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Australia West

Rottnest Wadjemup Retreat 2025 - Bookings

This is the booking page for the SCBWI Australia West Rottnest Wadjemup Retreat.

The retreat this year will be held from June 19 to 22, 2025.

Cost

Ticket Prices are as follows. See below for inclusions.

  • Daytripper (choose Friday or Saturday): $120.00
  • Shared Twin Room (per person): $550.00
  • Single Room (single occupancy only): $870.00

Single Room bookings are for single occupancy only — accompanying non-members are not permitted except by special arrangement.

Inclusions

Included with Twin Room or Single Room ticket:

  • three nights cottage accommodation
  • admission to all general program activities on Rottnes
  • one group dinner at Frankies

Included with Daytripper tiicket:

  • General program activities on Rottnest on that day (no accommodation is covered).
  • Friday 20 June: Publisher Perspectives - Gain valuable insights from our expert publishers as they share what it is they are looking for, how the industry operates, and much more. You will also be eligible to participate in a Peer Group Critique session.
  • Saturday 21 June: Craft Conversations - Join our talented author and illustrator, Lucinda Gifford, as she offers insights into her career and expert advice on writing and illustrating for children.

Not included:

  • Manuscript / portfolio one-on-one critiques.
  • Other meals on Rottnest.
  • Ferry fare.

Please note that you do not need to book for most activities on Rottnest Island. Exceptions are:

  • Paid one-on one critiques — Bookings must be made separately, and will open at a later date. You must be attending the full retreat to participate. Paid critiques are not available with a day trip.
  • First Page First Look — Free, but limited spaces. Expressions of interest must be made when registering.
  • Peer Group WIP rounds — Free, but limited spaces. Select a group when registering.
  • Readings by Almost Candlelight — Free. Reserve a reading slot when registering if you would like to read your work.

Room Sharing Requests

If you’d like to share a room with another member, please note your request on the booking form.

While all share requests will be considered, the allocation of rooms and cottages is a complex process and no guarantees can be made. Share requests should be made by mutual agreement with those concerned.

Please note that this year, our cottages are in Thomson.

Volunteer Callout

We're looking for people to be critique timekeepers. This involves lurking in the Dome Cafe and ensuring that critique sessions stay on schedule. You will be asked to take a one-hour shift when critique sessions are running.

To volunteer for this role, please check the relevant box when you register for the Retreat. You'll then be contacted by our delighted team for follow-up.

How to Book

Bookings for the 2025 Rottnest Retreat open at 7:00pm SHARP on Thursday 20th February 2025.

Click the link below to book your ticket through TryBooking.

BOOK NOW

Confirmation and Payment

After your booking is complete, you should receive a confirmation email from TryBooking. If you don’t receive your confirmation email, check your Spam folder. If you still can’t find it, please contact Regional Advisor Jodie Davidson or Catherine Carvell for assistance.

Your place will be reserved through Trybooking, but will not be final until you have made payment in full to the SCBWI Australia West Bank Account.

Account details for payment:

Bank: NAB 

Account Name: Society of Children's Book

BSB: 082187

Account Number: 868157694

Reference: ROTTOreSURNAME

Cancellation Policy

As part of the event planning process, Regional Advisors must sign contracts with venues, speakers, critiquers, vendors, and others who will be providing services during a regional activity. Registration fees collected for an event must cover the cost of these contracts; therefore, refunds are the exception rather than the rule. In the rare case a refund is granted, it will always be less any credit card processing fees and any other processing expenses.

Anti-Harassment Policy

SCBWI is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience in its events and activities. Please review the official SCBWI Anti-Harassment Policy before booking.

Acknowledgement of Country

SCBWI Australia West recognises the cultural significance and sad history that Wadjemup (Rottnest Island) holds for Aboriginal people and acknowledges the Whadjuk Noongar people as Wadjemup’s traditional custodians.

Read more about the history of Wadjemup and steps toward reconciliation here.

Questions?

For more information about this event, please email Regional Advisor Jodie Davidson or Catherine Carvell.