Martin
T: 0413 157 358
E: martin.worth@menswellbeing.org
Need help now? Contact Lifeline 13 11 14
or MensLine 1300 78 99 78
or other crisis services
MenConnect Solstice:
$365.00
MenConnect Solstice
previously MenConnect at the Rock
Book Now
MenConnect Solstice – The Story of My Life
MenConnect Solstice is an intimate gathering of men on the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. Around a campfire with great food and good company, men come together to talk honestly, reflect, laugh, and share stories without needing to prove anything.
This year’s theme, “The Story of My Life,” invites you to let go of old patterns and open to a new chapter. In tribal groups and through simple, powerful processes—including a burning man effigy to send wishes and dreams into the night—you’ll reconnect with the timeless tradition of men sitting together in midwinter to consider what they want to bring forth as the light returns.
It’s a chance to step out of modern busyness, reconnect with nature and community, and spend the darkest night of the year around a warm fire with good men.
You might think need to “have a problem” before attending something like MenConnect.
You don’t. Sometimes the reason to come is much simpler:
You’re tired.
Disconnected.
Flat.
Burned out.
In transition.
Or just missing genuine connection.
Most men carry more than they talk about.
This weekend creates space to put some of that down for a while.
No pressure to share.
No pressure to be anything other than yourself.
Just real men around a fire, having real conversations.
So, what’s Men Connect Solstice about?
The solstice is the middle of winter. It’s when the night is longest and the day is shortest. It’s a time when our ancestors would take stock of the year. They would begin to celebrate what they called the returning of the sun, knowing that from this time onward the days would get longer and warmer, the energy would build, and they could begin to put plans in place to replenish their winter stocks, which by this time would be getting quite low.
At the Solstice weekend, we’ll be halfway through 2026.
As men today, it is a perfect time for us to look at what you’ve created in your life so far in 2026.
It’s a good time, as we say in Men Connect, to pause, connect, and reflect with other men.
no pressure……we’re not setting out to change anybody………we’re not setting out to give advice.
What we are offering is space and time to reflect with other like‑minded men, in tribal group formation – groups of seven or eight men, as we usually do – to sit in circle around the fire, and to come together as one larger group to check in.
“Through shared experiences, and time in nature, we embrace the turning of the seasons and the personal transformations they inspire. Welcoming both new and experienced men, this weekend is an immersive journey into the MenConnect theme of Pause, Reflect, Connect, building on the success of our one-day events. Together, we create space to rewrite our stories, embrace renewal, and walk forward with strength and intention”.
A bit of ceremony is a good thing…..
We men – we gather – it good
This was a slogan from 2010 Manshine – I love it!
Last year, we had a Burning Man– an eight‑foot‑tall wooden, scarecrow‑looking dude. There he is in the picture. On the last day, we burned him to the ground. Inside the chest of that effigy, written of pieces of notebook paper, were all the things that men had decided they were going to leave behind in their lives.
At the very first Men Connect, we created personal effigies. We gathered sticks and bound them together – like little Blair Witch looking figures. Each man then went individually into the teepee, either on his own or with another man supporting him, and we burned those effigies in the fire as a symbolic release.
My feeling—my calling—this year is to do those same processes again. And because the Burning Man was such a spectacle, we’ll do that as well.
That said: Mens Wellbeing is not affiliated with any particular spiritual practice – the processes we run are simply designed to allow us, as men, to come together (usually) around a warm fire.
the nuts & bolts
Sleeping arrangements
There are no cabins at Kupidabin – but, there are two options for accommodation.
The first option is camping – you can pitch a tent, you can bring your van; there’s plenty of space for camping.
The second option, if you’d prefer not to put up a tent, is to sleep in the hall – there are mattresses that can be brought out from storage and laid on the floor. However – As we’ll be using the hall during the day for processes we’ll need to stack these away in the morning.
Catering
Our legendary Mens Wellbeing camp Chef James Baird will be doing the catering so the food will be awesome, as you who have sampled his fare will well know.
By booking Kupidabin, we’ve managed to keep the price down to pretty much what it was last year, which is amazing given that we now have accommodation costs to consider after losing the Rock….
This is, in a way, an experiment: Is Kupidabin the right place for Men’s Wellbeing to run a weekend?
Come along with me and let’s find out.
Contact Us
If you have questions please take a look through the FAQs below, but if there is a question that we haven’t answered use the "send us a message" below and we'll be right back to you with an answer!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Your bedding (sleeping bag, pillow etc),
- A folding camp chair,
- Water bottle
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Comfortable and warm clothing for day and night
- Medicines (clearly marked)
- Shoes
- Towel and toiletries
- Yoga mat (if you have one)
- Pen and writing material
- Torch
- A musical instrument if you wish
- An open heart and mind!
If you don't want to pitch a tent, you can bring your van; there’s plenty of space for camping.
The second option, if you’d prefer not to put up a tent, is to sleep in the hall..... mattresses can be brought out from storage and laid on the floor. But, as we’ll be using the hall during the day for processes we’ll need to stack these away in the morning
There is limited mobile phone signal on site with most providers.
The address is 7 Lyell Ct, Mount Samson QLD 4520 - once you approach the turn off on Mount Samson Road - look for the signs to Kupidabin and the Lyall Deer Sanctuary - don't miss the right turn into Foggs Road (that's not sign posted). From there follow the road to the end of the cul-de-sac where you will see the Kupidabin sign board.
Access is easy along bitumen roads.
Your discount code is used on the Registration & Payment Details page, which is the second page of the booking process. On the first page you select your ticket and click Add to Cart. Note that many discounts will only work on a particular ticket type. If you are unsure, check any instructions you have been given.
On the second page, look for the following text:
Click the light-blue text link "Click here to enter your code". A text entry box will be revealed where you can type the coupon code, and an "Apply" button which will calculate your new ticket price.
Optional Step: Returning customers can also "Click here to login" if you have created a username and password for our website. Logging in is an optional step when buying a ticket that can pre-fill some of your personal details on the registration form.
Click the light-blue text link "Click here to enter your code". A text entry box will be revealed where you can type the coupon code, and an "Apply" button which will calculate your new ticket price.
Optional Step: Returning customers can also "Click here to login" if you have created a username and password for our website. Logging in is an optional step when buying a ticket that can pre-fill some of your personal details on the registration form.All our weekend gatherings are able to cater for vegetarian and vegan diets as well as diets that must avoid dairy and/or gluten. You will be asked for your diet in the booking process.
Alcohol and any recreational drugs including cannabis are not permitted. You must leave these at home. We further encourage you to leave your mobile phone at home, or at least locked in your car for the weekend! There will be a designated area for tobacco smoking but we encourage you to cut back or go without for the weekend.
Mens Wellbeing Inc is a not-for-profit Association incorporated in Queensland. About Us
Our standard cancellation policy is published at Terms and Conditions and has has been updated in light of Covid19.
You do not need fixing. You are the captain of your ship, and it is you who will navigate your own course. We are here to encourage and support whatever your choices are. The event may offer you opportunities to learn new skills and enjoy experiences that can change the way you look at your life and relationships.
Absolutely! Rollicking belly laughs are part and parcel of the our men’s gathering experience. We all have been boys once and having fun is part of our birthright!
All activities are voluntary, not that we expect anyone to NOT want to join in, but if you’re needing a nap, to play or just some time to chill; it's your event. Many men come along to our gatherings simply to relax, network with other men and enjoy a light-hearted "men's space" of camaraderie and like minds. Men can attend workshops they feel drawn to, or not.
Men’s Wellbeing welcomes men of all sexual orientations. Some members are gay, some are straight, some are bisexual. This is not a sexuality-focused program — it’s about men’s wellbeing, personal growth, and how we show up in our lives.
Yes, we reserve a small number of supported tickets for men in financial need. To apply, find the link on the ticket booking page. Just choose that option, fill in your details and you will receive a call to offer you a discounted ticket.
Sorry, no pets are allowed.
Mens Wellbeing has no religious affiliation or bias. All men are welcome regardless of religious belief, nationality or sexual orientation. Our core values are honesty, respect and authenticity. There is no getting it right or wrong in our programs.
Can’t Find an Answer? Send us a Message.
Mens Wellbeing Inc.
Queensland Incorporation number IA19113
ACNC-registered, DGR-endorsed Health Promotion Charity
ABN 90 719 710 534
© 2026 Mens Wellbeing Inc.