SOLSTICE SURRENDER 2025
Solstice Surrender 2025
Date: June 19, 6.30am pick up, returning approx. 5.30pm
Location: Departs Hobart, Tasmania bound for Shadow Lake wilderness
This is no ordinary wellness day retreat.
Solstice Surrender is a one-day alpine adventure for those craving something raw, real, and unforgettable. It’s a guided reckoning with winter - an invitation to crush comfort, choose courage, and reconnect with what it means to feel alive.
Your journey begins at first light. From Hobart, we drive deep into Tasmania’s Central Highlands, bound for the stillness of Lake St Clair and perhaps a dusting of snow. From there, we hike 2.5 hours through breathtaking alpine landscapes to reach Shadow Lake - a place as mystical as its name suggests.
And then… the plunge.
Guided and supported, you’ll strip away the layers (literally and metaphorically) and immerse yourself in the icy water. It’s a shared ritual — of courage, surrender, and wild joy. The cold becomes your teacher, your mirror, your liberation.
We return via a gentler circuit trail, gathering at the lodge for fireside warming drinks and shared stories — bonded by the madness we just embraced.
What’s Included
- Hosted full-day experience with Sam (The Derwent Experience) and Alice (Tailored Tasmania/Wild Wellness)
- Return transport from Hobart to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
- National Park entry
- Guided alpine hike to Shadow Lake
- Supervised cold water immersion (optional but encouraged!)
- Picnic style lunch and coffee/tea at Shadow Lake
- Use of warm base and gear check-in at Lake St Clair Lodge
- Post-plunge warming drinks
- Author-led journaling fireside
- Group support, laughter, and a once-in-a-lifetime story to tell
Good to Know
- Above-average fitness required (hike is approx. 12km return, with moderate elevation)
- All activities take place outdoors in winter conditions – layered clothing and sturdy boots essential
- Led by experienced local guides with a passion for challenge, nature and storytelling
- Cold immersion is entirely optional – the journey itself is transformational
- This is NOT a NUDE swim - forget about Dark MOFO's nude swim. We remove layers down to the essentials and in we go.
One day. Once a year. One wild decision.
Will you surrender?
Shadow Lake walk - introduction
Leaving from the Lake St Clair Visitors Centre, the Shadow Lake Circuit is a fascinating 12km walk that weaves its way through three strikingly different forest types; highland eucalypt forest, sub-alpine moorland and rainforest. Situated below Mt Hugel, Shadow Lake itself is beautiful and provides a picturesque spot to stop and explore. The trail is clearly marked and mostly well maintained underfoot. Climbing only 270m throughout its duration, the Shadow Lake Circuit is a beautiful 4-5 hour walk.
Health & Safety Information
This experience is designed for adults aged 18 years and over.
The cold-water plunge is a powerful and optional element of the day. It is intended as a personal challenge and is always undertaken with care, supervision, and consent.
Out of precaution, we advise you do not participate in the cold-water immersion if you are:
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive
- Epileptic
- Diagnosed with Raynaud’s disease (Type 2)
- Living with high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, or other cardiovascular/heart issues
- Have a history of serious health conditions (e.g. stroke, COPD, significant respiratory or circulatory concerns)
If you’re unsure whether this experience is right for you, we encourage you to consult your doctor and get in touch with us directly. Your safety and wellbeing are our top priorities — we’re happy to work with you to ensure your day is safe, empowering, and unforgettable.
Pickup details: we are a small group and this can be arranged. If you're local we'll try to swing by your front door and for visitors we can pick up/drop off from your accommodation.
What to bring: day pack, raincoat, drink bottle, warm layers, supportive walking shoes with firm tread, bathers/towel/towel poncho/optional thongs if you're plunging, personal medications and a journal/pen (we will have some on hand).