The Health Retreat

Petra

5

Before entering the retreat, i was feeling hopeless and was only just surviving life. I had been living like this for years. I came across an advertisement on Facebook for The Health Retreat and decided that this is what I needed. When I first got there, I was so overwhelmed but the staff were amazing and very understanding. I learnt so much during my stay and have a better understanding of stress, depression and anxiety. It was the best investment that I have ever made in myself. My life has changed so much for the better since leaving the retreat. Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey😁

Barb

5

I attended for 3 weeks. I was not in a good place. This was a game changer for me and my family. All the staff at the Health Retreat were helpful and if they weren't sure of an answer they found out the information. Every staff member contributed to this - it didn't matter what their role was. For an extremely fussy eater like me it was no problem to liaise with kitchen staff and I was not made to feel silly and annoying. In the beginning as I am really quiet I was quite nervous about speaking my thoughts but the environment felt safe; no one was judged, laughed at or made to feel stupid and I found I could just be 'me'! I attended everything to get the most help out of the Retreat. We were told that we could come back if we wanted for a day visit; this was a sincere invitation and I did return and still was made to feel comfortable. I learnt many skills and tools and prepared myself with these for when I returned home. They have been working. Thank you again to everyone at the Health Retreat.

Damian Paton

1

So where do I begin. I suffer from major depression anxiety and paranoia from psychosis. That's why I went here to get help. The room i was I was in was ok, nice and small and ok bed but ants all the room and spider. Thats ok i can deal with that but for 15grand would expect much more. The food was actually amazing and the programs they have available are very helpful and informative. the owners, who arnt registered therapists and have no rights to read my private files from therapy, lets just say nasty. you would think people who run a mental health facility would have some compassion and understanding about mental health but no they dont. So I was refused my medication until a certain time in the morning as was too early which there isnt a set time for me to take it. I take it when i feel distressed and this is for my psychosis. So I was in distress about a certain situation involving how he knew private details from my therapy sessions which when asked said thats not true. Ok fine , I still dont need to fully believe it and finish my time there. But then proceed to have a tantrum worse then my 2yr old and says since i think he is lying he kicked me out On the spot even with 9 days left. And I live in NSW and the retreat is in QLD. Yes he booked flight and uber to air port. But still not the point. And getting home involves much more organising then the 10 minutes allowed before the uber got there. But as the debate goes on as why I cant stay, goes on proceeding to say I was threatening him thats why i have to leave. Outrageously lying because a grown man cant handle me not believing him. And now is refusing to reimburse me the money for days not done saying I abused him because he knows that if thats the case they dont have to. Yes there is no refund policy but thats only if I decided to leave early or cause major breach to contract and wasnt even issued solution to solve the matter. So now i know why he is lying , but now its just blatantly them robbing me. Absolutely disgusting.

Erwin Macdowell

5

My time at The Health Retreat has been nothing short of transformative. I arrived during one of the most difficult periods of my life, carrying trauma, exhaustion, and years of emotional weight — and I am leaving with clarity, strength, and a renewed sense of purpose. The environment here is incredibly healing, but what truly sets this place apart is the people. Francis and his wonderful family create an atmosphere of genuine care, safety, and compassion. Their presence is warm, grounding, and reassuring in a way that makes you feel understood without judgment. You can see how much heart they put into every detail of the retreat. I also want to express a special thank-you to Tenelle, who introduced me to naturopathy and helped me understand the power of vitamins, supplements, and natural healing. Her knowledge, patience, and ability to explain things in a way that makes sense have given me tools I can take into the rest of my life. Every staff member I met showed kindness, professionalism, and sincerity. They supported me through some of my darkest moments, and their guidance has played a profound role in my recovery. I leave here with immense gratitude. The Health Retreat helped me rebuild when I felt broken, and I will always be thankful for the impact this place — and these people — have had on my journey. Highly recommended to anyone seeking real healing, structure, and a safe space to grow