About Ember Collaborative
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Through diverse, vibrant events, Ember Collaborative empowers women by cultivating community, fostering impactful learning, and celebrating the richness of womanhood.
There is a lack of accessible, non-judgmental spaces where women can gather to connect, learn, grow, and simply be. Women’s skills and stories are undervalued or overlooked and opportunities to celebrate one another, share knowledge, and feel inspired in community are rare. We need spaces where women can relax, learn and revel in their radiance!
It is a not-for-profit structure and registered ACNC charity. -
An ember represents the potential for transformation and growth. Embers are resilient. Embers are far more powerful when part of something larger. What better way to explain the power, potential and unity that defines the gatherings our collaborative creates?
A small, glowing ember can ignite into a powerful fire, just as an Ember Gathering can ignite the spark of potential within every woman. When women come together, as embers found within a larger fire, their collective strength and influence can be far greater than individual efforts. And women endure. Just as embers can remain hot and glowing even in challenging conditions, our name reminds us that we too can endure and shine.
An ember has ignited.
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Originally named Wierd Women, Ember Co was founded in 2018 by a group of 22-year-olds from Sydney to create a safe and inclusive space for all women. The collective aimed to challenge gender norms and provide a unique gathering where women could embrace their individuality and share their talents.
The first event in March 2018 hosted 75 women and was so impactful that it has now evolved into an annual non-profit event, welcoming hundreds of attendees.
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Ember Collaborative is a proud partner of Maiya School, an Australian-registered charity that runs learning centres for adolescent girls who live in refugee camps where female education is largely inaccessible.
Maiya School is motivated to give adolescent girls living in refugee camps around the world the opportunity to learn, improving their own lives and the lives of those around them.
The project aims to increase opportunities, raise self-confidence, and inspire a generation of girls living in displacement.
Maiya School was started by Wierd Women Co-Founder Dayna Santana, and her long-time friend Philippa Nilsson. The school is running in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, where Dayna and Philippa have both lived and worked for extended periods of time. -
You can contact us via Instagram @ember.collaborative or at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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We would love to hear from you! Send us an email at [email protected] and we will get back to you within 1-3 business days.
General Festival
Information
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Ember Interlude 2025 will take place at Mangrove Mountain, located on Darkinjung Country in the Central Coast region of New South Wales, Australia. It’s approximately a 1-hour drive from Sydney and around 1 hour and 15 minutes from Newcastle.
Ember Wildfire 2026 will be gathered on Gundungurra Country, in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia. It’s approximately a 1 hour and 20 minute drive from Sydney and around an 8-hour drive from Melbourne. -
Ember Interlude:
Friday 14 - Sunday 16, November 2025.Gates open at midday on the Friday and close at 4pm on Sunday.*
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Ember Collaborative exists to ignite connection, empowerment, and learning among women+, providing an inclusive space for authentic exploration, skill-sharing, and growth.
We foster a supportive environment where women+ can connect, uplift each other, and explore various expressions of womanhood through events such as our Annual Gathering.
The festival unites 500 women of diverse backgrounds for three nights and four days of workshops, fun and wellbeing in a beautiful location.
Some of the activities on offer are thought-provoking panels and interviews, skill-enhancing workshops, enriching learning sessions, captivating DJ sets and live performances, markets, and much more.This inclusive gathering warmly welcomes those of all ages who identify as a woman and/or gender fluid.
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All ages are welcome to attend the event! Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
At our larger event, we have a dedicated kids and mothers space to make the festival experience more comfortable and curated for families.
Please reach out to us if you have any questions regarding your family festival experience. -
Ember is a festival created for women and for those who strongly identify with the experience of womanhood. While we are, at our heart, a women’s event, we do not define womanhood by biology alone. We trust our attendees to self-select with care.
We welcome trans women, and also non-binary and gender-fluid individuals who feel a connection to womanhood and believe this is a space that resonates with their identity and values.
We have previously hosted a range of women+ from 0 to 70 years old.
We are committed to creating a dynamic, inclusive, and empowering environment for all attendees. We embrace the diversity in womanhood and strive to reflect and celebrate this richness at our events. Our goal is to amplify diverse voices and create a welcoming and valued environment for everyone. -
Ember Interlude:
Friday 14 Nov: 12pm - 10pm*Saturday 15 Nov: 8 am - 12 pm
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Ember Interlude is a smaller, more intimate version of our annual gathering — a return to the heart of Ember. It’s a weekend designed for connection, reflection, learning, and community.
While the schedule and offerings will differ slightly from our larger events, you can expect the same rich blend of soulful workshops, thought-provoking panels, music, performance, and moments of rest woven throughout the weekend.
Want a sense of the Ember vibe? Explore our past events or head to Instagram to see what’s been offered in previous years. Interlude will hold the same spirit, just more intimate.
Ember Wildfire is our big, bold annual gathering — a full-expression celebration of womanhood, creativity, connection, and play.While the full 2026 program is still being lovingly crafted, past Ember festivals have included a rich tapestry of experiences: from thought-provoking panels and skill-sharing workshops to immersive learning spaces, powerful performances, live music, and late-night dancing under the stars.
You can expect:
✧ A wide variety of creative and educational offerings
✧ DJ sets, live music, and movement sessions
✧ Art, performance, and soul-stirring storytelling
✧ Wellness, ritual, and rest spaces
✧ Markets, thrifting, and community connection zones
✧ Nature immersion, with fresh river swims and lush bushlandWhile Wildfire 2026 will bring its own unique magic, it will carry the same essence: expansive, empowering, and joyfully wild.
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The schedule will be released prior to the events and contributors will be announced over our Instagram progressively.
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Acacia Forum
This is the festival’s central hub where all interviews and the Saturday night party will take place, as well as many workshops.
Banksia Pavillion
The secondary workshop zone, where many creative and learning sessions will be held.
Big Mama's Nest
A serene and nurturing space created by the wonderful crew from Big Mamas Campout. This sanctuary is dedicated to mamas and their little ones, providing a haven where you can feel seen, held, and celebrated
River Oasis
Our sun soaked main beach.
River Stage
A beach paradise where music sets the scene for sunbathing, swimming, and dancing.
Market Area
An eclectic mix of vendors from clothes and jewellery, to pottery, food and more.
Blanket Bazaar
All attendees are invited to sell their crafts and wares in the flea market area. Blanket stalls only. Bring cash!
Zen Den
Massages, relaxation and rejuvanation. Cash only.
Health Temple
A dedicated pop-up clinic for all your health consults with naturopaths and more.
Mystics Enclave
Tarot, astrology, oracle and healing sessions. Cash only.
Swap Shop
Bring two quality pieces of clothing and in return, discover a curated selection of pre-loved fashion waiting for you. -
Beach umbrellas & shade
Bin bags - you will need to take your rubbish home with you
Camping gear (including shade)
Head torch/lighting for your campsite
Pillow & bedding
CASH for market stalls,
readings, massagesDrinking water
Toiletries
Wet weather gear & warm clothes
Esky & Ice
Flow toys for jamming
Food & snacks for Friday - Monday
Clothes Swap items (5 items max - good quality!)
Cushion for the panels
Notepad & pen to take notes during interviews & workshops
Beach blankets /tapestries /picnic rugs for relaxing
Hammock for the Hammock Hub
Charity donation items
If you smoke, something to bin your butts
Mosquito spray
Sunscreen
Plate, cutlery & cup/mug
Stove for cooking - no open fires please.
Swimmers & towel for the beautiful sandy river-beach
Yoga Mat
Your own artistic and craft projects if you wish
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Please do not bring:
Animals (unless a previously approved Assistance Animal)
Bean bags containing styrofoam beads
Baby wipes
Glitter
Generators
Glass
Anything illegal - weapons, drugs
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We post on the instagram page any lost and found items from the event within 10 days of the event.
If you have lost something, please reach out to us on our Instagram or email us at [email protected] -
The festival will have coffee and food stalls if you wish to purchase at the event, however we recommend you bring your own supplies as well!
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Absolutely. We would love for you to join. Our attendees and our contributors range from 0-70+.
We have a discounted Wise Woman ticket for anyone over 50. You can purchase it via our Humanitix.
Tickets and Admission
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Tickets for Ember Interlude are currently on sale! You can purchase a ticket by heading to our Humanitix.
Ember Wildfire 2026 tickets will be released soon! Stay tuned on Instagram for all the latest updates. -
We try to make the event as accessible as possible and have a range of ticket prices for a range of people.
Ember Interlude
Earlybirds (sold out) start at $185 and final release is $330. We offer discounted tickets for First Nations attendees, Wise Women and kids as well as carer and companion tickets. -
We understand that financial barriers should not hinder anyone from experiencing the magic of an Ember Gathering. That's why we're excited to offer a limited number of full and half scholarship tickets to deserving individuals who may not otherwise have the means to attend. Scholarship recipients will receive full access to Ember Gathering.
Please see our Ember 2026 event page and scroll to the bottom to see more info on how to apply for a scholarship ticket. -
Keep a eye on our instagram for any flash sales, giveaways or competitions.
We offer a range of discounted tickets to various individual groups includingFirst Nations
Wise Women (Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunties, Elders, etc when attending with a full price ticket)
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Yes, it is free for companions to attend when accompanying a full price ticket. Please contact us at [email protected] to organise your ticket.
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Pricing tickets for our event involves balancing accessibility with the quality of the experience we provide. The event industry in NSW presents several challenges, including potential cancellations, late ticket purchases, and limited budgets. Additionally, organising the event requires a significant amount of work, often with little or no monetary reimbursement.
We strive to set ticket prices that reflect the immense effort and resources required to create a memorable and inclusive event while ensuring it remains accessible to as many people as possible. We appreciate your understanding and are extremely grateful for your support when purchasing a ticket.
The following information is also taken into account when pricing tickets:Contributors are paid for sharing their experience and knowledge
Increased amount of higher-cost performances and workshops
Multiple new spaces to cater to more activities and diverse people
Investment in an amazing site
Increased decor and infrastructure budget
We are offering the below entry passes10 full and half-scholarship passes offered
30 volunteer positions (entry pass in exchange for x amount of work)
Reduced price tickets for mums, aunties, grandmas, etc
Reduced price tickets for First Nations
Free entry for companion carers when attending with a client
More than one-third of attendees (35-40%) at the event do not contribute towards an entry pass:Contributors (workshop hosts, performers, etc.)
Event organisers
Scholarship tickets
Volunteers
Our Mums
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We do not offer refunds unless the festival is cancelled or postponed.
As is standard practice with all ticketed events, festivals and other ticketed gatherings within Australia (and also worldwide), we cannot provide refunds to individuals due to their personal extenuating circumstances. For example, this is the policy for all reputable Australian festivals such as Dragon Dreaming, Subsonic, Splendour in the Grass, Seven Sisters Festival etc.We can try to assist you with selling your ticket if needed. You are welcome to post and tag us on Instagram.
Event organisers cannot permit ticket holders to refund their tickets due to plan/commitment changes, is that locked-in ticket sales are the only way it is possible to run an event, due to the high cost of all event-related bookings and fees.
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Children need tickets as well.
Anyone under 18 needs to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. -
By purchasing a ticket or attending Ember Collaborative events, you agree to:
Entry: Show a valid ticket. Organisers may refuse or revoke entry for unsafe or disruptive behaviour.
Refunds: Tickets are non-refundable except in exceptional circumstances. Event changes or cancellations may be offered as rescheduled attendance or credit.
Children: Under 18s must be supervised by a responsible guardian at all times.
Photography: Attendance may be photographed or filmed for promotion. Opt-out available on entry.
Safety & Conduct: Respectful behaviour required. Weapons, animals, illegal drugs, and glass are prohibited. Attendance is at your own risk.
Accessibility: Notify organisers in advance for support.
Weather & Changes: Event may proceed in extreme weather. Organisers may cancel/postpone for emergencies; no refunds in these cases.
Environment: Dispose of litter responsibly and follow sustainability practices.
Accessibilty
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Yes, assistant animals are allowed on site. Animals must wear a vest showing their accreditation, and remain tethered by their handler’s side at all times.
Please email us at [email protected] if you are intending to bring an assistance animal. -
We will have reserved seating in our main space for attendees who are hard of hearing or lip readers.
We also offer a large range of workshops and spaces that are not speaking-focused, such as craft workshops and the zen temple.
Please contact us at [email protected] to chat about how we can make the event a great experience for you. -
We’re thrilled to be hosting Big Mamas Nest, a serene and nurturing space created by the wonderful crew from Big Mamas Campout. This sanctuary is dedicated to mamas and their little ones, providing a haven where you can feel seen, held, and celebrated.
For the Mamas:
➺ Connect with other mamas and share chats and cuddles.
➺ Breastfeed and change nappies in a comfortable, welcoming environment.
➺ Enjoy herbal teas, soothing foot baths, nourishing touch, and yoni steaming.
➺ Be acknowledged and celebrated.
For the Kids:
➺ Engage in nature crafts, mindful movement, song circles, and games.
➺ Play and explore in a safe and fun environment.
Big Mamas Nest will be managed by a dedicated team of mamas and a maiden who are qualified therapists, doulas, and child care workers. They’ll be there to nourish, care for, and support both mamas and children throughout the festival.
All children and babies must register with a free ticket via Humanitix.
The workshops and other spaces will also be kid-friendly. There will be a quiet family camping area, close enough to everything, but quiet enough in the evening for a good nights sleep.
Camping, Glamping & Accomodation
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Attendees stay overnight in their preferred choice of camping, glamping or offsite accommodation.
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Yes, your ticket has camping included.
Part of the experience of Ember's Annual Gathering is that you can camp on-site! If you are camping you will need to bring your own tent and sleeping supplies. -
You are welcome to stay offsite if you wish. There is a range of off-site accommodation such as Airbnb near the event site.
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Yes, we will have quiet & family camping available for anyone who wishes to ensure a very peaceful sleep.
