Where inspiration flows naturally.
Awaken to birdsong, sketch by the stream, write under ancient branches, and experience pristine wilderness with modern comforts, luxuries and privacy.
The Phoenix Uprising Philosophy
Our name tells our story: rising from life's challenges stronger than before. Located on our private forested property with natural creek systems, Phoenix Uprising offers something unique in the NDIS landscape — a place where healing happens naturally, away from institutional settings and urban pressures.
Our “Beauty in Simplicity” approach focuses on:
With nature, yourself, and supportive community.
Small daily practices that create profound change.
Safe camping and hiking experiences that build confidence.
Music and art therapy in natural settings.
Learning eco-friendly living as personal empowerment.
There is no pressure to do any of this. Some guests like to simply relax and unwind at their own pace. We want you to feel nurtured, comfortable, and empowered to be in control of every aspect of your personalised stay.
A Commitment to Authentic Support
I understand the ongoing nature of mental health support and can offer genuine, trauma-informed care from a place of lived experience. I maintain my own psychiatric care, medication management, and regular psychological therapy — not as a limitation, but as a strength.
Our sustainable property is 100% electric using 36 solar panels with a storage battery. We’ve decommissioned the gas service, have rainwater tank installations booked for August 2026, & are very close to full self sufficiency & off grid capabilities. There are varied creative spaces, including partially and fully outdoor art stations, and a portable recording studio.
Participants don't just visit our space — they experience a demonstration of resilience and sustainability, opportunities to learn, and the possibility of creating a life aligned with healing values.
Why Phoenix Uprising Matters
Every program we offer — from supported camping adventures, mindful exercise in nature, picnics at breathtaking views around the Dandenong Ranges, to professional therapeutic music and art creation sessions — is designed around one core truth: transformation happens when we feel truly safe, understood, and connected to something larger than our struggles.
Whether it's helping a teen overcome camping anxiety in our completely safe environment, life hacks for single parents, or teaching practical life skills that prioritise wellbeing, every interaction is guided by genuine care and professional expertise.
Services
$290 p/night
Contact for quote
Short Term Accommodation / STR
Phoenix Uprising welcomes self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants seeking respite care that honours both current needs and potential for growth.
Our Mission
Phoenix Uprising exists because I believe in the possibility of transformation for every person, regardless of their current challenges. Through professional disability support, therapeutic nature experiences, and authentic understanding of the recovery journey, we create space for participants to discover their own strength.
The phoenix rises from ashes stronger than before. This is our promise to every participant: you are capable of your own rising.
About the Founder
With over a decade working in disability services and a Bachelor's Degree in Community Services, I have worked with everyone from newborn babies to the elderly. My experience spans disability support work, child protection work with the Department of Families, Fairness & Housing, emergency relief services with the Salvation Army, and four years volunteering across multiple charitable organisations.
Becoming disillusioned with the close-minded bureaucracy and limitations of larger organisations, I set up my own organisation specialising in disability support for NDIS recipients and psychosocial recovery coaching with a focus on mental health and neurodiversity.
What sets my approach apart is the integration of holistic, multi-pronged approaches and creative therapies with nature-based healing. As a multi-medium artist and multi-instrumentalist with an Advanced Diploma in Audio Engineering, I’ve discovered the transformative power of music and art therapy.
Further Reading: My Journey to Phoenix Uprising
Trigger warning: grief, trauma and mental health.
Twelve years ago, my world changed forever when I suddenly lost my wife, leaving me to navigate single parenthood with a two-year-old while wrestling with pre-existing complex post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, bipolar 1, chronic pain, anxiety and depression.
In those darkest moments, I discovered something profound: healing starts small — often through the simplest acts, like drinking water mindfully, gazing at the sky, touching tree bark, and feeling sunlight on my skin. These micro-wellness practices became my lifeline and eventually shaped the philosophy behind Phoenix Uprising.
Today, I understand that my personal journey through trauma was not just my story — it was preparation for my calling. As both an NDIS recipient and a disability support professional, I have walked in the shoes of those I serve. I know what it feels like to be isolated, overwhelmed, and searching for hope. More importantly, I know recovery is possible, and I’m passionate about ensuring no one has to feel the way I once did.