Tuchekoi Silent Weekend Meditation Retreat

EARLY BIRD Discount available until Saturday 22 August!

Silent Weekend Meditation Retreat

Maranatha Recreation Centre, Tuchekoi

Friday 30 October – Sunday 1 November

Silent Meditation Retreat near Brisbane | Tuchekoi

The Healing Power of Meditation – Taking and Giving

Friday 30 October – Sunday 1 November | Manaratha Recreation Centre

Our Silent Meditation Retreat at Tuchekoi offers a rare opportunity to step back from the busyness of daily life and enter a space of quiet, healing, and inner clarity.

Held in the peaceful natural surroundings of Manaratha Recreation Camp, this weekend retreat focuses on the powerful Buddhist meditation practice of taking and giving — a method for transforming difficulties into compassion, and deepening our connection with others.

A Silent Weekend of Meditation, Healing & Inner Peace

Your mind holds remarkable healing power. This retreat offers you the chance to tap into that potential through one of Buddha’s most profound meditation practices, known as “taking and giving.”

This ancient meditation transforms the simple act of breathing into a powerful practice for healing. Through it, you can work with mental pain, navigate sorrow and loss, and even find relief from physical discomfort—all while cultivating deep peace, love, and compassion.

In silence we have the opportunity to deeply absorb into these meditation practices and experience their transformation effects. Step away from the busyness of daily life and give yourself a weekend of healing and renewal.

The retreat will be guided by our Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Ani, drawing on authentic Buddhist teachings that show how to transform life’s challenges into a path of inner strength and compassion.

The practice of taking and giving is a profound yet practical meditation that helps us:

  • Reduce self-centred thinking
  • Open our heart to others
  • Transform difficulties into opportunities for growth

These are gentle, accessible teachings that can be applied directly in daily life.

A Fully Guided Silent Retreat – Suitable for All Levels

Each session builds gently on the last, allowing you to relax into the practice at your own pace. Whether you’re brand new to meditation or have been practicing for years, you’ll find this retreat accessible, nourishing, and deeply peaceful.

You’ll leave feeling:

  • More peaceful and centred
  • Connected to your inner healing potential
  • Equipped with practices you can use in daily life
  • Uplifted and inspired

A Nourishing Weekend Retreat with Accommodation Included

Everything is taken care of so you can fully relax and go deeper into the experience.

✔️ Two nights’ accommodation
✔️ All guided meditation sessions
✔️ Delicious vegetarian meals provided
✔️ Peaceful, supportive retreat environment

Enjoy the Peaceful Surroundings of Tuchekoi

Set amongst wide open spaces and natural beauty, the retreat venue provides the perfect environment to unwind and reset.

During breaks, you can enjoy:

  • Quiet time in nature
  • Gentle walks in open surroundings
  • Access to a swimming pool
  • Space to rest, reflect, and absorb the experience

Accommodation Options – Meditation Retreat Tuchekoi

There are a range of accommodation options available to suit different preferences:

  • Camping
  • Dormitory-style shared rooms
  • Twin share rooms
  • Single rooms

Places are limited, and accommodation is allocated on a first-come basis.

A Fully Inclusive Weekend Away

✨ Your retreat fee includes all meditation sessions, accommodation, and meals ✨

Take Time to Be Still

If you’ve been feeling the need to step away, reset, and reconnect with a deeper sense of peace, this silent retreat offers a rare and meaningful opportunity.

👉 Book soon to secure your place and choose your preferred accommodation.

Dates & Times

Friday 30 October – Sunday 1 November

Registration opens 5pm Friday with dinner at 6pm.

The weekend finishes with Sunday lunch at 12:30pm

Venue

Situated in the peaceful Noosa hinterland, near the small country towns of Cooroy and Pomona, Manaratha Recreation Centre in Tuchekoi offers a quiet natural setting surrounded by rolling hills and open countryside.
The retreat venue is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes by car from Brisbane and around 45 minutes from Noosa and the Sunshine Coast.

ADDRESS:  Maranatha Recreation Centre | 115 Kress Rd, Tuchekoi QLD 4570

Accommodation options & cost

Maranatha Recreation Centre at Tuchekoi offers simple but comfortable accommodation. Delicious vegetarian meals and refreshments are provided and retreat prices are inclusive of food, accommodation and all retreat sessions.

EARLY BIRD discounts available until midnight on Saturday 22 August!

Bookings close midnight on Tuesday 27 October.

Camping $400 (per person) ***EARLY BIRD SPECIAL - $360 (per person)***

Bring your own tent, camping gear, linen & towel/s. Prices are all-inclusive of meals, refreshments, accommodation & the retreat fee. accommodation & the retreat fee.

Campervan $400 (per person) ***EARLY BIRD SPECIAL - $360 (per person)***

Bring your own campervan with bedding/linen. Prices are all-inclusive of meals, refreshments, accommodation & the retreat fee.accommodation & the retreat fee.

Bed in a Female Shared Room $420 (per person) ***EARLY BIRD SPECIAL - $380 (per person)***

The shared-rooms are light, spacious, and air-conditioned, with up to 5 beds per room and shared bathrooms facilities nearby. Please bring all your own bedding with you, including pillow, sheets, sleeping bag & towel. Prices are all-inclusive of meals, refreshments, accommodation & the retreat fee.

Bed in a Male Shared Room $420 (per person) ***EARLY BIRD SPECIAL - $380 (per person)***

The shared-rooms are light, spacious, and air-conditioned, with up to 5 beds per room and shared bathrooms facilities nearby. Please bring all your own bedding with you, including pillow, sheets, sleeping bag & towel. Prices are all-inclusive of meals, refreshments, accommodation & the retreat fee.

Single Room - no ensuite $750 (per person)

Private air-conditioned single rooms with shared bathroom facilities nearby. Some rooms may be configured with two or three single beds. Please bring all your own bedding with you, including pillow, sheets, sleeping bag & towel. Prices are all-inclusive of meals, refreshments, accommodation & the retreat fee.

Single Ensuite Room $900 (per person)

Private air-conditioned single ensuite room. Rooms maybe configured with single beds or a queen bed. Please bring all your own bedding with you, including pillow, sheets, sleeping bag & towel. Prices are all-inclusive of meals, refreshments, accommodation & the retreat fee.

Single Ensuite Studio with balcony $950 (per person)

Private air-conditioned single ensuite studio with a balcony. Rooms maybe configured with single beds or a queen bed. Please bring all your own bedding with you, including pillow, sheets, sleeping bag & towel. Prices are all-inclusive of meals, refreshments, accommodation & the retreat fee.

Twin Room - no ensuite $1100 (price for 2 people)

Private air-conditioned twin rooms with shared bathroom facilities nearby. Some rooms may be configured with three single beds. Please bring all your own bedding with you, including pillow, sheets, sleeping bag & towel. Prices are all-inclusive of meals, refreshments, accommodation & the retreat fee.

Twin Ensuite Room $1250 (price for 2 people)

Private air-conditioned twin ensuite studio. Bedding configurations may vary, including twin beds or a queen with an additional bed. Please bring all your own bedding with you, including pillow, sheets, sleeping bag & towel. Prices are all-inclusive of meals, refreshments, accommodation & the retreat fee.

Twin Ensuite Studio with balcony $1300 (price for 2 people)

Private air-conditioned twin ensuite studio with a balcony. Bedding configurations may vary, including twin beds or a queen with an additional bed. Please bring all your own bedding with you, including pillow, sheets, sleeping bag & towel. Prices are all-inclusive of meals, refreshments, accommodation & the retreat fee.

Double Ensuite Room $1250 (price for 2 people)

Private air-conditioned double ensuite studio with a queen bed. Please bring all your own bedding with you, including pillow, sheets, sleeping bag & towel. Prices are all-inclusive of meals, refreshments, accommodation & the retreat fee.

Double Ensuite Studio with balcony $1300 (price for 2 people)

Private air-conditioned double ensuite studio with a balcony and a queen bed. Please bring all your own bedding with you, including pillow, sheets, sleeping bag & towel. Prices are all-inclusive of meals, refreshments, accommodation & the retreat fee.

Our Teacher

The teacher of this weekend meditation retreat is Gen Kelsang Ani.  Gen Ani is Resident Teacher of Kadampa Meditation Centre Brisbane and teaches all the main classes and courses at the Centre. Gen Ani has been studying and practising Modern Kadampa Buddhism with Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for over 20 years. She teaches with warmth and compassion, making modern Buddhism accessible and applicable to all.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Silent Meditation Retreat

Do I need any meditation experience before attending the Tuchekoi retreat?

No experience is necessary. This weekend retreat is suitable for both beginners and more experienced meditators.

Everything is clearly explained, and all meditations are gently guided. You can simply follow along and take the weekend at your own pace.

What does “silent retreat” mean on this weekend?

The retreat will be fully silent from Friday night through to mid-morning on Sunday. During this time, only the teacher will speak to guide the meditations.

On Friday evening, there will be a relaxed introduction where everything is explained — what silence involves, how the weekend works, and how to communicate if needed.

What if I need to communicate with someone during the retreat?

There will be a simple written communication system available for essential practical needs, which will be explained on Friday evening.

In the case of an emergency, normal communication will resume as needed.

What is the schedule for the weekend retreat?

The retreat begins with an introduction on Friday evening.

On Saturday, there are four sessions, and on Sunday there are two sessions. Each session is around 1 hour and 15 minutes and includes gentle teachings and guided meditations.

Between sessions, there is time to rest, enjoy meals, take a walk in the peaceful surroundings, or simply be still.

What is the purpose of observing silence during the retreat?

The silence isn’t about restriction — it’s there to support a deeper experience.

By stepping back from conversation and everyday interaction, the mind naturally becomes calmer and clearer. This makes it much easier to connect with the meditations and experience a deeper sense of inner peace.

What if my mind feels busy or I can’t stop thinking?

This is completely normal.

The aim of meditation is not to stop thoughts altogether, but to gently guide them in a more peaceful and constructive direction. With practice, the mind naturally settles.

You can’t do it wrong — just keep going gently.

Can I use my phone or read during the retreat?

We encourage you to switch your phone off for the duration of the retreat.

The purpose of the weekend is to disconnect from usual busyness and experience inner peace. Staying connected to messages or news can easily disturb that.

Reading is allowed, and it’s helpful to choose something related to the retreat topic to support your experience.

What to Expect & Photo Gallery

During the retreat you’ll experience uplifting teachings and guided meditations that introduce you to the practice step-by-step. You’ll discover how your natural capacity for love, compassion, and wisdom can become a genuine source of healing and transformation.

Each session builds gently on the last, allowing you to relax into the practice at your own pace. Whether you’re brand new to meditation or have been practicing for years, you’ll find this retreat accessible, nourishing, and deeply peaceful.