Zone 3 Retreat FAQs
Registration
You will need to complete and submit a registration which you can access by clicking on 'REGISTER HERE' button on retreat website - https://saiaustralia.org.au/zone3retreat
Registrations will close as soon as the venue capacity is reached.
The registration fee for attendees over 18 years is $100. There is no fee for children under 18 years. Any motel accommodation charges are not included in the registration fee. There is no cost for camping or staying in the dormitory accommodation at the college.
The registration fee is to cover the costs associated with organizing the retreat including catering, equipment and other facilities hire costs.
Payment by credit card or debit card is preferred. Registration is not confirmed until a payment is received.
To modify or cancel your registration, please contact our registration team at registration@sssio.org.au
Yes, registration transfers are permitted. Please contact registration@sssio.org.au to arrange the transfer.
Please contact your SSSIO Region President.
There will be no walk-in registrations.
Travel and Accommodation
We have the following accommodation recommendations. Hotel accommodation must be booked by the participants.
Accommodation Options - please read the below carefully before going on to the next question.
There are multiple accommodation options that are available at the Zone 3 Retreat 2025.
Motels in/near Murwillumbah
Attendees who wish to stay at these venues need to book and pay for their accommodation directly. Phone the hotel and mention "Booking for Sai Retreat Booking 2025" or book online via booking.com. Please familiarise yourself with the accommodation facilities and cancellation policy of the motels that you are booking with.
Note: The High School Campus (main venue) in Dungay is a 7-minute drive from the Primary School Campus in Murwillumbah.
- Murwillumbah Motor Inn (Approximately 1 minute drive to the Primary Campus)
Tel: 0266722022
Contact person: Murray & Sharon
Email: Reception@mminn.com.au
Address: 17 Byangum Road, Murwillumbah, NSW 2484 - Gallery Motel (Approximately 5 minutes to the Primary Campus)
Tel: 0266723666
Contact person: Susie
Email:info@galeriemotel.com
Address: 453 Tweed Valley Way, South Murwillumbah, NSW 2484 - Tweed River Motel (Approximately 11 minutes to the Secondary Campus)
Tel: 0266723933
Contact person: Bob
Website: https://www.tweedrivermotel.com.au/
Address: 55 Tweed Valley Way, Murwillumbah, NSW 2484 - The Imperial Hotel (Approximately 1 minute to the Primary Campus)
Tel: 0266727000
Website: https://www.impy.com.au/
Address: 115 Murwillumbah Street, 2484 Murwillumbah, NSW 2484 - Krishna Village – New Govardhana (Approximately 20 minutes to the Primary Campus)
Tel: 0457429900
Website: https://krishnavillage-retreat.com/
Address: 525 Tyalgum Road, Eungella, NSW 2484 - Camping at the College (outdoors) - there are limited free camping spots on Sathya Sai College, Secondary Campus grounds. Attendees who prefer a camping option will need to bring all their own camping gear including tents and sleeping requirements.
- Dorm-style accommodation at the College (indoors) - there will be limited free, gender-segregated, dormitory-style sleeping accommodation in classrooms available at Sathya Sai College Primary Campus and Secondary Campus. Please note that the main venue for the retreat is the Secondary Campus, and the Primary Campus is about five kilometres away from the main venue. NOTE: Attendees who prefer dorm-style accommodation will need to bring all their own cots or air mattresses, sleeping bags, linen and pillows as no bedding will be provided.
- AirBNB : If you wish to book an AirBNB, These suburbs are within a 20-to-30-minute drive from the retreat venue - Banora point, Fingal Head, Kingscliff, Tweed heads, Byangum, Eungella, Hastings point, Casuarina and Nobby’s creek
Transport assistance will be provided by volunteer members in relation to airport transfers and between the retreat venue and the motels/inn in Murwillumbah. We encourage attendees who plan to arrive on Friday, 18 April to book their flights so that they arrive at Gold Coast airport between 12.00 pm and 4.00 pm. Attendees who intend arriving on Saturday, 19 April 2024, please book your flight to arrive at Gold Coast airport between 6.00 am and 8.00 am. Transfer to Gold Coast airport will be available to attendees on Sunday, 20 April 2024 between 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm. All interstate and overseas devotees are encouraged to fly into Gold Coast airport. If anyone requires transport to and from Brisbane airport, please contact registration@sssio.org.au. The organising committee would appreciate attendees who intend driving to the retreat to volunteer to help with transport duties. Further information regarding the detail of transport arrangements will be provided in due course. The committee will contact registered attendees who have requested transport assistance to obtain and confirm flight and accommodation arrangements.
The Sathya Sai College Secondary Campus is the main retreat venue located at 16 Jack Williams Place, Dungay, NSW 2484.
The Sathya Sai College Primary Campus is located at 9 Nullum Street, Murwillumbah, NSW 2484.
Both the campuses are about 37 kilometres from the Gold Coast airport, a drive of 35 to 40 minutes and about 5 kilometres from the town centre, a drive of 7 to 10 minutes. The campuses are in the vicinity of Mount Warning which is of cultural significance to the local Aboriginal people and is a popular landmark in northern New South Wales.
Conference Schedule
The retreat program focuses on the theme ‘Journey With SAI’.
Key highlights include:
- Devotional programs
- Service opportunities
- Inspiring talks
- Workshops and young adult sessions
- A parallel SSE program
A detailed program will be sent once registered.
Accessibility and Special Requirements
Yes, the venue is fully accessible. If you have any specific needs or require special accommodations, please let us know in advance at registration@sssio.org.au
We will provide various dietary options. If you have specific dietary needs, please indicate them during registration or contact registration@sssio.org.au
Yes, there will be ample free parking available at the school.
Contact Information
For additional questions, please contact our retreat team at registration@sssio.org.au
Check out our retreat website - https://saiaustralia.org.au/zone3retreat
Health and Safety
We will take reasonably practical steps to eliminate risks to create a safe environment for everyone who attends. Specific measures will be detailed on the information pack that will be sent closer to the event.
If you are feeling unwell, please contact us at registration@sssio.org.au to discuss your options.
Other Questions
We will have a separate seating section available if you don't want to miss the great sessions being planned whilst being able to be with your children. Children between 4 and 17 are expected to participate in the parallel SSE program. Children under 4 must be supervised by parents at all times as no supervision service is available.
This is the exciting part - we would love to have as many people involved. Upon registration, there will be options for you to choose as to how you’d like to get involved - each person will have one task, so there are plenty of ways in which you can be a part of this exciting weekend! Our team leads will reach out to you depending on your allocated task.
Modest and comfortable clothing appropriate for a spiritual retreat.
As there will be both indoor and outdoor activities planned, please ensure that your child is dressed comfortably and brings along some stationery (pencils, pens, colour pencils, textas, notebook etc), a small bottle of sunscreen, a water bottle with their name on it, a sun hat and protective clothing and footwear.
All children are to be dressed in modest and comfortable clothing. Further information will be provided for the attire/costume for the SSE drama.
SSSIO Zone 3 Retreat 2025 Organising Committee will be videoing and taking photographs throughout the retreat. These images may be used for articles, reporting requirements of the SSSIO, social media and website posts and for promotion of future SSSIO events. In accordance with SSSIO policies, only nominated persons will be allowed to video and take photographs at the retreat. The nominated persons will be following SSSIO guidelines in videoing and photography. Attendees are not allowed to video or photograph throughout the retreat. By registering for the retreat, you acknowledge and agree to the above.
Any surplus amount will be donated to the Sathya Sai College in Murwillumbah.
All information collected will only be used for retreat purposes. No personal information will be held or used after the conclusion of the retreat.