"I loved the whole experience of the retreat: connecting and sharing with others, delicious healthy food, scenic hiking experiences and time out for myself. In a tranquil and beautiful location Erika created a very safe space to explore our creativity, blocks and challenges that stop us from being truly fulfilled, happy and creative. I got great insight into how I am getting in my own way & I'm taking home the wisdom and ideas about how I will do things differently to get positive results. Thank you Erika."
Julie Warburton, Resilience Coach
Perth, Western Australia
"Erika took me to the edge of a fantastic piece of Western Australia- near and on the Cape to Cape track for two hours of walking.
I could not have found the in and out part on my own, experienced the fascinating insights on the botany and geology, nor could I have had a more pleasant and engaging companion through a truly lovely piece of the Margaret River Region. I recommend the tour fully - you can walk alone but with Erika the journey is much more!
Ayman Monsour - Engineer
Syria
" I had the pleasure of participating in a retreat run by Erika in April 2016.
The retreat exceeded my expectations on every level. The accommodation, food, walks, planned activities and excursions were all of the highest standard. It was obvious Erika is passionate about what she does which was reflected in the retreat experience. Erika is enthusiastic, engaging, open and committed to creating a wonderful experience for all.
The retreat was a joy… to unwind, relax, engage and connect to new people and nature. I felt I had fed my soul."
Sharon Barbera, Garden Designer
Fremantle, Western Australia
"I found this weekend very helpful in that it gave me new perspectives on how to approach my writing. It was also of great benefit that it was centred around my story and I was not just told to write what others wanted. It was also great to get the benefit of others' insights and challenges to my ideas and perspectives."
Jodie Nicholl, Perth
Western Australia
"Thank you for the sharing of your knowledge and assiting in my growth and understanding of the writing process. Loved the location, fellow-participants, food and your vibrant energy. You bring light and vitality wherever you go.
Our time walking & creating was priceless"
Filomena Laurenco
Perth, Western Australia
I thank you very much for conceiving all the elements of your retreat and implementing them through your thoughtful and positive personality.
Your retreat represents by far the most worthwhile and value for money contribution to my life for many years, all achieved in as little as 3 days. Truly of remarkable benefit.
Ernie Samec, Lawyer
Perth/Indonesia
"The retreat process takes you out of your comfort zone and allows you to access different parts of your brain and physical body. Highly experienced and knowledgeable guidance in all areas."
Victoria Yuen, Business Owner
Busselton, Western Australia
" Erika made me feel so welcome and created such a safe environment for me to be able to express myself not just creatively but as a person too. In my day to day life I had completely forgotten my creative side. This retreat made me realise how much I use to enjoy those things when I was little. I was so surprised when my creative efforts were appreciated and liked as well. Being able to express myself made me get in touch with myself and it kind of opened a door for me to do things which I always wanted to do but never had the courage to do. The encouragement and support I received has helped me turn my life in a different direction and I couldn't be more grateful to Erika for all her help and hard work. Even if you think creativity or walking is not your thing (like i thought) please give yourself this gift I am 100% sure it will help you in one way or another and you might come out a better version of yourself."
Bhavini Dodhia – Accountant - currently travelling all over the world
"The bush walks were magical and invigorating. I especially loved the bush sculptures followed by high tea in the Boranup Forest. It made me feel really close to nature, special and creative"
Julie King, Teacher
Perth, Western Australia
The venue was stunning: expansive, luxurious and welcoming and set the tone for an incredible weekend. Our very experienced host Erika, generously shared her incredible talents and enthusiasm for tapping into our creativity through varied exercises and activities with us all. Everyone quickly bonded and shared experiences and challenges in the safe space that Erika created, sharing many laughs and also some tears over the weekend.
I certainly learnt a great deal and enjoyed practicing letting go and not thinking too much about the creative process. I enjoyed being immersed in many different ways to be creative, including some guided meditations, beautiful singing, fun with games and future planning projects and getting to know the other participants and challenging myself. The food was also really delicious, especially Erika taking the time to welcome us with a beautiful hand prepared feast on the first evening.
I just wanted to thank Erika for her amazing energy, nurturing support and wisdom she provided us all with over the weekend. It was an amazing experience and one that I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to share with a lovely group of people. If you have a chance to explore Edgewalkers I strongly encourage you to attend a retreat.
Jackie Nichol, Environmental Scientist
Cowaramup, Western Australia
Getting away into the magnificent and very special Margaret River region would have been sufficient to provide me with the recharge, relaxation, freedom and space I so needed, but in addition to that in abundance, I had beautiful wildflowers, picturesque coastal scenery and "playtime" during walks in the day... AND awesome, spectacular mind-blowing skies during the night. All in the company of caring, genuine and fun facilitators and participants.
I also learnt some things about Australian flora, astrophotography, and some creativity boosting techniques that I could take with me and expand on.
Attending the Night Photography Retreat contributed to a re-energised and newly inspired me. I thoroughly recommend it.
Tracey Williams, Biochemist
Perth Western Australia
The weekend retreat was exactly what I needed to nourish my body, mind, and soul! To start, the accommodation is absolutely gorgeous set amid the bush (and a private vineyard) just off of iconic Caves Road. The food was divine - filled with love, good healing nutrition and absolute deliciousness. The workshops and activities were more than I could have hoped for: painting, sculpture, music, bushwalks, writing, acting, movement - it was all completely inspiring, impacting, and incredibly meaningful.
Erika created a safe space for participants to feel comfortable, open, and to let their inner struggles but also wisdom come out in a group of non judgement and support.
What is more, Erika's post weekend coaching sessions have been the number one driving factor in not just "thinking happy thoughts" but also putting my hopes and dreams into real life action with a daily/weekly/monthly action plan.
It is amazing to see how much I have been able to accomplish in such a short period of time with her influence and guidance. I look forward to future workshops with Erika and would recommend her services and workshops in a heartbeat!
Thank you Erika for being just the right balance of intelligent, caring, and warm, yet still knowing how to draw our creativity out of us to be channeled in just the right way.
Avi Melniker, Writer and Business Development Manager
Sydney, NSW
Erika created a wonderful space for learning and exploring new endeavours. Her experience in working with groups and teaching were evident and her warmth, compassion, and vitality made for a welcoming and relaxed environment.
Whilst I was ready for change, that weekend became the catalyst for me taking up new hobbies, learning new skills, and creating space for them in my life. I have made some immediate changes, and I have many ideas / plans that I wish to explore in the future.
As well, I found the three weeks of coaching post-retreat were worthwhile in terms of accountability and transitioning from the retreat back into everyday life.
I recommend the Creativity Weekend to anyone who wants to tap into their creative side. Even if you don’t, it’s a wonderful weekend away. It was worth every cent of my investment and I’d do it again. I loved it!
I joined Erika and photographer Paean Ng for the Astrophotography Retreat in Margaret River. Right from the start I found them both friendly, welcoming and enthusiastic. The accommodation, food and location were superb.
It was just what I needed...thank you Erika for the walks, the attention and the magic.
Paul Bullock, Park Ranger - NSW
Thanks for the retreat, it was obvious that you have poured so much passion into it.
I have taken a lot away - mainly about focusing on what really nourishes me now, and weaving in creativity throughout my day.
Being an avid photographer I try to get out to some remote areas of Australia but have always struggled with shooting the night sky and achieving the results that I wanted so this retreat seemed like the perfect choice for me.
Walking into the night along the coastal tracks with your expert guidance and with the most incredible milky way sky above is a memory that will stay with me forever. Then; to successfully photograph the night sky over Wilyabrup Cliffs & Hamelin Bay with the professional guidance of Paean Ng was unbelievably rewarding and worthwhile. He not only provided me with the techniques and tricks of the trade to shoot the night sky but he also invaluable lessons in post-production editing once we returned back to the comfort of our amazing accommodation each night.
All in all, it was a sensational weekend where I learnt new skills, met new people, bush walked at night time & saw the most amazing skies, enjoyed doing things I’ve never done before and came away knowing I had really achieved something.
Nowadays I am inspired to add creativity to even the most mundane aspects of my day-to-day life. My inspiration from the retreat can be summed up in this quote "To be creative you must lose your fear of being wrong".
Greg Makeham, Education Administrator - Perth, Western Australia
The house was spacious, beautifully situated overlooking the ocean. The meals were nutritious and natural and special requests were accommodated. The exercises were both fun, sometimes challenging; very insightful.
The long walk on the second day was long, scenic, magnificent and lunches were excellent. The writing exercises were interesting and an awakening.
Jean Parry, retired activist - Perth, Western Australia
Erika is highly knowledgeable and embodies her creative and innovative philosophies in a kind and engaging way. I look forward to speaking with her in the follow ups to support my ongoing writing practice.
Amber Janowicz - Busselton, Western Australia
I really appreciated the warm energy that Erika gave us in all of the activities over the weekend. I came away with more freedom to write creatively and the tools to actually practice it. I am looking forward to being able to fulfil my dreams to write some or all of my own story. Thank you Erika.
Joanne Edmond, Psychologist & Business Owner - Perth Western Australia
I came to this creative writing retreat with no expectations and no current writing quests. I am now leaving feeling back in touch with my creativity, a story to create and some skills to put these together. Thank you for creating this for me Erika!
Crystal-Lee Edmond, student - Perth, Western Australia
The weekend stimulated ideas, motivation and confidence in myself as a writer...practised lots of ways of working on writing which were fun and great to have as tools for writing practice. The walks were inspiring, beautiful and an awesome way to get fodder to write about.
Dona Livingstone, Teacher's Assistant and Outdoor Education - Margaret River, Western Australia
Many thanks for the wonderful retreat. I didn't really know what to expect, I had never done anything like this before, but with Erika's expert guidance (as well as great accommodation and excellent food) the whole thing helped me step outside of my comfort zone, break old habits and rediscover the joy of life. Best wishes, keep up the good work.
Evelyn Amos - Vasse, Western Australia
I was one of the lucky participants on this creativity and walking retreat in Margaret River facilitated by Erika Jacobson from Edgewalkers last weekend. It was wonderful and I encourage you all to treat yourself to one of these. Reignited my mojo, connected me to likeminded folk, inspired and enlightened me to the creative blocks and joys in my life. Beautiful bush walks and creativity workshops with fabulous artists including Erika herself.
Sian Brown, Cultural Development Officer
Perth, Western Australia (2016)
Our Margaret River forest walk revived, inspired and challenged us. The boys loved it. We highly recommend it!
Marina & Aaron Powell, Educators
Perth, Western Australia
'I found the weekend away with Erika and Paean a great balance of chilling out, doing some walking in our fabulous South West and learning how to take nightscapes. Building on the skills developed during this weekend, I took these images a few weeks ago. I enjoyed the Edgewalkers weekend so much, I'm doing it again in September when the Milky Way will be in a different place in the night sky.'
John Torkington
Perth, WA
One of my favourite experiences was setting up for astrophotography at night down at Wilyabrup climbing down the stairs, setting up my tripod and camera with the waves behind me and milky way above, a huge rock formation in front, just stunning.
And then there was also the walk through Boranup Forrest looking at orchids, the spectacular coastal scenery, where your jaw drops…those are a few of my favourite things....
Hilary Monck
Sydney
“Before setting off on this trek, I had hit a wall and was frustrated with life in general. Work was overwhelming; people were overwhelming. I had suppressed my creativity while striving so very diligently to stabilise my life through my job. This simply was no longer enough.
I made a quick decision to get away and hike away my cares. Mongolia seemed far enough and remote enough to accomplish this. So I set off halfway around the world to explore. What I never counted on was meeting such an engaging spirit as Erika.
Erika is beyond just enthusiastic. She is committed and fearless in her efforts to bring out creativity and honesty in others. In the wild of Mongolia, I felt safe to share, to discuss, to challenge, and to grow. I was able to get in touch with the profound beauty of the landscape and to rediscover my self-expression while doing so. Erika helped me to tap into my strength and creativity through guided exercises and simple conversation.
As mentioned, the location was remote, which could have been daunting. However, Erika is a skilled backpacker whose guidance and knowledge made the adventure safe and comfortable. The experience was life-changing, and I returned to the States with renewed energy and purpose.
I am forever grateful for the experience and would recommend an outing with Erika to anyone: it is guaranteed to change you in ways you never anticipated.”
Lisa Franko - Pennsilvania, US