LAKE EACHAM, QLD - ARTIST RETREAT - INSECT ILLUSTRATION: 19 - 22 February 2026

🖌️ Nature & Wildlife Illustration Retreat with Dr Anna Voytsekhovich

Immerse Yourself in the Beauty of Lake Eacham – North Queensland

Reconnect with nature and awaken your creativity in the heart of North Queensland’s Lake Eacham World Heritage region. Join artist and NatureArt Lab tutor Dr Anna Voytsekhovich for a 4-day immersive art and nature retreat at the beautiful Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodges.

🐦 What You'll Experience:

• Learn to illustrate Australian insects including butterflies, moths and beetles in watercolour.
•  Explore insect anatomy and sketching techniques with live observation opportunities.
• See insects by day and night with expert entomologists.
• Enjoy regular Krefft's glider, striped possum and other marsupial sightings.
• Develop your skills in texturing, shading and natural patterns through focused exercises and create several finished illustrations of our feature species.

🌿 Your Retreat Includes:

• 4 days of art, nature and science workshops
• 3 nights accommodation in twin share or double rooms (single supplement available)
• All meals, professionally catered using local, waste-wise ingredients
• Guided nature walks, including optional nocturnal insect observation, spotlighting for gliders, owls and possums, and early morning birdwatching walks
• Expert guidance from Dr Anna Voystkhovich, entomologist, Alan Landford, and NatureArt Lab director Julia Landford (nature journaling insights)

🧭 What to Bring:

• Sturdy walking shoes, water bottle, sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
• Your nature journaling kit and any preferred art supplies (a full materials list will be provided)
• Moderate level of fitness required for **optional forest walks**

Whether you're a seasoned artist or new to nature journaling, this retreat is a nurturing space to connect art and science, surrounded by one of Australia’s most biodiverse regions.

🎨 Spaces are limited. Don’t miss this chance to sketch, learn, and unwind in nature!

Dates: 19 - 22 February 2026 (3 nights, 4 days)

Accommodation: Chambers Lodge, Lake Eacham, North Queensland

Transport Option: We will arrange a private Cairns Airport pick up for participants to Chambers Lodge at 1.30pm on 19 February, and a transfer back to Cairns Airport from Chambers on 22 February. The cost is $50 per person each way. 

Cost: Total price $1,850.00. Deposit $462.50 (25% of total payment, non-refundable), Balance of $1,387.50 is payable by 20 November 2025. 

To secure your place for this artist retreat, we suggest booking early; Bookings close on 20 February 2026. 

Our team: 

Julia Landford - Tour Leader

Julia Landford is the team leader and Founding Director of NatureArt Lab and brings substantial experience with natural history, nature journaling and tour management. Julia is passionate about nature and environmental education, and is also a practicing artist and nature journaler. She is the Founding President of the Australian Nature Journaling Association (ANJA), and was awarded the Environmental Educator of the Year (ACT) by the Australian Association for Environmental Education (2019).

Dr Anna Voytsekhovich - Guest Artist

Anna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Ecology, and a PhD in Botany, she is a professional scientist, scientific illustrator, botanical artist and wildlife illustrator. She was born in Ukraine in 1982. She is an author of a few books and scientific papers, but also known as a scientific illustrator. In 2016 she moved to Australia and became a member of the Botanical Art Society of Australia. She currently resides in Sydney and works on a Bush Habitat restoration of critically endangered plant communities.

Alan Landford - Entomologist and Co-Director

Alan Landford has a scientific background in zoology, specialising in entomology from the Australian National University. He also has substantial wildlife experience from Australia and Papua New Guinea, and other regions. 

Nature Tour Cancellation policy:

We recommend that participants take out comprehensive travel insurance against injury, illness, emergency medical evacuation, loss and damage to personal belongings, not being able to travel on a confirmed date of departure or tour cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances.

Any cancellations after the deposit is paid will incur loss of the full deposit, which helps to cover our costs for design and management of the tour program and early supplier costs incurred.

For cancellations 120 to 60 days before departure 50% of the cost of the tour will be forfeited. If cancellation takes place 59 days or less before the start date 100% of the tour cost will be forfeited.

If NatureArt Lab has to cancel a nature tour due to undersubscription, you will receive a refund of all payments made for that tour.

Please contact us at info@natureartlab.com.au if you have any questions.

NatureArt Lab Awards

2022, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Promoting Sustainability, ACT; and National Finalist Award

2024, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Building Communities, ACT; and National Finalist Award

2025, Telstra Best of Business Award Finalist for Promoting Sustainability, ACT; and Finalist for Accelerating Women, ACT

2025, Awards Australia Semi-Finalist for Connecting Communities, NSW and ACT; and Semi-Finalist for Small Business Award NSW and ACT. 

Images: Watercolour illustrations by Dr Anna Voytsekhovich; photography by Alan and Julia Landford