WE’RE GOING
AWAY TOGETHER
22 - 24 May 2026
Update: Regos have recently closed - please get in touch with Fiona Smartt if you’re still keen to come!
We believe that life is better together, so we’d love you to join us on our weekend away!
Why go away for the weekend?
The power of community. In our busy world, getting away gives us time to build the community we all need, to make new friends and catch up with old ones.
Growing with God. We get to dig deeper in God’s word, with time for reflection (plus there’s a full kids program).
Enjoying God’s creation. We’re staying by the lake, with time to relax or rock-climb, catch up over a cuppa or chat around the bonfire. Hot breakfasts. Barista coffee. A weekend off meal prep.
Dates: May 22 - 24, 2026
Venue: CRU Lake Macquarie
We’re staying at the CRU site on Lake Macquarie - a 1h45min drive away. It’s a beautiful site on the lake, with activities like rock climbing, sports and walks.
Kids program? Yep, Amani and the team are running a full program both mornings.
Program:
Arrive for Friday night supper + evening session. Saturday, enjoy a hot breakfast (all meals are catered). Morning session with singing, talks and workshops plus time to chat over a barista coffee, Lunch, Afternoon activities (rock climbing, inflatables, table tennis, sport, coffee, walks, time for a nap and more), Dinner + Saturday night fun + Bonfire. All together time on Sunday, then final session and early lunch all together before heading home.
Accommodation: Ensuite rooms, in one of five lodges with lake views.
All rooms have air-con and an ensuite with separate toilet/shower. Each lodge has a room with two singles, several rooms with 6 bunks, a lounge close to bedrooms, and large common area.
All bookings with CRU are for two nights, so plan ahead to get away for the whole weekend. Day visit rego is also available.
Key dates:
Registration opens Sunday 22nd March. Early bird discount ends Thursday 30th April. Bookings close Wednesday 6th May.
Speakers
Grace is the great gift – Marilynne Robinson
My grace is sufficient for you – Jesus
We might sing of “amazing” grace, but it’s almost too easy to *forget* grace.
At least in practice – and perhaps especially in the relentlessly exhausting reality of modern life: the mental load, the pressure of productivity, living your best life.
At this year’s weekend away, we’re slowing down, to (re)explore the grace of God … whether God’s grace is new to you, or it’s grown a little too familiar.
After a keynote from Dave, we’ll explore the implications of ‘grace’ through a range of workshops, a guest speaker visit on Sunday, before a closing session with Dave.
We’ve also lined up a number of other presenters to help us dig into God’s word together across the weekend:
Kurt Peters
Guest speaker:
Grace & Weakness
Fiona Smartt
Elective workshop: Grace & People
Brian McAlea
Elective workshop: Grace & Roman Catholicism
Neil Watkinson
Elective workshop: Grace & Perseverance
HIGHLIGHTS FROM PREVIOUS WEEKENDS
“It was an awesome weekend. So many Sundays all squeezed into two days!! Was good to get to know people more deeply.”
“A wonderfully uplifting, bucket filling weekend. I’m so glad I was persuaded to go. I’m grateful for the fantastic talks, time to connect and opportunities to deepen relationships.”
“I loved having the kids looked after and being given a block of time to sit and think about the Bible.”
“I enjoyed the free time - going for a walk around the lake and getting to know new people. Having time to talk in such a beautiful place.”
COSTS
You can find all the ticket prices below. There are day visit options as well as tickets for the whole weekend (everything is included!)
We’ve tried to keep costs to a minimum, however, we recognise that the cost might be difficult for some. We have subsidies and various payment options available - please get in touch with Fiona Smartt for more information.
FAQ
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We’ve booked five lodges that each contain: 8 rooms of 6 (bunk) beds, plus 2 rooms of two singles, as well as a lounge area and a larger common area.
If you’re single, you may like to do twin share with a friend, though if you’d prefer a room to yourself please just get in touch with Fiona and we’ll organise that with you as/when you register. Families will have a bunk room to themselves. Couples will have their own room (the type of room will depend on final numbers).
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There’s lots of time on Saturday afternoon to enjoy activities on the site and around the lake. Rock climbing on the tower is included. There’s also a volleyball court, basketball, table tennis, frisbee golf, soccer/touch footy. The site has direct access to the lake for walks, a private jetty, water sports (bring your inflatable SUP), and local bushwalks.
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The weekend away is designed to be great from start to finish so we encourage you to come for the whole thing if you can. One past attendee said “this is the first time I have been able to participate in the whole weekend and as well as feeling a stronger sense of community I felt that I had a more complete understanding of God's message for me.”
There are day rates available for those who can only come for a day. Please get in touch if you have more questions.
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We recognise that the cost of the weekend might be difficult for some people.
We have subsidies and various payment options available - please get in touch.
And of course at the same time, if the weekend is easily affordable for you and you would like to donate money to help cover the cost for others, you can donate through the registration form.
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If for some reason you are sadly no longer able to attend please let us know more than two weeks prior to the weekend (by Thursday 8th May).
If you are no longer able to come within two weeks of the Weekend Away we will unfortunately not be able to refund you the cost of the ticket, as we have to pay the site for you regardless of you not being there.
In special circumstances, or in cases where someone else can take your place and pay for the ticket, we might be able to provide you with a partial or full refund (and we will endeavour to do this wherever possible).
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Because we’re trying to make the weekend so special, unfortunately we’re unable to run normal services on Sunday 24 May.
Got other questions not covered here? Please get in touch.