A guided retreat is a silent retreat with a morning presentation to help provide guidance for the retreatant. A time of coming aside to be with God, to listen to what God is saying in the depth of my being. Guided retreats are times of prayer and so much of each day is free for the retreatant to use for prayer. Guided retreats are usually 6 days thought his may vary depending on the purpose of the retreat.

Presentations on retreats follow the advertised themes and cover such topics for example as; prayer; relationship with God, with self, and with others; spirituality; Liturgical Seasons of the Year; or the mystics. Themes are provided to support the retreat not dictate the retreat; retreatants are always encouraged to follow God’s lead.

Guided Retreats begin with the 6.00pm meal on the evening of the first date, followed by a brief introduction and Eucharist. They usually conclude after 2.00pm Eucharist on the last date shown.

The usual daily program follows this format: meditation; morning input session; opportunity for spiritual accompaniment (encouraged); celebration of Eucharist; sacrament of Reconciliation is also available by arrangement with one of the Team.

A Directed retreat is a time spent in silence with your God. The title can be misleading because it may give the impression that a retreatant will be told what to do during the retreat by someone accompanying them. In fact it is a time when God takes me where I am in my personal relationship with Him and leads me deeper into intimacy with Him.

A Spiritual Director (sometimes called a Prayer Companion) will support you to be sensitive to what God is doing and encourage you to follow God’s promptings.A Directed Retreat is usually eight days.

It is a time of profound silence, interiority and stillness.

“You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever.”
Psalm 16:11

The program usually follows this format: participants meet daily with their spiritual companion; celebration of Eucharist daily; and the opportunity for the individual celebration of Reconciliation with one of the Team.

Your retreat begins with the 6.00pm meal on the evening of the first date, followed by a brief introduction and Eucharist. It usually concludes after 2pm Eucharist on the last date shown.

Car from Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne

Leave the M5/F5 at Exit 88 (Picton / Wollongong exit). Drive towards Wollongong. After 3 km turn left at the Wilton / Almond Street sign, then immediately right at the Appin/ Argyle Street sign. After 3km, turn left into Douglas Park Drive. Follow this for 4km to St. Mary’s Towers front gate on the left.

Car from Wollongong

Leave Wollongong on the Picton Road and continue until you reach Macarthur Drive on the right. Continue on to the ‘T’-junction. Turn right and then immediately left into Douglas Park Drive. Follow this for 4km to St. Mary’s Towers front gate on the left.

By Train

If you are coming from Sydney Central you may need to change trains at Campbelltown for the Southern Highlands Line.

For train timetables and maps click links

The Retreat Centre is 4km from Douglas Park Railway Station. As there are no taxis available, we will gladly meet your train.Arrangements can be made for pickups from Sydney Airport or Sydney Central Station if required.

By plane

The most convenient airport access to Douglas Park is Sydney’s Kingsford Smith International and Domestic Terminals at Mascot. Train services run from the underground stations beneath both Terminals. So, if you are coming from the Domestic or International Stations you will need to head south towards Campbelltown Station where you may need to change trains for the Southern Highlands Line. When on this Line alight at Douglas Park Station. Trains may exceed the length of one or more of the platforms at this station. When boarding or alighting at this station, please travel in the rear 2 carriage/s. Douglas Park is not attended by station staff, if departing from Douglas Park Station you may need to purchase your ticket when you arrive in Campbelltown. The trip will take you a little over an hour depending on transfer times.

The Retreat Centre provides transport to and from Douglas Park train station if required. Transport arrangements including times and requests for ‘pick-up’ or ‘drop-off’ from train stations should be made with the Administrator at the time of booking.

Flight arrivals can connect with the train service from the Airport rail stations located beneath both International (T1) and Domestic (T2 – Virgin, T3 – Qantas) Terminals. When travelling out to Douglas Park board the trains on the Airport-East Hills Line or Southern Highlands Line heading to Campbelltown/Macaurthur. At Campbelltown, cross from platform 3 to 4 for the train service to Douglas Park. * Please note there is a cost for pick-ups from Campbelltown Station.

For more information and maps to assist with travelling by vehicle, or for links to train timetables and maps, go to; How to get here …

We are fortunate to have exquisite grounds around the buildings and lovingly well-kept gardens for our guests to enjoy.

In 1842 Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell, Surveyor-General for the colony of New South Wales between 1828 and 1855, laid the foundation stone of his country residence Park Hall on a property of 4500 acres. He grew grapes and fruit trees. In 1860 Park Hall was purchased by Dr Richard Jenkins and renamed Nepean Towers.

Dr Jenkins continued to cultivate vineyards up on cemetery hill and sowed other crops. He also developed further the lawns and gardens and improved the grand avenue of trees leading from the main gate up to the house (that is the unsealed original avenue). It is thought that it was Jenkins who planted exotic species such as the Bunya Nut trees (Araucaria bidwillii). In 1868 one of the visitors to his Nepean Towers property who came by rail and then by carriage across the Douglas Park river crossing was Queen Victoria’s second son, Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh, who planted two giant pines at the head of the old avenue.

From 1904 onwards the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart developed the farm, orchards, and vegetable gardens. In late 1922 a major fire swept up the avenue destroying the pine trees, much of the farm and threatened the main buildings. The abundant free labour of the Apostolic School students, novices and brothers saw many developments in the grounds over the next fifty years. However, with the closure of the school and the relaxing of the enclosure around the novitiate many hedges were removed and garden space opened up. In 1974, Fr Leo Hill was appointed with the task of developing the retreat centre, during which time a big effort was put into improving the gardens and grounds. Many of the existing beds were established at that time.

Of special note is the wonderful rose avenue in front of the retreat house. The roses bloom up to three times a year with a festive array of colour and perfume. The other flowers beds too offer such resplendent colour, full of buzzing bees, and rich diversity reflecting the glory of God.

Also worth a mention is the Tower’s cemeteries full of rich spiritual heritage. Click here to browse the M.S.C., Good Shepherd Hill, Appin and Wilton cemeteries.

There are three prayer rooms in the retreat house. Retreatants can also use the Church and Jenkin’s Chapel, the chapel used by the resident community for their prayer and Eucharist.

At the other end of the corridor is another room for personal prayer. Bathed in golden light in the mornings,

Another beautiful space for prayer is found at the end of the east wing. From this place one can watch the rising sun edge its way over the horizon in the distance recalling the rising of God’s love in our hearts. The timber stump in the room reminds us of the wood of the cross on which God’s heart of love for us was revealed.

The community ‘Jenkins’ Chapel is also a lovely place to pray. It was built by Dr. Richard Lewis Jenkins after he retired from Parliament in 1860 and purchased Parkhall, which he renamed Nepean Towers. Jenkins intended to make Nepean Towers the religious centre of the area. The Chapel was designed by the celebrated architect Edmund Blacket.

A deeply religious member of the Church of England, Dr Jenkins gained a licence from the Bishop of Sydney for worship in his chapel. It became a dining room for students of the Apostolic School in 1915, however, fortunately, it was reclaimed in 1971 for use as a chapel by the local MSC community. The rich tiling of the entrance way, the perfectly cut masonry and magnificent timber beams and ceiling, and the wonderful stained-glass tryptic window designed by William Macleod, provides a tranquil ambience which is uplifting to the soul. While the Jenkin’s Chapel is for the use of the local community, visitors are welcome. For times of community prayer and daily Eucharist just check with the retreat house staff or community members.

Next to the Retreat House is a single story, white, timber building. The Douglas Park Mass Centre is a part of Tahmoor-Picton Parish. Built in 1918 for use by novices and scholastics, it was originally planned to build in stone, but instead the existing timber structure was built. You’re welcome to use the church for prayer and reflection anytime. Times of Masses and other parish information is available at the back of the church. For parish related enquiries click here.

St. Mary’s Towers Retreat Centre conducts a retreat program facilitated by a full-time retreat team and visiting directors as required. These retreats are conducted in a contemplative environment of prayer and silence.

Outside of this retreat program, the Centre can be booked by external groups for their own retreat use, silent or otherwise.

There is a data projector and sound system available in the main meeting room which can seat up to 60 people.

Fresh fruit, breads, spreads and other foods are available for you at any time from the retreat house kitchenettes. 

Our office staff, kitchen staff and house-keepers will do their best to cater for your needs.

Accommodation is available for up to 42 persons. All rooms are furnished with bed, desk, wardrobe, hand basis, fan and heater. We have a number of on-suited rooms which are allocated on a needs basis.

While Douglas Park shares a similar climate to Sydney, it sits in the shadow of the Razorback Range to the north, so rain may pass over Douglas Park while Sydney gets drenched. The contrary is also true. Douglas Park averages its highest rainfalls in January and March.

Summer is generally quite hot and winter very cold. Winter frosts are not unusual. Autumn and Spring sees Douglas Park at its best. Beautiful clear days and nights. Clothing by layers is best in these seasons.