Cullinan, Gauteng · an hour and a half from Roodepoort
Retreats near Roodepoort: crossing the city to find quiet on the other side
From Roodepoort the farm near Cullinan is the far side of Gauteng, roughly an hour and a half away. That distance is the point. You cross the whole city, leave it behind entirely, and arrive somewhere that has nothing to do with the week you just finished.
Registered counsellor · English and German · Weekend and longer formats
The West Rand and the habit of going without a break
Roodepoort, Weltevredenpark, Ruimsig, Little Falls, Honeydew and Wilgeheuwel sit at the western edge of Johannesburg, which for most working residents means a daily journey east and back. The commute along the N1 or Beyers Naude is not the longest in Gauteng, but it is consistent, and consistency is what wears people down.
This part of the city also has a strong outdoor culture. Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden, Kloofendal and the Krugersdorp side are on the doorstep, and many residents genuinely do get outside on weekends. That is valuable and it is not the same as rest, because a hike still involves planning, driving, effort and a return.
What I see in guests from this side is people who are active, capable and quietly running on empty. They know how to occupy a weekend. What they have not done for years is spend two days in which nothing is required of them and someone else decides what happens next.
Book a free fifteen minute call and we will look at what would actually help.
What they have not done for years is spend two days in which nothing is required of them and someone else decides what happens next.
The drive, and why the distance works in your favour
From Roodepoort the farm is roughly an hour and a half. The usual route runs onto the N1 north, past Johannesburg and towards Pretoria, then east on the N4 towards Witbank before the R513 turnoff to Cullinan. It is the longest journey of any of the Gauteng areas I serve.
Drive time
Roughly an hour and a half from Roodepoort.
The route
N1 north past Johannesburg → N4 east → R513 to Cullinan.
Suggested format
A weekend rather than a single day, so the drive pays for itself.
For that reason I usually recommend the weekend format rather than a single day. Ninety minutes each way makes a day retreat possible but tight, whereas a weekend turns the drive into a genuine transition. Several guests have described the return leg as the part where they noticed what had changed.
If a single day is all you can manage, it still works. An early departure gets you to the farm in good time, and the programme is arranged so that the day does not feel compressed.
Tell me how much time you have and I will recommend the format that makes the drive worthwhile.
Choosing a retreat format
Two to three days, and the format I would suggest first for guests coming from the West Rand. Long enough that the distance pays for itself and that the first evening of simply arriving is not the whole experience.
Up to a week, or an intensive ten day healing programme designed individually. These suit people working through prolonged exhaustion, a separation, a bereavement or a career change rather than needing a general reset.
A single day on the farm with reflective work, mindfulness, time outdoors and a shared meal. Practical as a first experience, particularly if you would like to see the place before committing to longer.
Built entirely around you, your partner, your family or a group of friends who want to travel together and do this together.
Message me with your dates and I will suggest what fits.
The available retreat types
For exhaustion, prolonged stress and emotional processing.
For stress that has become physical, through tension, sleep problems or digestive complaints.
For partners who want to reconnect rather than simply spend time in the same place.
Creativity as a therapeutic tool, no artistic experience required.
For those who need the noise to stop before anything else becomes possible.
Breath, movement and stillness, suitable for complete beginners.
For families under strain or in transition.
Shorter seasonal formats.
Not sure which one? A short questionnaire narrows it down before we speak.
What the farm offers once you arrive
The property sits in open country outside Cullinan, the historic diamond town east of Pretoria. There is no through traffic, no city glow at night and no reason to go anywhere once you have parked. Walking routes run on and around the farm, and there is a hot tub, shaded outdoor space and room to be alone when you want to be.
Meals are prepared by our chef and eaten together. The bird life is remarkable, and for anyone who has spent years under the light of the West Rand, the night sky takes some adjusting to. Guests consistently mention the setting as part of the effect rather than a backdrop to it.
You need nothing more than comfortable clothes and a willingness to engage with rest. No prior experience of meditation, yoga or therapy is required, and no particular fitness. Everything else is covered in the introductory call.
Have a look at the gallery, then get in touch to arrange your dates.
Rest that comes with understanding
A weekend away restores energy for a while. What tends not to change is the arrangement that used the energy up. The retreats are structured so that recovery is paired with reflection, which is the part that makes the effect last past the first difficult Monday.
I am a therapist, systemic coach and couples counsellor, and my work is rooted in systemic therapy. That means looking at how you interact with your environment and the people in your life, working with your strengths and resources rather than only your difficulties, and finding a way forward that is actually available to you.
One clear limit. These retreats are therapeutically grounded but they do not replace psychotherapy or medical treatment. If you are in acute distress, the SADAG helpline is free on 0800 567 567. If you are unsure whether a retreat suits your situation, say so before booking and we will look at it together.
Describe where you are and I will tell you honestly whether a retreat is the right step.
Sessions before or after, in Sandton or online
Given the distance from the West Rand, most guests from Roodepoort use virtual sessions for anything before or after the retreat. That works well and removes the travel question entirely. Face to face appointments are available in Sandton by arrangement, and in Menlyn Maine in Pretoria.
A single integration session two or three weeks after the farm is a common choice, used to hold on to whatever shifted. Some guests continue with regular counselling, couples counselling or coaching. There is no expected route and nothing is proposed to you during the retreat itself.
German speaking guests can have the whole process in German, from the first conversation to any ongoing sessions. That combination is rare in South Africa and often makes a real difference to what people are able to express.
Book a virtual session or an appointment in Sandton and we will continue from there.
About Juliane
I am a therapist, systemic coach and couples counsellor, registered as a counsellor in independent practice in South Africa, with a Master of Science in psychology and a master’s degree in management. Before this work I was a consultant and led teams in several companies.
I host every retreat myself and bring in co-facilitators for specific formats such as yoga, expressive art and body reset. The environment I aim for is warm, patient and safe, with no requirement to arrive with a diagnosis or an explanation.
You can reach me on +27 67 161 4603, also on WhatsApp, or at juliane@reflectwithjuliane.com. The first fifteen minute call is free and without obligation.
Get in touch and we will find a format that justifies the drive across the city.
Frequently asked questions about retreats near Roodepoort
How far is the farm from Roodepoort?
Roughly an hour and a half, via the N1 north past Johannesburg and then the N4 east towards the Cullinan turnoff. It is the longest of the Gauteng routes.
Is a day retreat practical from this distance?
It is possible with an early start, but a weekend retreat usually makes more sense. Ninety minutes each way is better repaid by two or three days than by one.
Is there accommodation on the farm?
Yes, for all overnight formats. The exact arrangement depends on the retreat and the group, and it is confirmed with your quotation before you book.
What is provided?
All guided sessions, meals prepared by our chef, use of the farm including walking routes and the hot tub, and accommodation for overnight stays. Inclusions vary by format and are set out in your quotation.
Do I need to be fit?
No. Walks are optional and every practice is guided so beginners can take part fully. Nothing on the programme depends on fitness or flexibility.
Can a group of friends come together?
Yes. Customised retreats are frequently booked by small groups, and travelling together also makes the distance easier.
What does it cost?
The price depends on the format, the length and the group size. Tell me what interests you and you will receive a clear quotation without hidden costs.
Are the retreats offered in German?
Yes. I work in German and English, and German speaking guests can have the entire experience in German including planning and follow-up.
Does a retreat replace therapy?
No. The retreats are therapeutically grounded but they do not substitute for psychotherapy or medical treatment. For acute concerns the free SADAG helpline is on 0800 567 567.
Can I have follow-up sessions without driving across town?
Yes. Virtual sessions are available throughout and are what most West Rand guests use. Face to face appointments in Sandton or Menlyn Maine remain an option.
Take the first step
Book a free 15 minute introduction call to get to know each other
Available on a flexible schedule, including some mornings, evenings and weekend
For anything urgent, you can contact the SADAG helpline on 0800 567 567
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Arrange a free introductory appointment in the virtual consultation room now
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