Drumming Spring Retreat - Drum - Dance - African Drumming

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Victoria: Spring Retreat

The Spring Drum & Dance Retreat offers a great line up of teachers in a pristine location.

Enjoy workshops for all levels, communal bonfire jams, and great vibes.

Spring Drum Retreat: 2nd-4th October 2026
Great Otway National Park

Our Spring Drum Retreat offers djembe and dun classes for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, with incredible teachers.

There’ll be dance workshops accompanied by live drumming and tailored for every level, plus: A special Saturday night performance and our legendary bonfire jams.

It is a great opportunity to learn from some of Australia’s best players and teachers, and grow your playing as much as possible across the weekend.

Weekend Highlights

Learn from Australia's best teachers

With djembe and dun classes for all levels, you’ll be pushed to learn and grow your playing.
Learning in this environment will do wonders to your drumming.
You’ll notice the difference most after the event – Your technique will improve significantly, and your ear will pick up polyrhythms more easily.

Dance with Jacqui & K Nortey

Jacqui will take us on a journey with the Return of the Sacred Kingfisher Dance, African inspired with a modern local twist and live drumming.
K Nortey will shift the energy with a flowing traditional Ghanaian dance.
Whether you’re a natural or new to dance, our workshops are fun and suitable for all ages and skill levels.

Special Performance by WALA

Wala means life.
This super-talented ensemble from Ghana, bring a dynamic fusion of drumming, dance, percussion, and soaring vocal harmonies.

These 5 passionate, exuberant and wonderful performers treat audiences to an exciting display of Ghanaian culture.

Location

Set in a peaceful valley, we’ll be completely surrounded by the pristine Great Otway National Park. 90 minutes out of Melbourne, it’s an easy journey by car that still feels like a real getaway.

Comfortable bunk-style log cabins
Camp sites or campervan parking available if preferred (same rate as normal accommodation)
Big communal kitchen with utensils and cutlery
Large performance hall with a fireplace
Bonfire area

See how to get there

Sokil – 90 minutes from Melbourne
425 Breakfast Creek Road
Wensleydale
Melways Ref: 611 C10
http://www.sokil.com.au/location_map.html

Take the M1 heading West
Bypassing Geelong, this becomes the A1 (Princes Hwy)
Turn Left onto Cape Otway Rd
Continue through Moriac and Modewarre
Turn left at Wensleydale Station Rd. Wurdiboluc Reservoir will be on your right
Continue approximately 7kms, until the road turns to gravel
At the intersection, follow the road straight into the Great Otway National Park (do not turn left here into Gum flats road)
Continue on the gravel road, past Alsop Track
Turn left onto Breakfast Creek Rd (do not turn right onto Hammonds Track)
Continue 3.5km into the valley
Sokil’s gate is on the left – just over the small bridge!

A group photo of students and teachers at the Spring Drum and Dance Retreat

Reserve your spot here

Rates

Full Weekend

Saturday & Sunday Tuition, plus Saturday night accommodation: $300/$270 Concession

Non-Accommodation Full Weekend (for offsite stays):
$260 / $230 Concession

Single Day or Session (Tuition Only):

Tuition only, Saturday 3rd including Saturday Night Concert: $180 / $160 Concession

Tuition only, Sunday 4th: $160 / $140 Concession

Non-Drummer Participation

Non-Drummers Weekend (with Saturday Night Accommodation & Concert): $160 / $140 Concession

Non-Drummers Day, Saturday 3rd or Sunday 4th: $50

Please note

You are welcome to stay on site in your own Van or Camping set.
All facilities will be made available to you and standard accommodation pricing applies.

Drum Hire: $10 (booking required).

Family and group rates are available – Please ask us for more info.
Payment is made with Cash on the weekend of the event.

View the retreat schedule

Arrival: Anytime after 4pm.
Casual dinner, followed by an informal bonfire Jam.
Be warned, this Jam normally goes for hours and hours – such a great warm up to the camp!

9.00am
Registration & payment

10.00am – 10.45am
Opening Ceremony with Jacqui Dressesns

11.00am – 12.30pm
Beginners Djembe with Davey
Intermediate Djembe with Bouba
Advanced Djembe with Mohamed

12.30pm – 1.45pm
Lunch

1.45pm – 3.15pm
Beginners Djembe with Davey
Intermediate Dun & Djembe with Bouba
Advanced Djembe with Mohamed

3.30pm – 5.00pm
Beginners Djembe technique with Bouba
Intermediate Djembe with Davey
Advanced Dun with Mohamed

5.00pm – 5.30pm
Tea Break

5.30pm – 6.30pm
Dance Class with Jacqui and live drumming (take your pick!)

6.30pm – 7.45pm
Dinner

7.45pm
“Wala” from Ghana in concert

9pm
Bonfire Jam

8.15am – 8.45am
Body Awakening Stretching

9.30am – 10.30am
Dance Class with K Nortey and live drumming from Wala & students

10.45am – 12.15pm
Beginners Djembe with Davey
Intermediate Djembe with Bouba
Advanced Djembe with Mohamed

12.15pm – 1.30pm
Lunch

1.30pm – 3.00pm
Beginners Djembe with Davey
Intermediate Djembe with Bouba
Advanced Djembe/ Dun with Mohamed

3.15pm – 4.00pm
Final Group Show & Jam
Communal Pack up & Leave

If everyone can chip in and help clean up the campsite & kitchen that would be AWESOME!

your teachers

Mohamed Camara

Djembe & Dun

Originally from Guinea, his warm personality and talent as a performer have made him a local favourite. A wonderful drummer and kora player, he performs regularly across Melbourne.

Simon Fraser

Djembe & Dun

Founder of Melbourne-based African Drumming, Simon has been studying,
performing, recording and teaching throughout West Africa, Europe and Australia
since the 90s.

Boubacar Gaye

Djembe & Dun

Bouba first laid his hands on a drum in Senegal at the budding age of 14.
With an energy and peace of mind resonating from deep within – Bouba speaks a thousand words with his drum.

Jacqui Dressens

Dance

Jacqui is a community arts practitioner and lecturer. With 25 years of studying African Diaspora dance, she’s worked with artists from Africa, the Caribbean, Cuba, and Brazil.

Dave Hickey

Djembe

Davey has been studying & performing West African percussion for over 18 years. He brings Irish charm, warmth, and sense of humour to his classes, with a huge respect to the traditions of the music.

Reserve your spot here

FAQs

I'm an absolute beginner, can I come along?

Absolutely!
We welcome beginners, and our sessions are designed to suit all levels. It’s a great opportunity to connect with more experienced drummers and learn new tips and tricks from your peers.

What should I bring to the Spring drumming retreat?

Your own drum if you have one (if not, you can hire one for $10).
A comfy drum stool if you prefer one, though Sokil has plenty of plastic chairs available.
Food and drinks (Sokil has a large kitchen with ovens, microwaves, glasses, and cutlery).
Shoes suitable for dancing.
Sleeping bag, sheets, or a blanket (pillows and pillowcases are provided).
Warm clothes for cooler weather.
A sun hat for sunny days.

What kind of rooms/bed options are there?

All rooms are equipped with bunk beds. We have 8 rooms, each with 4 bunks (8 beds total).
We can arrange private rooms for groups of 6 or more, and occasionally for family groups, depending on camp numbers.
Generally, we’ll allocate rooms and make sure men, women, and families are grouped together.

Can I bring a campervan or sleep in my tent?

Yes, you’re welcome to camp or park your campervan and make use of all the amenities at Sokil. There are several great camping spots and areas to park your vehicle. The pricing is the same whether you’re camping or using a bed.

Is there power at the camping spots?

There are powered camping spots available throughout the campsite. However, the spots on the upper oval, above the cabins (near the bathrooms), do not have power.

Where is the Spring Drum and Dance Retreat located

You’ll find us at:
Sokil
425 Breakfast Creek Road
Wensleydale
Melways Ref: 611 C10

Have More Questions?

Get in touch with our team for personalised advice. We’re known for our quick replies!

Call or email us on:

(03) 9525 3073

[email protected]