Arts Residency
Where the forest meets the sea and creativity finds space to grow.
Come and create with new and old friends at Noonyara Retreat.
Join us in guided and self guided creative residencies and wellness retreats.
Our residency program is designed to suit varying levels of experience with visiting artists providing coaching, expertise and an opportunity for reflection.
Creative disciplines include ceramics, game design, painting, photography, printmaking and writing.
As part of our commitment to the arts we partner with supporting organisations to provide residency fellowships.
Read on for our current program offerings and subscribe to stay up to date for new offerings.
Our 2027 residency program outline will be released shortly.
Have an idea for a residency? Contact us to discuss.
Create • Explore • Belong
2026 Writers Residency + Fellowship
Fri 4 to Fri 11 September 2026
We are excited to announce the following Writers Fellowships for the September 2026 Noonyara Retreat Writers Residency.
The Apollo Bay WORDfest Fellowship has been awarded to:
Sophie Overett
The Noonyara Retreat Writers Fellowship has been awarded to:
Anthea Batsakis
Chloe Paige
Karen Viggers
Congratulations to all writers, we look forward to having you attend Noonyara Retreat. Both fellowships are new for 2026 and we are thrilled to have ApolloBay WORDfest onboard for this Writers Residency.
2026 Residency Program
Writers Residency + Fellowship
September Friday 4 to Friday 11 2026
Self-directed writers retreat for up to four writers
Applications open July 11 and close August 16
Winners will be announce August 22.
2027 Residency Program
Ceramics Residency
February
Four day residency with workshops
Painting Residency
March
Four day residency with workshops
Writing Residency
March
Seven day writers residency self-directed
Fellowships
At Noonyara Retreat Apollo Bay our aim is to support artists and writers in planning, developing, researching and creating new and original work. Through our fellowships and those funded by our partners we are able to offer a number of Residency Fellowships to artists and writers annually.
Interested in sponsoring your own fellowship at Noonyara Retreat? Contact us to discuss.
2026 WORDfest Fellowship
The WORDfest Fellowship, a partnership with Noonyara Retreat , supports one writer to undertake a one week residency dedicated to the development of a new or emerging work.
The Fellowship has been established to provide a writer with the time, space and creative environment to develop work with strong potential for publication. Apollo Bay WORDfest recognises that meaningful literary work often needs sustained attention and uninterrupted time to take shape and seek to support a writer at a significant stage in the development of their project.
Noonyara Retreat Fellowship
Noonyara Retreat offers a number of fellowships each year to support creatives to undertake a residency at Noonyara Retreat, dedicated to the research and /or development of new or emerging work.
Testimonials
"Noonyara Retreat Apollo Bay is such a gorgeous, peaceful place to stay and is perfect for writing. Stepping into that large-yet-cosy shared living room in the mornings, looking over the trees, it felt like one big exhale before I got stuck into my manuscript. It gives the perfect balance of environments, with the bush around you, the beach a very short drive away, and the shops in Apollo Bay just a little further. The house is set up to give you the choice of spaces, to be alone or to chat communally with other writers lucky enough to be there. I can't wait to go back!'
Mark Muposta-Russell - Author
"Suzette's ceramics workshops are a such a fun and creative way to spend an afternoon! She's super informative and helpful if you're a beginner and it's just such a stunning environment to work with the elements in! Highly recommend getting together with your friends and booking a group workshop."
Camille Thomas - Workshop Participant