The ECOLOGY RETREAT CENTRE offers a tranquil environment, nature, and a space where you can hear the trees when you listen in one of the most beautiful areas inOntario - theHockleyValley. They are nestled just outside of the town of Orangeville, within the magical Hills of the Niagara Escarpment, between the BruceTrailand the beautiful Nottawasaga River.
Only 45 minutes North of theToronto Airport by car, the Retreat Centre is surrounded by 200 acres of natural forest, with hills and valleys, open meadows and spring fed streams. Within a lush and rich forest, an endless network of trails surround a lazy pond, which is home to the many bird species which abound. This is truly an unspoiled area of natural beauty in which to rediscover our sacred relationship with the Earth. The Ecology Retreat Centre is a place where people come to be nourished and renewed.
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Ecology Retreat Centre
308046 Hockley Rd. RR#1, Orangeville
Ontario,CanadaL9W 2Y8
Local Phone: 1 (519) 941-4560
Toll-free Number: 1 (800) 486-5460
Email: Bookings@ecologyretreatcentre.com
Website: ecologyretreatcentre.com
Reservations
Lodging: For room and board reservations please contact Linda Ludwig or Fiona Rattray at 519-669-2016 or by email at lmludwig@hughes.net or frattray@hughes.net. Your accommodations will include your stay, all meals and use of all facilities on the property. If you require special meal accommodations, please let Linda and Fiona know at the time of your reservation.
Please Note: Even if you choose to stay off site you must contact Linda or Fiona to register with the venue as a commuter.
About the Accommodations: The main housing is in The Lodge with 15 bedrooms with 3 beds per room with spacious central washrooms. There is also The Bunkhouse with 5 rooms, 4 beds to a room which are bunk beds.
Participants are asked to pre-register with Linda or Fiona at least 7 days prior to the workshop for either housing or commuter status.
Meals
Without a doubt, the most memorable experience at the Ecology Retreat Centre is the incredible food. Fresh, wholesome ingredients help the kitchen to make home-style meals so good you’ll wish you could them have at home! They specialize in vegetarian cuisine but they are not limited to it. They also cater to “special diet” requests and diet restrictions. Guests also have access to high-speed internet through a Wi-Fi connection in the Dining Hall.
Transportation to The Ecology Retreat Centre
By Plane
Toronto International Airport:
- There are constant Taxi’s at the airport. It is suggested that you copy the driving instructions to give the cab driver to travel to 308046 Hockley Road, Orangeville, Ontario. The cost one way is a flat rate with the taxi services that are at the airport and it is approximately $80 CAD, tips extra.
- For your return to the airport you can either arrange through Orangeville Taxi Service at 519-941-8000 (approximate cost is $95 to $100 CAD) or there are two services to call to pre-arrange (approximate cost is $80 to $86 CAD): Aeroport Services at 416-255-2211 or Air flight Services at 1-800-268-6843 or (416-445-1999).
Shuttle information from Toronto International Airport to Orangeville area:
Participants can arrange shuttle service from Toronto International Airport with Grey Bruce Airbus Transportation. This shuttle will get you to a place called the Hockley Valley Resort which is not where you are staying. You would then be required to obtain a taxi from Hockley Valley Resort to the Ecology Retreat Centre. The Grey Bruce Airbus Transportation can be contacted at 1-800-361-0393 or 1-519-389-4433. Their website is www.greybruceairbus.com. The contact information for the taxi service in the Orangeville is 519-941-8000. The cost of a taxi is approximately $30.
Grey Bruce Airbus Transportation uses 10 passenger vans. Important: Please pre-register as there are other people who use the service to get to the Orangeville area. The cost is $88 CAD for a round trip and $49 CAD for one way. The van picks up at Toronto Airport 4 times a day, at 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 6p.m. and 11 p.m. and the drive is 45 minutes to an hour. The return times for pick up to the airport are 3:15 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 3:15 p.m. and 6:40 p.m. Remember you will require a taxi from their drop off zone and the number of taxi is above.
By Car – Driving Instructions:
Directions from Toronto: Scenic Route
From Hwy 401 go north on Hwy 427 to Hwy 7.
Go West (left) on Hwy 7 to Gore Road about 2 stop lights.
Go North (right) on Gore Road until it ends on Hwy 9.
Go West (Left) on Hwy 9 to Airport Road (at the town of Mono Mills).
Go north (right) 7km on Airport Road.
Turn Left onto Dufferin Rd 7 (aka County Road 7 or Hockley Road) at the amber flashing light.
Drive 2.5 km to the ERC sign and turn left up the driveway.
Park at the first building on your right.
Alternate directions from Toronto: Easiest/Most Direct Route
From Hwy 401 go North on Hwy 400.
From Hwy 400 exit onto Hwy 9 (to Orangeville).
Drive West on Hwy 9 for 32 km to Airport Rd (at Mono Mills).
Turn right onto Airport Roadand continue north 7km.
Turn Left onto Dufferin Rd 7 (aka County Road 7 or Hockley Road) at the amber flashing light.
Drive 2.5 km to the ERC sign and turn left up the driveway.
Park at the first building on your right.
Directions from the North:
From Hwy 400 south exit onto Hwy 9 (to Orangeville).
Drive West on Hwy 9 for 32 km to Airport Rd (at Mono Mills).
Turn right onto Airport Road and continue north 7km.
Turn Left onto Dufferin Rd 7 (aka County Road 7 or Hockley Road) at the amber flashing light.
Drive 2.5 km to the ERC sign and turn left up the driveway.
Park at the first building on your right.
Directions from the West:
From highway 24, go north on Hwy 10.
Continue north past Orangeville (past car dealerships) to Hockley Rd
Turn right onto Hockley Road (aka Dufferin Rd 7) at traffic light– the road soon will veer to the left at the 70 km/h zone.
Drive 7-8 km to the ERC sign.
Turn right and drive up the driveway.
Park at the first building on your right.
Alternate directions from the West:
From Hwy 401 exit onto Hwy 410 North.
Go North on Hwy 410, it will become Heart Lake Road.
Continue North on Heart Lake Road all the way until it ends at Hwy 9.
Go East (right) on Hwy 9 about 1 Km to 3rd Line Mono.
Turn South (left) onto 3rd Line Mono and go all the way until it ends.
Turn East (Right) onto Hockley Valley Road and drive 2 km to the ERC sign.
Turn right and drive up the driveway.
Park at the First building on your right.
