Be Chill CPD - a doctors CPD & well-being event for stress reduction and burnout prevention 2026

BE CHILL CPD - A doctor's continuing professional development & well-being retreat on stress reduction and burnout prevention 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, 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 - 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 completing your minimum AHPRA CPD requirements a breeze. Enjoy conducting a professional conversation to review your performance as a doctor & complete or review your mandatory professional development plan with expert coaching. Conduct a burnout prevention audit to leverage your practice. Be professionally supported & inspired to leave knowing yourself a little more and be able to manage yourself and your practice more masterfully. You will 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 & prevent burnout • Your biases and blind spots • What is cultural safety & the CAPE requirements • The Medical Board of Australia CPD requirements for doctors and how to meet them Inclusions • Talks on our CPD requirements, stress management skills & burnout • Group CPD sessions are designed to empower, & 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, & 5 hours of measuring outcomes • Mindfulness and self-care sessions are incorporated into all group CPD sessions • Delegate handouts with CPD templates to complete & upload into your CPD home, along with take-home skills & other resources • Enjoy daily sessions of gentle yoga and stretching, yoga and relaxation, and mindfulness practice with one of Newcastle's best yoga teachers, Melanie Dawson. If the weather permits, we might do it on the grass outside or on the beach! Don't forget to bring your mat and comfy yoga gear • Welcome afternoon tea, Friday evening welcome drinks and bistro 2-course dinner at Caves Bar and Bungalows • Morning and afternoon tea and lunch on Saturday and Sunday are provided by the bistro team • 2-course meal at Mawsons, Caves Beach, just up the road, a short walk away on Saturday evening • Just so you know, accommodation, surf lessons & 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 session & pre-reading/work, you will complete 12 hours total of CPD, with 5 hours of Reviewing Performance, including a professional conversation and the mandatory professional development plan, and 5 hours of Measuring Outcomes with a burnout prevention audit. All activities embed ethical practice, cultural safety and professional behaviours. Attendance to all group sessions aims to support your minimum CPD requirements. We don't want you to stress, & we do want more for you than a tick-box experience. Following the retreat, you will be set up with optional self-directed CPD activities. Give yourself the gift of making CPD easy, useful & joyful. . Location The stunning coastal town of Caves Beach is home to one of Australia's top-ranked beaches. It secured the 9th spot on the "Best Australian Beaches" list, according to Tourism Australia. See for yourself what all the fuss is about. Bring your surfboard, swimmers and joggers. Explore all the coast has to offer with walking tracks for days, beginner and advanced surf spots, caves to explore and a flat white sand beach to roam or lie down on and breathe. Caves Beach has a few lovely cafes and dining spots, including Mawsons, Caves Bar, and Bungalows. Just over an hour from Sydney and Newcastle Airport, Caves is conveniently and ideally placed for a weekend escape. There are plenty of kid-friendly activities around and playgrounds, so you can extend the visit and even make it a family holiday. Caves Beach is 40 minutes from Newcastle, making exploring the town a fun option too! Other close and divine spots to investigate include Blacksmiths and Redhead Beach, Catherine Hill Bay and Murrays Beach, Pelican and Naru. The Swansea Channel opens up into spectacular Warners Bay, so if you love Lake life, you will love this area. Surfing at Caves Beach If you love surfing or fancy having a try, there is time the Friday before or the Sunday after the retreat to jump into the green or the salty white waves. You can book a lesson with one of Caves Beach's excellent providers. You can head into town and catch a wave with the Newcastle locals at Nobbys, Merewether or Newcastle beaches, but there is no need to drive all that way! Caves Beach, renowned for its distinctive cave formations and dynamic waves, offers a surfing experience like no other in Newcastle. As a prominent location for Newcastle Surf School, Women’s, and Learn to Surf Newcastle, it provides a blend of natural beauty and exciting surf challenges, making it a favorite among both beginners and seasoned surfers. For those new to the sport, the surf lessons at Caves Beach offer a comprehensive introduction, ensuring that every beginner grasps the basics while enjoying the beach’s unique landscape.