Retreat FAQs

When is the Retreat?

Registration will be open between 2:00pm – 3:30pm on Saturday, 14 January 2023. The first session will begin at 3.45pm on 14 January 2023. Everyone needs to attend this first session. We will conclude on the afternoon of Saturday, 21 January 2023.

Leaving early or arriving late can be disruptive for the retreat environment, so as much as you are able, please attend from start to finish. We encourage all students to attend the full seven days and all teaching sessions.

Where is the Retreat?

The retreat will be held at the Tuncurry Memorial Hall, 7 Point Road, Tuncurry.

The hall is town based, with easy access to modern services such as supermarkets, cafes and restaurants. At the same time, there is still access to beautiful and peaceful beaches, lake and bush environments from the various forms of accommodation available.

How can I travel from Sydney or Newcastle to Forster Tuncurry area?

If you are interstate and arriving in Sydney or Newcastle and not wanting to hire a car, we suggest you first talk with other sangha friends about what they are doing. You will probably find they are also wanting to arrange something. You can also place an entry in the Retreat Facebook page. 

Using public transport and travelling from Sydney to the Forster and Tuncurry area, there are two steps. Firstly catch an XPT train from Sydney Central Railway Station to Broadmeadows Station. There is then a connection to a Busways coach from Broadmeadows Station to Forster and Tuncurry. There are numerous stops in Forster Tuncurry for the Busways Bus.

Click here to go to the XPT Booking Page 

If you are flying into Newcastle Airport, to connect with the Busways Bus, catch a taxi from the Airport to the Raymond Terrace Coach Stop in Adelaide Street, Raymond Terrace. This takes about 20 minutes.

For a timetable of the Busways coaches (and their connecting times to Broadmeadows Station and Raymond Terrace Coach Stop), please view this Busways Coach Information (Routes 150 and 151) sheet 

Who can attend?

The retreat is designed for the Rigpa sangha, other sanghas familiar with Ringu Tulku Rinpoche and/or Tibetan Buddhism and the general public. (Sangha means someone who is a member of a Rigpa mandala and/or subscribes to a Rigpa Centre.)

We warmly welcome any student who feels a connection with Rigpa or with Ringu Tulku Rinpoche and his teachings. Reflective of the current Rigpa Australia sangha, please be aware we have many students who are committed to Sogyal Rinpoche as their root teacher and as the spiritual founder of Rigpa.

If you would like more information about whether this retreat is for you, please email retreats@rigpa.org.au.

What does a retreat day look like?

Our retreat schedule is yet to be confirmed and will vary a little from day-to-day, but this is what a usual day might look like.

What are the accommodation options?

The retreat is non-residential. This means all participants will need to find accommodation in the Forster Tuncurry area. There is a wide variety of accommodation including: private AirBnB houses and apartments, holiday rentals, camping and caravan parks, holiday cabins, unstructured campgrounds, hotels, motels and B&Bs.

You can view more accomodation options here. You can also place an entry in the Retreat Facebook page. Should you need assistance in linking with others who may have booked accommodation and have spare beds or rooms, please email retreats@rigpa.org.au.

Are meals catered?

We can confirm that lunch will be offered. It may be that evening meals can be purchased from our caterer but this is not yet confirmed.

Can I bring and cook my own food?

Yes. Given the retreat is non-residential, you can find accommodation to suit self-catering requirements. There are food stores, supermarkets, cafes, restaurants and fast-food outlets in Forster Tuncurry within easy driving distance.

What do I need to bring?

You may wish to bring the following, in addition to your personal items.

• Water bottle

• Cup or mug for use at the tea and coffee station

• Bed linen, blankets, towels (depending on accommodation)

• Meditation cushion

• Paper, writing materials

• Sun protection, sunglasses, hat

• Mosquito repellent

• Light blanket

• Some warm clothing

• Umbrella, raincoat, torch

• Practice books and The Tibetan Book of Living & Dying

• A hand fan

• Personal medicines & toiletries

• Swimwear

• Covered shoes

• Stroller or pram for young children

Do you have care needs?

With prior notice, our Student Support and Care team is able to accommodate students with special care needs. When you fill in the relevant questions on the registration form you will be contacted by phone to make sure we understand your needs.

It is important that you are mindful of your physical state, especially if you are elderly. The temperatures in January can get quite high so hydration, shade and rest are essential.

Rigpa events present Tibetan Buddhist teachings and are not intended as a substitute for psychotherapy or medical treatment. Please see the advice for students with an existing psychological, psychiatric, or medical condition. Students who have not previously attended a retreat may be contacted by the Student Support Team prior to retreat to provide the information you need to ensure this type of retreat is what you expect.

Are you an Overseas student or travelling from Overseas?

We welcome students from overseas. We do recommend that travellers from countries where there is no reciprocal health care agreement, take out appropriate travel and health insurance to cover unexpected costs or illness while at retreat.

Information regarding reciprocal health care agreements with Australia can be obtained here .

Many visitors to Australia also require a visa, which can take time to process.