coach & Facilitator
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Troy Abraham
Sound Journey
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TBA
Movement Coach
Your Place is Ready
You’re one step away from joining a wholesome weekend exploring wellness and balance through movement and martial arts, immersed in nature and community.
Every event we host is designed with intention, from the atmosphere we create to the way each session flows. Whether you're coming to learn, connect, or simply recharge, we’ll be looking to create an experience that leaves you with a renewed sense of well-being and cup overflowing.
Experience Details
Sept 26 – 27
Next Dates
2 days 1 night
Duration
$750 - $1000
Pricing
What’s Included
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We blend guided moments and workshops with open exploration, space for quiet time in nature, and relaxed time in community—to create a weekend that feels both focused and fluid. Moving together as a group through various practices and disciplines, using our bodies as direct portals to presence and play.
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Our experienced team of coaches and facilitators look forward to sharing their knowledge, time, and energy with you all.
The Avana crew will be present to welcome us to the land and share their home with us.
Alex and Anna will be your key facilitators and martial arts coaches, shaping the container which will hold us all over the weekend in safety, trust, fun and growth. Having over 20 years experience in BJJ, including over 15 years coaching across all age groups and experience levels locally and internationally, Alex and Anna specialise in sharing Jiu Jitsu through the lens of it being a healthy physical practice and a mindfulness practice.We’ll have guest coaches joining us for the movement sessions, highly skilled and leaders in their fields.
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Connection is a core part of the process. Whether it’s wrestling together, sweating in the sauna, or sitting around the fire, we’ll be doing it together.
Come with an open heart and mind, prepare to contribute in, and be willing to learn from everyone present.
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Our events prioritize compassion, safety, and respect while also exploring and engaging in practices that may challenge you or may require courage. Come as you are, come ready to offer support, and be ready to receive that support in like.
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Surrounded by rainforest and river, every space at AVANA has been intentionally designed as a living sanctuary to bring people together through nature, community and meaningful shared experience.
Every retreat guest will have access to:
Exclusive 5-acres of land surrounded by subtropical rainforest & native wildlife.
Flowing creek running through the full length of the land, with multiple access locations and swimming spots.
Detox and revitalise in the wood-fired sauna and ice baths.
A peaceful wide lawn in which we’ll have our BJJ and Movement space under a large festival tent. This will also be our fire circle and communal dining area, and has other recreational activities.
The original homestead provides a comfortable indoor space for all of us with full amenities incl the only wifi on the property.
Outdoor bathrooms offer a delightful and unexpected experience for every guest. Featuring bamboo toilets with glass roofs and showers under the stars.
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This weekend will move through a combination of directed sessions and free time including:
Daily Brazilian Jiu Jitsu / grappling sessions
Daily movement workshops
Silent meditation and mindfulness practices
Recovery hot/cold therapy
Sound Journey
Opening / closing circles
Shared meals
Evening fire and free time
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Onsite accommodation is available on Saturday night for those wanting to maximise their retreat experience.
Your camping options at Avana:
Glamping in the Rainforest
The shaded rainforest holds our Glamping Bell Tents, dotted along the river with comfy beds and beautiful linen.
Alternatively,
BYO tent and bedding. For those equipped with their own gear, stay on the land but in your own tent / vehicle.
Tickets include accommodation for Saturday 26th Sept only. Option to add on extra nights at own cost (to be arranged with Avana).
Day tickets only are also available - with no accommodation provided.
Fresh local produce designed to nourish and support you over the weekend will be provided for main meals on all tickets.
You will be redirected to our secure checkout page to complete your reservation.
If you prefer to pay via bank transfer or have any questions, please fill out the form and we will send you details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and reserve your place.
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The weekend will run from around 8:30am Saturday 26th - 5pm Sunday 27th September.
Accommodation included in your ticket is booked onsite for the evening of Saturday 26th September only.
You are welcome to book extra nights accommodation directly with Avana.
There is the option for day tickets only, in which case no accommodation is included in your ticket and arrival will be prior to the sessions starting at 8:30am each day.
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The retreat will be held at Avana, Wilson’s Creek. Although it feels like a world away, Avana is only approx 15-20 minutes from Mullumbimby a small town that would have most supplies.
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You are responsible for your transport to/from the venue. It’s an easy drive from Mullumbimby or Byron Bay and there is plenty of onsite parking. You won’t be able to rely on public transport.
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There are 3 tiers of ticket.
Camping in Bell tent - $1000
Camping in BYO tent - $850
Day ticket only - $750 for whole weekend, or $400 per day.
All ticket types will have access to:
Opening and closing circles
Daily guided movement sessions
Daily BJJ / grappling training
Morning and night meditation and mindfulness practices
Daily woodfired sauna and ice bath recovery sessions
All facilities and spaces on Avana land.
3 main meals catered Sat + Sun
Fireside chats and community time
For those travelling from out of town, there is the option to include a nights accommodation onsite for the evening of Sat 26th Sept either in your own tent/vehicle, or in the onsite bell tents.
Any extra nights accommodation is not included in the ticket, and is to be arranged with the venue.
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Open to everyone, all levels of fitness welcome, no previous experience required across any of the disciplines we'll explore.
Everyone will be encouraged and able to participate and people at any experience level will walk away with new ideas and new skills.
We encourage you to go at your own level and pace, do as much or as little as you feel.
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This weekend is open to all ages, however under 18s must have a guardian present at all times.
A note on this: some of the practices we will be exploring, particularly the parts that are more meditative, might not be always appropriate for kids. If you're bringing your child, please come ready to step out and tend to them when needed.
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This is a drug and alcohol free event.
Please only bring prescription medication onsite and let the work, practices, and nature be all that you need for a good time and to get high on life.
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This Wellness Weekend takes place outdoors. The property includes sheltered areas for gathering and the retreat will go ahead in wet or changeable weather. We encourage you to come prepared for a range of conditions with appropriate clothing and gear.
We will only cancel or postpone the event in the case of extreme weather that poses a safety risk, such as bushfires, flooding, or severe weather warnings. If this occurs, the retreat will be rescheduled. Your payment can either be transferred to the new date or fully refunded if you are unable to attend.
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Booking Terms & Conditions
Please review the following information carefully before proceeding with your reservation.
Pricing & Payment Schedule
Total Trip Price: $750-$1000 AUD per person dependent on ticket tier.
Reservation Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of $150 AUD is required today to secure your spot.
Remaining Balance Milestones: The balance will be invoiced via email and is due 12th September.
Cancellation & Transfer Policy
Deposit: The initial deposit is non-refundable. However, it is transferable to another person for the same trip (subject to approval).
Balance Payments: Once paid, the balance is non-refundable but may be transferred to another person upon receiving written confirmation from both parties.
We reserve the right to cancel the event should minimum numbers for the event to run not be met. In this instance, we will refund you the amount paid.
Liability
By booking this trip, you acknowledge the inherent risks associated with martial arts and all activities offered and agree to assume all such risks.Can't purchase tickets straight up? Inquire about our payment plans or send any questions via email to admin@freerangebjj.com
Any Questions?
We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Click below to get in touch with us directly any time.