Tocal 2026 Writing Retreat
Do you have a work-in-progress that needs your time and attention? Do you want to bring your work into focus? Pen and Pause Hunter Valley Writing Retreats are designed to help you do just that. Prioritise your writing journey and carve out the time your creativity deserves in a unique, fully catered setting.
Retreat features
Our writing retreats are geared towards focus and productivity, providing the ideal environment to nurture your creative process and help you achieve your writing goals.
Focus & Productivity
Daily planning sessions, timed pomodoro sessions, and scheduled solo writing time to develop your projects in a controlled environment.
Supportive Community
Opportunity for sharing, peer review and discussions in a safe space, with individual mentoring and feedback outside of scheduled activities.
Tranquil Setting
Located at Tocal's Glendarra Group Accommodation, a tranquil rural setting with modern amenities to nurture your creative process. Fully airconditioned rooms, serviced daily.
Rediscover your passion
Challenge yourself and join us as we share practical, implementable steps to focus your writing approach. You will love this uplifting experience. Be inspired within a fellowship of writers who share your goals. Come write with friends and get moral support from people who understand the writer life!
What you can expect from a Pen and Pause Tocal Writing Retreat:
- A Writing Retreat geared toward FOCUS and PRODUCTIVITY for writing.
- Daily morning planning sessions using time-blocking techniques.
- Daily group progress and recap debriefs.
- Opportunity for sharing, peer review and discussions in a safe space.
- Optional guided group sessions and workshops to spark inspiration, explore time -management strategies, and organisational techniques to ground healthy writing habits.
- Timed pomodoro sessions for writing productivity.
- Scheduled solo writing time to focus on developing projects in a controlled environment.
- In the afternoons, you will be free to write in the solitude and quiet of your own room, potter alone, or join the group.
- The opportunity to meet other creatives and connect in a supportive environment.
- Individual mentoring / feedback outside of scheduled activities.
The Tocal Venue
Tocal is a tranquil rural setting with all the modern amenities to nurture your creative process.
Accommodation
- Single rooms each with own ensuite, and desk.
- All linen and towels provided.
- Rooms are serviced daily.
- All rooms and spaces are fully air-conditioned.
- Cozy lounge areas.
- Comfortable function room for work sessions.
Catering
- All meals catered - kitchen and BBQ available.
- Breakfast, Morning tea, Lunch, Afternoon Tea and Dinner.
- Tea and coffee available.
- Other dietary requirements can be catered for - arrangements need to be made well in advance and a $5 per meal surcharge applies.
Facilities
- Accessible venue with Wi-Fi and ample parking.
- Access to walking paths and swimming pool.
- Laundry facilities available if needed.
- This is a working farm, and as such, wildlife abounds, including snakes. Please bring closed shoes, appropriate outerwear and sun protection.
Location
Tocal is situated in the lower Hunter Valley, NSW. Located approximately 11 kilometres north of Maitland, and about 180 kilometres north of Sydney it is located at the junction of the Paterson River and Webbers Creek.
The historic town of Paterson is a brief 5-minute drive away.
Note: As it is a rural area, public transport is limited.
815 Tocal Rd, Paterson NSW 2421
(Glendarra is the entry across the road from the main entrance.)
When:
Join us for 4 days and 3 nights at Tocal Glendarra function centre from Monday, 23/02/2026 until Thursday, 26/02/2026.
Accommodation and catering fully provided so you can focus on what really matters: exploring your creative process.
Pricing
Save 15% by taking advantage of our EARLY BIRD OFFER!
Pen and Pause Tocal Feb. 2026 Writing Retreat
Pen and Pause Tocal Feb. 2026 Writing Retreat
EARLY BIRD PRICE ENDS 12 JANUARY 2026!
NOTE: If you have any dietary requirements, please make sure to find the MENU SURCHARGE in Upcoming Events and add it to your ticket.
Do you have a work-in-progress that needs your time and attention? Do you want to bring your work into focus?
Whatever you are writing, be it prose or poetry, fiction or non-fiction, we want you to tell your story. Join us from 23/02/2026 to 26/02/2026 for our Pen and Pause Summer Writing retreat at Tocal's Glendarra Group Accommodation for practical, implementable steps to guide your writing back on track.
Prioritise your writing journey and carve out the time your creativity deserves in a unique, fully catered setting.
We want to help you realise your goals.
If you have special dietary requirements, there is a $5 per meal surcharge as part of the venue policy.
Please add this option to your cart in addition to your retreat ticket.
Please do let us know well in advance what your requirements are to ensure we have enough time to facilitate it.
Your perfect escape
Imagine yourself surrounded by other creatives, all striving to unlock their inner potential. Our retreats offer inspiration, community, and a commitment to helping you challenge yourself and achieve your writing dreams. Our Pen and Pause Summer Writing retreat at Tocal's Glendarra Group Accommodation are waiting for you.
Ready to transform your writing?
This retreat is for all writers at any stage of their careers. Whether you have always wanted to write but never found the time, or whether you're already deeply immersed in a creative project and want to find the way to take it to the next level. If you’re waiting for the perfect time to write, or the perfect place in which to write, this retreat is a MUST for you.
Sundial at Tocal Agricultural College
"HORAS NON NUMERO NISI SERENAS"
Translates to "I count only the hours that are serene."
Fine Print & FAQs
Please familiarise yourself with the venue's Code of Conduct, we aim for an inclusive, safe space.
Our Terms and Conditions are reliant on Venue terms and conditions, and as such, we strictly adhere to the venue's cancellation Policy.
Find frequently asked questions here.