You don’t need another self-improvement project. You need summer camp. The founders behind a new Gold Coast retreat share seven ways to get back to basics and tune into you.
Bare feet on cool grass. Woodsmoke in the air. A waterhole waiting at the end of the morning’s movement.
It’s a long way from the noise of everyday life.
After hosting almost 100 events, Grace Henry-Hicks (founder of Holding Space with Grace, co-founder of Austinvilla Estate) had a feeling her next one would be different.
Since launching Holding Space with Grace in 2022, she has designed experiences that support women – through practical tools, slowing down and human connection – in a world that feels built to do the opposite.
THE RETURN – a four-day summer wellness camp with morning movement, rainforest swims, communal meals, Human Design sessions and fireside circles, set on 111 private acres in the Gold Coast hinterland – will take that one step further.
Unlike with most retreats, the point isn’t to become someone new. It’s to feel like yourself again.
To bring it to life, Grace teamed up with Alexz Parviainen, founder of HUSTL. Through her online platform and community, Alexz encourages women to make time for themselves through movement and mindset.
They’re both female founders, both Gold Coast-based, and both on a mission to create community for like-minded women.
“We also have shared values around the noise of the industry,” says Grace, “specifically the messaging around ‘becoming someone more’ – as though you’re not enough as you are. We want to turn down that noise and come back to ourselves. Ultimately, we know what’s best for us.”
In deciding how they would do that, Grace and Alexz discovered they shared something else – an appreciation for the power of play. Grace has seen it time and time again in her events; women come back because it’s fun.
For Alexz, it takes her back even further, to her own childhood memories at summer camp.
“Growing up in Canada, camp was our initiation into adulthood,” she says. “We met people who shared our interests, were bonded by the same experiences, and left with friends we’d have forever.”
By focusing on seven ‘returns’ – self, rest and slowness, community, nature, joy and play, creativity, and movement and aliveness – the camp will bring participants back to how they used to spend time. Alexz will lead the movement classes, while Grace guides connection practices, Human Design and creative sessions – with nature walks and outdoor cinema under the stars in between. With meals prepared and the details taken care of, there’s room to slow down, get curious and notice what’s been missing.
In a world that feels increasingly artificial, Grace says THE RETURN is all about real connection.
“We want people to leave lighter, so we’re getting back to basics – communing around a fire, swimming in water,” she says. “We’re prioritising all the things we’re moving away from.”
Above all, Alexz hopes each woman leaves understanding the importance of pressing pause.
“We’re so infatuated with the outcome that we miss the importance of simply stopping,” she says. “Taking time for yourself is a choice, and we’re so proud that almost all of our attendees have the confidence to come by themselves. Being willing to take that step is how we change and create real connections, so it’s certainly not something to be ashamed of. In fact, it’s the whole point.”
And THE RETURN is only the beginning. For Grace and Alexz, their partnership shows what becomes possible when women bring their strengths and communities together.
“There is so much pressure on women to compete,” says Grace, “but in consciously reversing that conditioning by partnering and sharing resources, we can achieve so much more.”
Seven ways to return to yourself
While the summer wellness camp will give women the time, space and support to truly return to themselves, there are ways you can embrace its ethos at home…
Self: Use journaling to hear yourself beneath the demands of the day. Ask: “How am I really feeling? What do I need? What do I want more of?” Write without editing or searching for the right answer. Notice what comes up, and let one insight guide a choice you make.
Rest and slowness: Carve out a quiet moment in your morning or evening. Turn off your devices, make a cup of tea and let your breathing slow. Notice the light, the sounds and what’s around you. Give yourself time to settle without planning what comes next.
Community: Make the invitation specific: a walk on Saturday, coffee after class. Or step into a new circle through a club, class or event (like THE RETURN) where connection is built in. Be willing to go first – you don’t need to know anyone to feel welcome.
Nature: Make time to be outdoors, whether that’s a walk through your local park, a swim or lunch beneath a tree. Put your phone away and give your surroundings your attention. Return to a favourite place regularly and notice how it changes.
Joy and play: Ask what you loved before you worried about being good at it. Dancing, swimming, games, singing? Bring one into your week. Enjoyment is reason enough to make time for it.
Creativity: Give your hands something to do and your mind room to wander. Arrange flowers, paint, cook something new or write just for yourself. Follow what feels enjoyable without judging the result – making something can be a simple way to discover what lights you up.
Movement and aliveness: Check in with your energy before choosing how to move. Some days call for a lively class; others, a gentle stretch or walk. Notice what leaves you feeling more connected to your body.
Head to www.holdingspacewg.com to find out more about THE RETURN (taking place from November 5 to 8 at Austinvilla Estate) and follow Grace Henry-Hicks and Alexz Parviainen to learn about future events.
