Just off the Great Western Highway near the village of Leura, where the World Heritage-listed national park meets the community, east meets the oldest continuous culture on earth in a yin and yang of harmony, kinship and respect.
Located on 12ha of natural Australian bushland within the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park and close to boutiques and restaurants, Sinofield Edu-Retreat is a gem hidden in plain sight.
It’s an ideal base for solo visitors, couples or families; extended family, education, faith or interest group gatherings; or corporate teambuilding retreats.
Previously the site of Korowal School (now located at Hazelbrook), the property was abandoned for about a decade until Sinofield bought it.
Before the Covid pandemic, the education retreat attracted local school groups who visited for cultural experiences.
Sinofield also took part in exchange programs for both Australian and Chinese students.
After the pandemic, Sinofield pivoted into the tourism and hospitality industry, and guests can simply use the accommodation, communal kitchen and surrounds or book cultural experiences and activities.
Sinofield general manager Lee Qian said the retreat was a fusion between eastern and ancient Indigenous Australian culture.
“We have partnered with our friend Uncle Chris Tobin and taken the most peaceful and calm traditions from both cultures and present them to our guests to enjoy and help them find harmony.”
Darug Elder and educator Uncle Chris shares Indigenous knowledge, heritage and culture at the Sinofield yarning space and there are ochre painting workshops using natural pigments.
Traditional Chinese cultural activities include calligraphy, paper-cutting, ink painting, Diabolo, Chinese Chess, dragon dancing and a tea ceremony.
Other activities include an outback bush survivor challenge, cooking, archery with an ex-Olympic champion, ball games and stargazing.
Or they you can simply pause to connect to the landscape and sounds of nature in the zen rock garden, under a towering eucalyptus tree, by the gurgling fish pond or along a walking track to a hidden stream, hanging swamp, unique foliage and wildlife.
Sinofield has 24 spacious rooms and 60 beds of varying sizes and layouts – family rooms with bunk beds or lofts, doubles, queen and king size beds, huge king-singles – underfloor bathroom heating and decorated with contemporary fixtures and a fusion of traditional Chinese and Indigenous art.
Rooms are clustered into small groups to accommodate families, corporate groups or friends. Each is connected to a wide hallway offering additional privacy that can even be used for catchups, dinners or group discussions.
Nine rooms have private courtyards and open onto the natural landscape and surrounds.
Communal spaces are available for casual or regular hire, including the kitchen, quiet room, tea centre quiet room, classrooms and theatre equipped with seating, curtained stage, large backstage area and AV and lighting.
These are ideal for workshops, performances or individual or small group music, yoga or art classes.
The property is also available for weddings and movie sets.
Sinofield is 90 minutes’ drive from Sydney CBD (approx. 100km via the M4 Western Motorway) and two hours via train, followed by a 30-minute walk or short bus trip from Leura station.
Cost: $120 per person, per night minimum two-night stay.
Contact Sinofield Edu-Retreat, 77 Scott Ave, Leura, on 02 4757 4880 or at admin@sinofield.com.au or go to sinofield.com.au for more information.
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