Yanada Retreat is a beautiful six bedroom country property with swimming pool, set on 38 acres of bush by the picturesque McDonald River, bounding the Yengo National Park and 2km outside the historic village of St Albans. We are 15 minutes from Wisemans Ferry and the Hawkesbury River.

The setting is remote and idyllic with complete privacy assured. Nestled between the river and the Yengo Mountains, you will unwind as soon as you enter the driveway. All this only 90 min drive from Sydney CBD.

We can offer, for groups of 12 to 22 people;

• Holiday rental for families and groups
• Therapy, Yoga and Meditation retreats for groups
• Uniquely tailored Corporate Wellbeing Packages
• Individual bed and breakfast room rentals mid-week and for special events

Yanada is a luxury 350 m2 country home (built in 2004) set within bushland overlooking the McDonald Valley and river.

Our 15m x 5m swimming pool is perfect for lap swimming or just chill out in the water seat, on the sunbeds or in the pavilion. It is a good distance from the house to ensure privacy with beautiful views over the valley.

Take one of the bush walks possible on the property; around the cleared lands, up to a flat rock peak in the Yengo National Park. We have walking access to the McDonald (Gunanday) River across the road at the front of the property where you can swim, fish or kayak. Drive or cycle 5 – 10 minutes to the historic St Albans village and other National Park walking tracks in the valley.

Yanada (‘Moon’ in Dharug and Darkinjung) has two 95 sq. m spaces over two levels each fully surrounded by fully furnished deep cool verandahs, including two outdoor settings, chairs, tables, a pod chair, two day beds and a BBQ. Each space can be open on three sides with views over the valley. There are external stairs from the living level down to a fire pit

The upper space includes a huge open plan kitchen, used by staff only during catered bookings, with serving counters for meals, drinks, tea and coffee. For self catered bookings the kitchen includes gas stove, eye level ovens, dishwasher, microwave, two fridges and all cooking utensils. There is also a gas BBQ on the verandah just outside the kitchen.

There are dining tables capable seating up to 24 people and a sumptuous living area of sofas and cushions big enough for two separate groups to use. The living area is centred around a wood fired stove for cosy winter evenings. For summer there are ceiling fans and an option for ducted reverse cycle air conditioning.

The lower space is used for retreats only and not available for holiday lets. Our new massage treatment room is also now open on this level, used during retreats, or you can book massages in advance.

Yanada is a place of quiet and peaceful retreat; parties, including weddings, are not allowed. No externally audible noise is permitted after midnight at weekends and we ask you to respect the healing nature of the property.

Check for upcoming events and projects by following us on Facebook - Yanada Retreat, Instagram or on our Website.

HOLIDAY RENTAL FACILITIES

• 90 m2 Cathedral Ceiling Living / Dining / Group room
• 15m x 5m Swimming Pool
• Pool Pavilion with Balinese Day Beds
• BBQ
• Dining Tables to seat up to 24
• Modular sofas to seat 10 (additional seating and cushions available), all with tree top views over McDonald Valley
• Ducted Reverse Cycle Air conditioning or ceiling fan options
• 5 min walk to the McDonald River for swimming
• Kayaks available on river from our neighbour - $20 per day
• Bush walks of various levels of difficulty, both within the property grounds and into the adjoining Yengo National Park
• Free Wi-Fi Internet and local phone calls
• Board games
• Wood Burning indoor Stove
• Outdoor Fire Pit (April - September)

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation for 10 (min) up to 22 as follows:
15 in the main house (or up to 17 including two roll out beds and bed in massage room):

• Four twin bedrooms (single bed configuration, king size possible)
• Shared bathroom with shower and bath.
• King / Twin Bedroom with optional ensuite or shared bathroom WC and shower.
• Master Bedroom / Family suite, King Size + 2 single beds or or five single beds with ensuite WC and shower.

'Glamping' Accommodation for an additional 4 people in 2 bell tents in luxury king single beds, including electricity, fans, heating and wi fi

1000TC cotton bedding, towels and shower products provided in the house and tents.

With whole house holiday rentals you will have Yanada to yourself. The owners have a separate residence elsewhere on the property but will not impinge on your privacy. If any maintenance is required during longer stays we will check this with you first.

OTHER SERVICES

We are primarily a retreat centre offering Catered and Self Catered Meditation, Therapy, Yoga, Massage, Personal Development and Wellbeing retreats.

We also provide corporate and carer mid-week wellbeing get-away packages

Contact us directly or check our website for more info.

Bed and Breakfast accommodation is also available mid week and during special local events such as the St Albans Folk Festival in April and Writers Festival in September.

THE PROPERTY AND AREA

Where is Yanada?
Yanada is in the McDonald Valley 2km outside the historic village of St Albans. We adjoin the Yengo National Park and are 17 minutes from Wisemans Ferry and the Hawkesbury River. This is the southern tip of Darkinjung country with Mount Yengo at its heart. This place is hidden and remote, known since first European settlement as the Forgotten Valley, yet less than 2 hours drive from Sydney.

The drive itself is beautiful. From Sydney, once you leave the M2 and Pennant Hills Road you will follow the original convict built route north from Sydney. The Old North Road takes you along the Dural ridge with stunning Blue Mountain views, through Marramurra National Park and down into Wisemans Ferry, set on a picturesque loop in the Hawkesbury river system. Cross the free Webbs Creek vehicular ferry, a 4 min ride, then along the McDonald Valley, with steep sandstone cliffs and the meandering river, to Yanada, just before the National Trust village of St Albans.

DO NOT USE GPS or Google Maps directions to get to Yanada from Sydney!!!!. Use the directions our website!!!!

The McDonald Valley
Yanada is in the McDonald Valley (locally known as the Forgotten Valley) in the heart of the Hawkesbury Region, close to the Blue Mountains to the west and Hunter Valley to the north. This is the southern tip of Darkijung country which has Mount Yengo in the Hunter as its sacred heart.

There are numerous annual events in the small village of St Albans including A Folk Festival, Writers Festival, Convict 100 Bike Ride and The Shahzada Mountain Horse Endurance Test. There is a licenced cafe The Pickled Wombat in the village, the Settlers Arms Hotel, regular markets and a church with regular services.

Past St Albans it is a beautiful drive on winding gravel road through the Wollombi National Park to Wollombi to Cessnock and the Hunter Valley Wine Region.

A few minutes south, Wisemans Ferry provides a number of leisure attractions including golf, Kayaking, Canoeing, Swimming and Golf. There are also local amenities at Wisemans; pub, shops, restaurants, service station, police and doctor. Further south at Maroota you can visit Tobruk Sheep Station.

See for more details on the region.