Art has always been part of life here, so inviting guests into that space felt like an extension of home rather than a “programme.”
When you live in the middle of native rainforest on the West Coast, you start noticing colour whether you mean to or not. The greens aren’t just green — they’re layered. Moss green, river green, new fern green. The sky shifts ten times a day. Tree bark carries silver, rust and charcoal tones. After rain, everything deepens and feels almost saturated.
It was never a grand plan. It just felt natural to start sharing what we were already immersed in.
If you’ve stayed at Te Aka Treehouse Native Forest Retreat, you may have already noticed — some of the artwork on the walls carries the signature Lisa Kilkelly. That’s not by accident. Lisa has been creating for years, quietly building a body of work inspired by the bush, the shifting light, the textures of landscapes she has fallen in love with. She loves prints, nature studies, landscapes — pieces that feel connected to place rather than manufactured.
The workshops are simple and relaxed. Small groups. Sometimes just one or two guests around the table. A pot of tea on the go. Paints out. Windows open to the bush. There’s no rigid structure, no pressure to produce something frame-worthy. It’s more a conversation. A “have a look at that light through the trees — what do you notice?” sort of approach.
Most people begin by saying they’re not creative. That usually fades fairly quickly.
There’s something about sitting in the forest that loosens the grip a bit. Shoulders drop. Hands start moving. The need to impress disappears. Sometimes you paint landscapes. Sometimes you experiment with texture and colour. Sometimes the artwork is secondary to the intent focus that settles in while you’re making it.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about being present.
Guests often pair a workshop with a sauna session, a cold plunge, or a wander along the boardwalk. It all blends together — forest outside, forest inside. Creative energy feels different when you’re not rushing back to traffic or notifications.
Lisa simply loves sharing what she’s passionate about with those who feel curious. If you’re keen to connect with your creative side while you’re here, enquire about what’s currently on offer. Workshops run on selected stay dates and by request, and there are a few upcoming events in the pipeline as well.
Nothing flashy. Just honest time to create in a place that naturally inspires it.
If that sounds like your pace, stay tuned — or reach out and ask what’s coming up next.
The ultimate West Coast escape — off-grid, indulgent, unforgettable. Your space to rest, reconnect, and explore untamed wilderness.