Earth Lodge Australia

A village gathering across generations

Australia Cambroon donation

Six days in the Conondale Ranges bring children, teens and adults together in a ceremonial village shaped around rites of passage and connection with nature. Earth Lodge Australia draws on the Sweet Medicine Sundance tradition and a three-decade history of Earth Lodge gatherings in Europe, adapting the intergenerational format for an annual September gathering in Queensland. Age-specific lodges give participants room to take part at a depth suited to their stage of life, while families share the wider community experience. The gathering welcomes individuals as well as families, and parents are supported while children are included as active members of the community. Camping is included, and meals are prepared fresh each day, with child-friendly options and fruit between meals. It is a distinctive choice for people who want a nature-based communal gathering rather than a retreat built around a conventional meditation timetable. The event runs by donation; confirm dates and practical arrangements with the hosts.

Highlights

Separate lodges for children, teens and adults within one shared gathering
A six-day, fully catered community experience
Children are included as active participants, with support for parents
Fresh daily meals, fruit between meals and simple child-friendly options
A long-running European gathering tradition brought to Australia each September

Good for

familiesindividual travelersnature loversintergenerational gatheringsspiritual practice

Setting

The gathering takes place on a property in the Conondale Ranges, near Kenilworth in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. The setting lends itself to spending time outdoors and sharing a village-style community experience.

The practice

Earth Lodge Australia is rooted in the Sweet Medicine Sundance tradition, with an emphasis on rites of passage, community and connection with nature. Participants gather in age-specific lodges for children, teens and adults, alongside the wider shared village. The program is designed for people at different life stages to engage at an appropriate depth; ask the hosts what participation involves if you are new to this tradition.

A typical day

The gathering spans six days, with age-specific lodges operating within a shared community setting. Fresh meals are prepared daily, with fruit available between meals and a self-serve tea and coffee station. The exact daily schedule is not outlined, so ask the hosts about session times and the rhythm of the day.

Accommodation

Camping is included at the gathering. Details about camping facilities and what to bring for your site are best confirmed with the hosts.

What to bring

Bring camping gear and comfortable outdoor clothing for time in nature and participation in the gathering. The yearly average temperature is 20.2°C, but conditions vary; pack layers and rain protection, especially in the wetter months of March, April and November.

Address 243 Booloumba Creek Rd, Cambroon QLD 4552, Australia

How to get there

The address is 243 Booloumba Creek Rd, Cambroon QLD 4552. The nearest train station is Nambour, and transport to the property can be arranged from there or from Sunshine Coast Airport. Contact the hosts to coordinate a transfer.

Nearest airport: Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) (40 km)

Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY), near Maroochydore, is approximately 40 km from the center. Transport can be arranged from the airport; contact the hosts to coordinate.

Nearest city: Maroochydore

Public transport: Nambour is the nearest train station; transport to the gathering can be arranged from the station.

Languages

English

Pricing

The gathering runs by donation, with no fixed fee stated. Ask the hosts how donations are handled and what they cover.

Climate

Climate Zone: Subtropical

Best Months: Sep, Jun, Aug

Avoid: Mar, Apr, Nov

The area has an annual average temperature of 20.2°C, with warmer conditions in January, February and December and cooler weather in June, July and August. September is among the driest months, while March, April and November are wetter, so conditions can vary during an outdoor gathering.

Location

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Earth Lodge Australia gathering?

It runs for six days, annually in September. Confirm the dates for the next gathering with the hosts.

Can I attend if I am new to this kind of gathering?

The event welcomes individuals and families, and participants engage at a depth suited to their stage of life. Ask the hosts about any prerequisites or what to expect as a first-time participant.

What meals are included, and can dietary needs be accommodated?

Meals are prepared fresh daily, with fruit between meals and simple child-friendly options. Listed dietary options include vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-free; confirm your needs with the hosts.

Is camping included, and what should I bring?

Camping is included. Ask the hosts what camping equipment is available or required, and bring suitable gear for outdoor conditions.

How do I get to the property without a car?

Nambour is the nearest train station, and transport can be arranged from there. Transport can also be arranged from Sunshine Coast Airport; contact the hosts to coordinate.