Boutique retreat centre on your own land

Retreat leaders, wellness and creative groups, corporate teams, and guests booking places on programmes you run yourself.

Accommodation and meals per guest, venue hire to external facilitators, and fees for your own programmes.

• Hospitality and hosting
• Project managing a build or conversion
• Budgeting and bookkeeping
• Marketing and relationship building

• The startup cost estimate assumes you already own the land. The low end suits converting existing buildings, while the high end suits building several new cabins. Buying land would add substantially to the total
• Development approval, zoning and building classification differ by state and council, and can take months, so check before buying land
• Bushfire, flood, water supply and septic requirements may apply on rural sites
• Public liability, property and business interruption insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire
• Food business registration with your council and a state liquor licence if you serve alcohol
• High upfront cost and slow payback, so get independent financial advice and keep a cash buffer

Estimates are typically around $200,000 to $1,000,000, assuming you already own the land. The low end suits converting existing buildings and the high end suits building several new cabins. Buying land would add substantially, so get independent financial advice.

Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on how many guests and groups you host and your programmes. Upfront costs are high and payback is slow, so keep a cash buffer. Expect at least 40 hours a week.

Check development approval, zoning and building classification with your state and council, as these differ and can take months. Also check bushfire, flood, water supply and septic requirements, insurance, council food business registration, and a state liquor licence if you serve alcohol.