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Nguukarrina Kulyparrana
An immersive Eco Retreat women’s retreat grounded in culture, connection, and Country.
New retreat dates to be released.
Wentworth Region | NSW
Be taken away by the wisdom of Aboriginal women, the beauty of the bush, and the deep spiritual connection that flows through every story, ceremony, and shared moment. Across three transformative days, you’ll be guided through traditional practices including weaving, smoking ceremonies, bush medicine walks, and welcome dance, all held on sacred ground with the guidance of cultural knowledge holders.
This retreat is a space for reflection, healing, and empowerment—an invitation to return to self while walking gently on Country and honouring the Ancestors. Whether you come to reconnect, to learn, or simply to be, Nguukarrina Kulyparrana offers a powerful journey of the spirit surrounded by the strength of women and the stories of the land.
A Sacred Space to Return to Self
Step away from the noise of everyday life and into the stillness of Country.
Nguukarrina Kulyparrana is a powerful women’s camping retreat rooted in culture, connection, and spiritual renewal — created for women seeking meaning, rest, and reconnection.
Proudly hosted by Sophia Pearce, a Barkandji woman and respected cultural knowledge holder, this retreat offers a rare opportunity to walk alongside Aboriginal wisdom, ceremony, and storytelling on the sacred lands of the Murray river Milloo or Milli.
Across three days, Sophia will gently guide you through immersive cultural practices including weaving, smoking ceremonies, bush medicine walks, and welcome dance. You'll be held in a space of safety, sisterhood, and spirit — a place to reconnect with yourself, each other, and the land.
No prior experience is needed — just an open heart and a willingness to slow down and listen deeply to Country.
What’s Included
Whether you’re coming solo or with a friend, everything is taken care of for a deeply enriching experience:
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Curated cultural and wellness experiences
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Storytelling & ceremonies under the stars
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Sacred time for reflection, rest & reconnection
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Materials and take away hand made weave
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2 nights’ accommodation Fully set-up canvas tent with bed, linen, and lighting
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All meals included (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks)
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Deluxe camping chairs
Please BYO drinks. Tea, coffee & water provided all day.
About Sophia Pearce
Your retreat leader
Sophia Pearce is a proud Barkandji woman, mother, and cultural leader based in Gol Gol, along the banks of the Milli (Murray River) in south-west New South Wales.
Deeply grounded in her connection to Country, Sophia is passionate about preserving and strengthening culture and heritage through meaningful togetherness founded on trust, respect, and integrity.
Sophia is also currently undertaking her PhD and is the co-lead of RMIT University’s Yulendj Weelam Lab, where she focuses on Indigenous knowledge systems and collaborative design.
Her knowlege of country and her work with RMIT weaves together community engagement, cultural consultancy, and storytelling—ensuring that Aboriginal voices are central in shaping pathways forward. During her workshops and retreats, Sophia brings her wisdom, warmth, and lived experience to help create a cultural experience on Country.
Agenda
Friday 26th September Arrival & Welcome
Travel Day
Transfers available from Mildura Airport and Mildura Visitor Information Centre – $55 each way (van transfer; bookings essential). You can arrange to hire a car from the airport or city centre and drive yourself to Culpra Station, it takes about 45 mins easy drive.
5:00pm – Welcome Ceremony & Smoking
Begin your retreat with a powerful Welcome Ceremony led by Elders and cultural custodians. This opening ritual invites you to connect deeply with Country through the sacred smoking ceremony—a cleansing and purifying practice using native plants such as eucalyptus and tea tree. The smoke is believed to clear the mind, body, and spirit, making way for healing and new beginnings.
6:30pm – Arrival Dinner
You’ll be warmly welcomed by Sophia and Overland Adventures, beginning with a gentle ritual before enjoying a nourishing two-course wholesome meal, thoughtfully prepared to leave you feeling refreshed and connected.
Saturday, 27th September
Continental Breakfast, Morning Blessing & Introduction to Nguukarrina Kulyparrana. Begin your day with a nourishing continental breakfast, served in the fresh morning air as the land awakens around you. Enjoy a relaxed and mindful start with a selection of seasonal fruits, pastries, cereals, teas, and bush-infused refreshments.
8:30am – 9:30am
12:30pm – Lunch
1:30pm – 3:30pm
Weaving with Grasses
Under the guidance of Sophia and her cultural facilitators, you’ll be introduced to the ancient art of weaving using native grasses harvested from the region. This sacred practice is more than craft—it's a deeply spiritual and meditative process that connects us to the stories, knowledge, and lifeways of Aboriginal women across generations.
3:30pm – 5:00pm
Emu Feathers & Welcome Dance Practice
In this creative and cultural session, you’ll join together to craft ceremonial items using natural materials, including emu feathers, grasses, and fibres. Sophia is a Waakuu (Crow) woman with a totem Kirpatya (the black kangaroo)
6:00pm – 6:30pm – Sunset Ceremony at Yukoo Pilkana
As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, we gather at Yukoo Pilkana, a sacred site known for its quiet power and breathtaking views. This is a deeply spiritual moment—an opportunity to pause, reflect, and honour the setting sun as it transitions the day into night.
6:30pm – 7:00pm
Dinner – Camp Oven Cooking & Shared Stories by the Fire
As the sky darkens and the stars begin to emerge, we come together around the campfire to enjoy a hearty bush-style dinner, slow-cooked in traditional camp ovens. The aroma of roasted vegetables, meats, and native herbs fills the air, nourishing not just our bodies but our spirits after a day of deep connection and cultural practice.
The fire becomes our heartspace—warming, grounding, and gently preparing us for the sacred ceremonies to come.
Evening
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Kali Nghuukuku (Sky Dreaming Story)
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Nghuukuku Muura Dreaming Welcome Dance
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Ceremony preparations for cleansing the ground.
Sunday 28th September
On Country & Farewell
8:30am – 9:00am – Breakfast
Begin your day with a nourishing continental breakfast, served in the fresh morning air as the land awakens around you. Enjoy a relaxed and mindful start with a selection of seasonal fruits, pastries, cereals, teas, and bush-infused refreshments.
9:00am – 11:45am
Walking Tour: Bush Medicines on Country
Step softly through Country as we embark on a guided walking tour to discover the healing knowledge held within the land. Led by cultural knowledge holders, this immersive session introduces you to native bush plants and their powerful medicinal properties—wisdom passed down through the women of many generations.
This is more than a nature walk—it’s an invitation to walk in alignment with Country, to listen deeply, and to reconnect with the rhythms of the natural world through Indigenous knowledge systems that continue to thrive.
Come away with a new respect for the landscape and a deeper understanding of its healing powers, as well as your own place within it.
12:00pm – 1:30pm – Lunch
A curated healthy lunch designed for those that want to eat with the group before departure, or take away in a snack box for the drive home.
1:00pm - Packdown and depart
Farewell
Accommodation, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are arranged each day. We take all dietary requests into consideration when preparing each meal.
How to book?
Booking your place at the Nguukarrina Kulyparrana Women’s Camping Retreat 2025 is easy — choose the option that suits you best:
Option 1: Book Online
Secure your spot instantly via our online booking system. Choose your retreat package (Solo or Twin Share), pay your deposit, and receive an email confirmation with all the details.
Option 2: Submit an Enquiry
Prefer to pay via bank transfer or want to ask a few questions before booking?
Fill out our Enquiry Form or email us directly and we’ll send you an invoice. A 30% deposit is required to hold your place, with the balance due 2 weeks before the retreat.
📧 Email: hello@overlandadventures.com.au
or submit an enquiry form