Be Chill CPD – a doctors CPD & well-being event for stress reduction and burnout prevention

Date: 13 Nov 2026 at 2:30 PM to 15 Nov 2026 at 2:00 PM
Location: Caves Coastal Bar and Bungalows 27 Mawson Cl, Caves Beach NSW 2281, Australia
Host: Ataraxia Collective
Do you need some help to complete your CPD?
Would you like to make CPD fun, relaxing, useful & empowering?
Fancy a chilled-out weekend beachside escape?
Are you into surfing or fancy giving it a red-hot go?
Make this November a happy one with yoga, mindfulness, time to rest, ocean views, and plenty of CPD!

Treat yourself and your career to a fresh new approach to continuing professional development. Step away from the demands of medicine and into a weekend designed just for you—a space to rest, laugh, learn, and reconnect with what truly matters. Come with friends and family or alone and make new ones. This retreat is designed by registered doctors for registered doctors to support CPD that makes an impact and supports doctor well-being.

Join us Friday 13th – Sunday 15th November 2026 at Caves Coastal, Caves Beach NSW.

What to expect

This will be a chilled weekend of relaxation, restoration, laughter, smiles, and connection. Bring friends and/or make new ones through personal and professional growth and enjoy learning from each other. There will be plenty of time for networking and learning from like-minded peers.

You’ll enjoy shared wisdom and the chance to learn powerful skills to prevent burnout and manage stress in a sustainable, restorative way. Soak up the laid-back vibe where judgments and expectations are left behind to foster compassionate self-awareness for personal growth.

Everything is optional, so you can tailor your attendance to suit your needs. Need a nap or beach run? No worries, we will see you at the next session. It’s all good; just do what you need.

Enjoy breaks at the beach and immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of the waves and glorious views. Plenty of included yoga is on offer, specifically designed to promote stress reduction for doctors. Allow the flow and mat to guide you within to foster a more integrated awareness of self. It will be beginner-level with lots of stretching and breath work.

The shared meals will be cozy and comforting pub grub. Expect laughter, drinks and tunes. Don’t worry about dressing up too much, come casual and even in thongs.

Hear from expert, passionate speakers on stress management in medicine, burnout prevention, professional and ethical practice, cultural safety, how to professionally share and actively listen for peer review, and how to practice sustainably where you can give your heart and soul in a restorative way.

The CAPE themes of CPD will be incorporated into all CPD activities. Up to 12 hours of CPD will be accrued with full attendance to the CPD activities, including the mandatory professional development plan and 5 hours of reviewing performance and measuring outcomes, making completion of your minimum AHPRA CPD requirements a breeze.

Enjoy conducting a professional conversation to review your performance as a doctor and complete or review your mandatory professional development plan with expert coaching. Conduct a burnout prevention audit to leverage your practice. Be professionally supported and inspired to leave knowing yourself a little more and be able to manage yourself and your practice more masterfully.

Learn

Yoga for stress management and work as a doctor
Mindfulness skills for relaxation and stress reduction
How to professionally share and actively listen for peer review as a doctor
How to identify and prevent burnout
Your biases and blind spots
What is cultural safety and the CAPE requirements
The Medical Board of Australia CPD requirements for doctors and how to meet them

Inclusions

Talks on CPD requirements, stress management skills and burnout prevention
Group CPD sessions designed to empower and equip you with take-home skills for well-being, stress management and burnout prevention
Up to 12 hours CPD with 5 hours of reviewing performance, a professional conversation, completion of your professional development plan and 5 hours of measuring outcomes
Mindfulness and self-care sessions incorporated into all group CPD sessions
Delegate handouts with CPD templates and take-home resources
Daily sessions of gentle yoga, stretching, relaxation and mindfulness practice with Melanie Dawson
Welcome afternoon tea
Friday evening welcome drinks and 2-course dinner at Caves Bar and Bungalows
Morning tea, afternoon tea and lunch on Saturday and Sunday
2-course dinner at Mawsons, Caves Beach on Saturday evening
Please note: Accommodation, surf lessons and breakfasts are not included.

Exclusions

Accommodation, travel and transfers
Breakfasts, extra drinks and food orders not specified above
Surf lessons

Continuing professional development

With attendance to the group CPD sessions and pre-reading/work, you will complete 12 hours total of CPD, including 5 hours of Reviewing Performance and 5 hours of Measuring Outcomes.

Activities include a professional conversation, completion of the mandatory professional development plan and a burnout prevention audit. Ethical practice, cultural safety and professional behaviours are embedded throughout.

Following the retreat, you will be set up with optional self-directed CPD activities. Give yourself the gift of making CPD easy, useful and joyful.

Location

The stunning coastal town of Caves Beach is home to one of Australia’s top-ranked beaches. Bring your surfboard, swimmers and joggers and explore walking tracks, surf spots, caves and beautiful white sand beaches.

Caves Beach is conveniently located just over an hour from Sydney and Newcastle Airport, making it ideal for a relaxing weekend escape. It is also family-friendly with plenty of nearby activities, playgrounds, cafes and dining options.

Surfing

If you love surfing or would like to give it a try, there is time before and after the retreat to enjoy the waves. Caves Beach offers excellent conditions for both beginners and experienced surfers, with local providers offering lessons and equipment hire.

Whether you’re learning the basics or refining your skills, surfing at Caves Beach is a memorable addition to your retreat experience.

Accomodation

Caves Coastal offers a range of accommodation options onsite, including townhouses, bungalows and villas nestled amongst the dunes with ocean views.

Delegates can receive a 15% discount off the best available rate when booking directly through the accommodation team by calling reception on 02 4980 9999.

All onsite accommodation has been placed on hold for event attendees until 1 August 2026. Early booking is recommended.

Additional accommodation options are available through Weekender and Airbnb. Weekender offers a 5% discount using code BECHILLCPD5 for stays of two nights or more between 10/11/26 and 17/11/26.

Venue

Caves Coastal is the perfect blend of business and laidback leisure. Located directly on the beach, the venue provides breathtaking views and a relaxed atmosphere ideal for reflection, peer review and self-care.

The event space is filled with natural light and is located next to the bar and bistro. Expect welcoming smiles, relaxed vibes, family-friendly facilities and excellent modern Australian cuisine.

Program (subject to change)

Friday 13th November 2026

2:30pm – Arrivals & afternoon tea
4:00pm – Optional gentle yoga and relaxation
5:00pm – Welcome circle and mindfulness practice
6:00pm – Welcome drinks
7:00pm – 2-course dinner at Caves Bar and Bistro
8:30pm – Quiet time & self-directed reflection activity
Saturday 14th November 2026 – Reviewing Performance

8:30am – Optional yoga and stretch
9:15am – Optional beach walk
10:00am – CPD session
11:15am – Morning tea
11:30am – Reviewing performance and professional conversation
1:00pm – Lunch
2:00pm – Professional development plan session
4:00pm – Optional yoga and relaxation
4:45pm – Optional beach sunset walk
7:00pm – 2-course dinner at Mawsons
8:30pm – Quiet time & self-directed reflection
Sunday 15th November 2026 – Measuring Outcomes

8:00am – Optional yoga and stretch
9:00am – Burnout prevention audit
11:00am – Morning tea
11:30am – Burnout prevention audit continued
1:00pm – Lunch
2:00pm – Close and free time to explore the caves

Guest facilitators

Dr Sancha Robinson – Specialist Anaesthetist, certified professional coach and physician development coach.

Dr Jo Braid – Consultant Rehabilitation Physician, burnout recovery expert, keynote speaker and host of The Burnout Recovery Podcast.

Melanie Dawson – Mental health professional and yoga teacher with over 30 years of experience in counselling, rehabilitation and holistic wellbeing.

Host

Dr Susannah Ward is a Specialist Physician of Rehabilitation Medicine, accredited yoga teacher and founder of Ataraxia Collective. She is passionate about doctor wellbeing, mindfulness and creating a more compassionate medical culture.

Important information

Attendance to retreat activities is strictly for registered delegates only. Family and friends are welcome to travel and stay with you, however all retreat activities and CPD sessions are reserved for attending doctors.

The program and activities are subject to change. Accommodation, surfing and breakfasts are not included. Delegates are responsible for meeting their own CPD home requirements, although support and guidance will be provided.

Questions? Email hello@ataraxiacollective.com.au