Vanam Retreat accomodation has 5 sleeping rooms including 3 suites in the main house, each with private ensuite, and 2 repurposed shipping containers. Garuda Suite (1 x single & 1 bunk set); Maya Suite (4 x singles); Eden Suite (3 singles or 1 king & 1 Single); Buddha Cabin (1 x Queen with private ensuite); Banksy Cabin (2 x singles; shared bathroom). We offer fully-catered yoga & meditation retreats for up to 14 guests in our beautifully created spaces.
We accommodate up to 14 people. We do not accept bookings for individual rooms. We offer fully-catered weekend accommodation (Friday - Sunday) for groups of 10-14 people. At Vanam Retreat we provide a place to rest and relax or the perfect base from which you can enjoy all that the Blue Mountains have to offer. Relax in the hot rain-water spa nestled within the woodland forest, choose one of our many decks or secret hideaways for quiet contemplation or stroll along our garden paths taking in the spectacular cliff views and extensive bird-life.
Yoga is at the heart of what we do. Having founded Botannix Yoga Studio & Garden Cafe in Sydney more than a decade ago, Vanam Retreat brings the sacred practice and service to the mountains. We see yoga as a holistic practice of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. We enjoy sharing our space with like-minded people and invite wholistic yoga teachers to host their retreats with us.
We take great pleasure in preparing thoughtful, delicious and nutritious meals prepared with fresh seasonal produce from our own garden and orchard. And eggs from our happy free-range chooks! We can meet most dietary preferences, including gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian/vegan. You can explore local trails with breathtaking vistas around Mount Victoria. You can explore local trails with breathtaking vistas around Mount Victoria. We can also direct you to lots of local National Park trails for walks of all levels.
Andy & Jeff
Andrew Stevenson
Andy grew up in a garden. After studying horticulture and spending many years working in orchards, nurseries and gardens a plenty, he went on to complete a diploma in Architectural Technology and earned his Structural Landscaping license which became the cornerstone of Botannix Landscape Design and Construction, founded in Sydney 2002. With his husband, Jeff, he created a successful landscaping business operating under the belief that a household garden should be a refuge from life’s daily dramas and a place for connecting with nature, family, friends and self. Andy earned his hospitality stripes owning and running numerous cafes over the past 30 years, the most recent being Botannix Yoga Studio & Garden Cafe in Sydney from 2006-2015. Now a dedicated yoga practitioner, gardener and host extraordinaire, Andy can often be found tending to his gardens, bushwalking with his husband and dogs, Aston and Diesel and sharing his humorous insights about life.
Jeff Miller
Jeff, is the the founder of Botannix Yoga and with Andy, the co-creator of Vanam Retreat. He is yoga & meditation teacher, counsellor and therapist. A highly experienced instructor with over 600 hours of formal yoga teacher training qualifications, studying with number of renowned gurus including Donna Farhi, Jasmine Tarkeshi and Emily Stone, Alana Kaivalya, Katie Manitsas, David Life and Sharon Gannon, Jeff is a certified Lotus Flow™ and Jivamukti Yoga™ Instructor and is highly-regarded for his creative and thoughtful approach to yoga and his ability to make the ancient teachings relevant to a wide range of people living in the modern western world. A doctor of psychology with special interest in interpersonal relationship and men's well-being, Jeff combines his in depth understanding of human nature with techniques of yoga, meditation and mindfulness, creating a practice that is personal, heartfelt, uplifting and spiritually supportive. He is known for his focus on compassionate self-inquiry and radical self-acceptance as a path to greater health, happiness & connectedness. His teaching involves a creative and insightful journey through intelligently-sequenced postures, uplifting music, meditation and deep relaxation. While not in the yoga studio Jeff enjoys working on the property, bushwalking and spending quiet time with his family.