Vanaprastha is a multi-faith ashram in Melbourne's leafy east — built for all stages of life. Simple rooms, sattvic meals, weekend yoga and study, a garden you can put your hands in, and people who'll remember your name.
In Vedic life, Vanaprastha is the season after raising children and earning a living — a turn inward, toward simplicity and service. We offer the place to actually do that, with people from many backgrounds and faiths.
Weekend yoga, scripture study, and silent meditation — open to anyone willing to show up. Vedic in roots, ecumenical in welcome. Christians, Buddhists, agnostics and atheists all live here.
See the weekly rhythmThree Indian vegetarian meals a day on request, mostly from the herb garden you can help tend.
Every Saturday, one resident shares their life story. Five generations, twenty countries, no judgement.
Long-term residency for people of all age and walk of life. You bring your suitcase and your story; we offer the warmth, peace, and harmony.
View rooms
Each room comes with bed and mattress, fridge, full use of the gardens and yoga hall, and a community of people who'll notice if you don't come down for chai.
North-facing room with an ensuite, study nook and a sliding door onto the herb terrace.
Two-bedroom suite with shared lounge — for couples, siblings, or friends walking this stage together.
Standalone accessibility room at the back of the garden with private verandah — for those who want more solitude.
Residents keep a gentle daily rhythm of spirituality and practice. Visitors and locals are welcome at the weekend sessions below.
An hour with the Gita, the Upanishads, or a guest text — read slowly, discussed gently, never preached.
By arrangement · ask usHatha and chair yoga for older bodies. No flexibility required.
Saturdays · 4:30 PMDevotional singing with harmonium and tabla. Open mic if you'd like.
Festival nights · Diwali, Holi, Ganesh ChaturthiOne resident is the "book" each week — sharing their life, their work, their loss. The most-attended hour of the week.
SaturdaysThree sattvic meals daily for residents. Set menu prepared with consultation.
Daily on requestTulsi, neem, curry leaf, mint, ginger. Tend it, harvest it, cook with it.
Sundays · 12 – 5 PMThese happen most weeks. Festival nights are announced closer to the date.
Meet the household, see the rooms. The easiest way to get to know us.
Hatha and chair yoga for older bodies. Chairs and props for every pose.
Weeding, and planting with the residents. Take home a cutting.
We're not slick. We need chefs, gardeners, drivers, listeners, teachers, and anyone with a story to share. No experience required.
Help chop, stir and help our elderly residents. Wednesdays and weekends.
Weeding, mulching, planting and herb-harvesting. Outdoors, conversational.
Hold a weekly class — anything from English conversation to Sanskrit to chair yoga.
Take residents to appointments, the market or the temple — and stay for chai.
Festival nights, kirtans, workshops — setup, welcome, washing-up.
Sit with a resident, record their stories for the Human Library archive. Training given.
I love the peace and quiet when I come home from work tired, and being able to spiritually retire to my abode.
I love the yoga on weekends — it sets me up for the week ahead. The residents teach me more Hindi than my grandmother ever did.
I volunteer in the garden every Saturday. Enjoy yoga at my age with fellow residents.
No. The teachings we draw on are Vedic, but the household is multi-faith. Residents have come from Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Jain and secular backgrounds. The only requirement is respect for the rhythms of the house.
We're built for the vanaprastha stage — anybody over 18+. We're flexible if your circumstances make sense for the community; we'll talk it through during your visit.
Yes — your room, utilities, Wi-Fi, all classes and gardens are included. Personal expenses (phone, medicines, the occasional taxi) are yours.
Fill in the room inspection form — it takes about 5 minutes. You'll need ID worth 100 points and details of your employer or support worker. We'll call you within 48 hours to arrange an inspection.
Please do. Saturday Yoga is the easiest day — book a visit through the form below and we'll set a mat for you.
We're not an aged-care facility, but we're well-placed: a major hospital is 10 minutes away, and a GP visits weekly. Residents must be independently mobile when joining.
We aim to be self-sustainable. Resident contributions cover roughly 80% of running costs. The rest is made up by volunteer time.
Saturday lunch is the easiest way to meet the household. Bring nothing but yourself.
