Strathean Retreat Centre is a spiritual retreat centre set on ten acres of flat countryside at Te Horo on the Kāpiti Coast, near Otaki and about 50 minutes north of Wellington. Surrounded by native totara forest, it offers peaceful, spiritually inviting surroundings where tall native trees and comfortable bedrooms contribute to a quiet and restful energy.
The centre provides high quality accommodation and dining facilities for groups of up to 30 people, mostly in twin or single rooms with some ensuites, along with a newly built yoga sanctuary. Groups of all paths and practices can hire the venue to host retreats for spiritual, creative and personal development, and groups such as writers and artists are among those encouraged to use the space.
Strathean describes itself as a Centre of Unification for all paths, all religions and all spiritual practices, inspired by the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda. It has been used as a retreat centre for around fifty years, previously under the care of the Wellington Study Group, whose members are commemorated in trees planted across the land and in the Auntie Jean fern garden.
The people who run Strathean see themselves as Guardians (Kaitiaki) of the place: everyone who works there does so as a volunteer, and all income from retreat hosting is reinvested back into the centre. Alongside group bookings, individual retreats are welcomed for those seeking time for inner work or simple rest, weekly yoga classes run on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 6pm to 7.15pm, and a weekly Monday meditation gathering is open to supporters.
Strathean Retreat Centre occupies ten peaceful acres of flat countryside at Te Horo on the Kāpiti Coast, near Otaki and less than an hour's drive north of Wellington. Ringed by native totara forest, it is a place deliberately set aside from the noise of everyday life: a spiritual retreat centre where groups of all practices can gather, and where individuals can come simply to be quiet, rest and reconnect. The atmosphere is described as peaceful and spiritually inviting, with tall native trees and spacious, comfortable bedrooms contributing to a quiet and restful energy.
Retreatants have been coming to Strathean for around fifty years. The property was previously owned and cared for by the Wellington Study Group, who used it both for their own retreats and for hiring it to other groups. Many of the trees on the land were planted in honour of members of that group, and the Auntie Jean fern garden remains part of the grounds today. The current custodians describe their role as Guardians — Kaitiaki — looking after and enhancing the energy of Strathean so it remains a special place for future generations, making decisions with a view to the future, consideration for the present and gratitude for the past.
Strathean's approach is inspired by the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, and the centre describes itself as a Centre of Unification for all paths, all religions and all spiritual practices — a place for awakening to your Higher Self and unifying body, mind and soul.
Strathean offers high quality accommodation and dining facilities for groups of up to 30 people, with numbers able to be increased for larger groups by enquiry. Guests stay mostly in twin or single rooms, some with ensuites, set among beautiful natural surroundings. A newly built yoga sanctuary is available for guests, giving groups a dedicated space for practice, and shared dining facilities serve the whole group.
The venue is aimed at those wanting to facilitate retreats for spiritual, creative and personal growth, and groups developing their creativity — such as writers and artists — are encouraged to use the space. Alongside group bookings, Strathean warmly welcomes individual retreatants: people who want to work on themselves and their connection with their Higher Self, Spirit, Consciousness, Source and God, or who simply need time away from the external world to be nurtured.
For locals and visitors, weekly yoga classes run on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 6pm to 7.15pm and are suitable for all, and there is a weekly Monday meditation gathering. An online calendar of events lists upcoming retreats, events and class times, as well as the dates the venue is available for hire.
Everyone who works at Strathean does so as a volunteer, giving their time as service to others, and all income from retreat hosting is reinvested back into the centre — caterers and retreat facilitators working at Strathean are the exception. The centre is not yet a registered charity, though registration is intended for the future, and donations to help keep Strathean available for inner work are gratefully accepted.
Guests are asked to bring their own towel and bedding — sheets, a pillowcase and a duvet or sleeping bag — unless they have been advised that their group is hiring bedding. Availability for venue hire can be checked on the centre's calendar of events, and enquiries go through John on 0274 303 623 or Gabrielle on 022 072 6582, or by email to [email protected].
Whether you arrive as part of a thirty-person retreat or on your own for a few days of quiet, the setting stays the same: tall native trees, comfortable rooms and countryside at the door, just fifty minutes from Wellington.