Noosa Forest Retreat; Community & Permaculture Course Center Qld

Firstly, the land itself is rich with life and beauty. I loved waking and sleeping to its rhythms each day.The program is led by Ian Trew, who’s passionate vigour is immediately felt. A host of other mentors brought in an abundant variety of knowledge and this helped me reflect on how my own unique expression of permaculture might look.The theory-dense course requires focus and dedication to absorb the foundations of permaculture history, systems, and practice. The open class, filled with fresh air, light and natures’ songs, gave us the best opportunity to digest the knowledge being shared.The commitment to vitality and joy shared by residents and neighbours showed despite macro ecological-political issues, there are communities devoted to living their solutions, and they are thriving.Ultimately, I felt accepted here. I am only beginning my permaculture journey but this time in the Gully afforded me new bonds, deep reflection, and potential. I am so grateful x

Participating in the Permaculture Design Course in Aug 2020 was a deeply rewarding experience for myself and my family. It was much much more than learning how to grow food. The brief to students from the operators included to bring an open mind. If you truly allow your mind to be open through the course, you will feel into a human experience you may have not allowed yourself for some time. Not without it's challenges, both social and personal, however navigating these challenges in a group with a community mindset and the permaculture principles as the guide, awakened a deeper sense of purpose and understanding of the connection to the collective and cycles in nature and society. We made new friends with like minded people and are now proud to be part of a community, working together for a greater cause. Social, spiritual, economic, climate, science, food sovereignty, music, art, connection, healing, knowledge sharing and I could go on and on.

I completed my PDC from Noosa Forest Retreat last year and it was a wonderful experience. I did it online as I couldn't find any in-person option that I could attend whilst looking after my two kids, but I liked that I was able to do it at my own pace, and access the content or re-watch the videos whenever I needed. Ian Trew and the PDC team are very knowledgeable and inspiring, the content provided is invaluable in every aspect, not just for permaculture, and the feedback for the assessments was always thorough and informative. I also got a chance to meet Ian in one of the Gardening Days at Bellbunya, and it was just as inspiring but with the added bonus of being hands-on and surrounded by beautiful people and environment. Thank you to all the PDC team, definitely recommend!

Permaculture has given me the knowledge to understand my place in this world.It is simultaneously the most humbling and uplifting knowledge to have.I feel very lucky to have connected with Noosa Forest Retreat during a wonderful natural building course. The moment you arrive you know you are in a special place where special things happen. The community are so welcoming and inclusive and the land is so naturally beautiful. Being a part of that and building a natural structure there with an awesome group of people, including my son, was truely a fantastic experience.During that time I was introduced to some permaculture principles and was compelled to do the Permaculture Design Course which I completed the following month. The access to such important knowledge is facilitated brilliantly by the teachers who are always there to support you and answer all your questions. The course is beautifully catered for and the connections you make with nature and the great individuals this course seems to attract make it such a profoundly special experience. Personally I found the course mind blowing and am constantly being inspired by that in every aspect of my life.Since then I am so glad my son has completed this course and he too is inspired by having this knowledge in his life. We have been united in our permaculture journey and continue to be a part of the Noosa Forest Retreat extended community and participate in projects there often. Now they can't keep us away!

Thanks to Ian Trew and the team at noosa Forest retreat. I feel blessed to complete my pdc from such inspiring teachersI recommend any courses Ian teaches. He is full of knowledge and an excellent communicator

Ciao from Italy. Very well designed course, really interesting. It is very useful to be able to review the recorded lectures. The materials provided in the various modules (handouts, charts, etc.) are really useful and very thorough. We were able to attend the course even though we were working. Our tutors are very helpful and punctual.Highly recommended!

The Noosa Forest Retreat 2021 Permaculture course experience for me was mind blowing. I entered the course with very little expectations and was completely blown away by the level and detail of knowledge that was shared with us all on such a broad holistic level. For me personal I really resonated with the direct correlation between the environment/ecosystem which we live in and our own journey to perfect health, living in pure alignment with nature. Thank you so much to Ian and the PDC team.

We just completed our Team PDC Online with Noosa Forest Retreat and the fabulous Ian Trew, and his team. The course is both insightful and practical and we have gone from being complete permaculture novices to community educators in a few short months! My advice to others interested in creating a sustainable future for themselves and others around them, is to get stuck in and do it! This course will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve great things, who knows what doors will open for you because of it! It's not for the faint hearted, but if you are willing to commit to it and do the hard graft, your success in this course and in life, is guaranteed! Learn, Grow, Live!

We recently completed the online PDC from Noosa Forest Retreat while travelling around Australia. The online platform and course material suited us perfectly and we really enjoyed the journey from learning the basic permaculture principles to being able to confidently create our own design document. Ian's passion and energy for sharing his knowledge definitely came through in the online videos. Definitely recommend.