Thursday 11th – Sunday 14th September 2025
The Tops Conference Centre
Stanwell Tops, NSW
$450 Early Bird before 12th May
(then additional $50)
Discounts for those travelling from WA, NZ, or staying offsite.
Questions? Read our FAQs
Participants at LeadersToGo retreats have consistently affirmed the value of being able to explore current ministry themes with fellow leaders from across Australia and NZ.
More details will become available on this page throughout the early months of 2025, including details about our ‘Listening’ theme, more specific workshop areas and other features of the program and timetable. Please contact us at hello@leaderstogo.org.au with any questions or to be added to our mailing list for updates.
What to Expect
- Great company, accommodation and food
- Input from seasoned practitioners
- Peer-learning and resource sharing
- Beautiful scenery and a chance to retreat, reflect and refresh
- Start with Thursday lunch – End with Sunday lunch
- Key sessions all together
- Break outs and workshops around specific topics
- Opportunities to connect and network with peers from across Australia & New Zealand
Venue and Accommodation
The Tops is located 40km south of SYD airport, situated in prime bushland above the New South Wales coastline. Visit thetops.com.au for more details about the location.
Most delegates will travel from the airport by train to Helensburgh station. L2g will arrange a shuttle from there to The Tops.
Every L2g registration includes a room within the ‘Acacia’ block, shared with 3 – 4 others. Rooms have ensuite bathrooms, linen provided, and are air conditioned.
Day Attendance
If you prefer to stay off site, a day attendance registration is available at a reduced price. You are encouraged to attend the conference from lunchtime Thursday until lunchtime Sunday and the price includes lunch and dinner each day (apart from dinner Sunday).
Pricing for WA and NZ
Recognising the greatly increased cost of flights at present, we have arranged to subsidise registration costs by $100 for those coming the furthest. Anyone in the western half of Australia, or coming across the ditch from New Zealand, can select the $100 discount when registering. (The NZ subsidy also roughly takes into account the difference between AUD and NZD). It doesn’t cover all your increased cost but we hope it will help you fully lean into this unique, in-person event.
Inviting Others
We’d love your help in promoting L2g in your networks and with your colleagues. Please make use of these digital images in sharing the word: postcard/Facebook, Instagram, A5 Flyer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Please contact us if you have questions not addressed here.
Why is L2g being held from Thursday to Sunday?
How am I meant to attend a ministry conference on a Sunday/Saturday when I’m expected to serve in my church?
Leaders to go is a conference for leaders who oversee teams in ministry with children and families. These key leaders are invited to attend L2g to hear the latest thinking, explore current topics, share with the expertise in the room, and to come alongside each other in prayer and encouragement.
The conference will be held from a Thursday to Sunday, rather than the the ‘old’ Tuesday to Friday. The L2g organising team made this decision a few years ago as we had become aware that some people in key ministry roles have other work commitments, often paid, that makes it difficult to take a whole week off for a ministry based conference.
We hope that by holding the L2g conference from a Thursday to Sunday it will encourage and enable those who are only employed part-time or who serve in an unpaid capacity in church-based ministry and perhaps have other work commitments to attend the conference and to engage in this leadership ministry development opportunity.
We acknowledge that many church and ministry roles are centred around gathered worship services, often on Sunday mornings. To attend the L2g conference this will mean children and families ministry leaders won’t be at church on that Sunday (or Saturday) or at other ministry programs like Friday kids clubs or mid-week playgroups. We would encourage you to have conversations with your church leadership teams where you serve to discuss how L2g is for your professional development. It is an opportunity for you to network with other colleagues, to sharpen your skills and to grow in your thinking and understandings in best practice in children and families ministry.
By taking one Sunday off it is giving you an opportunity to become a better leader, and that will have a flow on effect to hopefully mean a healthier ministry in your local context. We also hope that some of the things you learn and engage in at L2g you will be able to bring back and work through with the teams that you serve with locally.
Our hope is that churches would show that they value leaders in ministry with children and families by supporting them financially and releasing them from ministry to attend the L2g conference so they can be present and engage in this space with other colleagues in this area of ministry.
The Leaders to go national team are open to hearing feedback about whether this timing is helpful and how we can also support you to attend the conference, this time around and in future years too.
Is there a day attendance cost?
Yes, if you prefer to stay offsite, your registration rate is reduced. You’ll find this option in the registration form. You are encouraged to attend the conference from lunchtime Thursday until lunchtime Sunday and the price includes lunch and dinner each day (apart from dinner Sunday).
Is there a part-time option?
TBA. The planning team feels that to get the most out of the conference, and to not disrupt the sense of community building, attending for the entire program is best. However, we may create a single day event especially for NSW residents.
What are the accommodation rooms on offer?
See accommodation information above. Please contact us if you have any special requests around rooms, facilities, sharing, etc.
What is the Ideas Marketplace?
In the spirit of L2g, where everyone has wisdom to share, we’ll come together to share, listen, dialogue and sharpen our practice and our tools for ministry in our Ideas Marketplace!
You’re invited to come along with an idea, a question, a resource, a can of worms, or simply with an open mind ready to listen and confabulate with others. Those who come with an idea/resource will share this with everyone for (up to) 1 minute, then everyone can choose which of the ideas/resources they would like to engage with, for up to 15 minutes. You vote with your feet and join the conversations as you wish.
Examples of topics could include:
- A helpful resource for exploring XYZ with families
- What have you learned so far about mission during/post COVID?
- 5 top tips to encourage and engage your volunteers
- A new initiative you to partner with others to help get off the ground
- What’s the state of mental health in our children?
- Leading ‘up’ with denominational leaders
- etc…
How do I get from the airport to The Tops conference centre?
Check out the Transport NSW Trip Planner for details. You’ll want to start at the Sydney Domestic or International Airport Station, change trains at Wolli Creek (a great place for a coffee or snack if you’ve got time), then head down the Kiama line to Helensburgh station. From there it’s a 10 minute drive, which we’ll try to coordinate via a regular shuttle.
How do I make sure I arrive on time?
If coming into SYD airport and catching a train, you’ll want to arrive at the airport around 10-11am. Enjoy an early morning coffee before boarding your flight from home!
When can I leave?
We finish with lunch on Sunday. After the trip to the station and then two trains, you should be able to arrive at SYD airport around 3pm.
What do I need to bring?
- Clothing ready for four days on the NSW south coast
- Toiletries
- A device ideally with QR code reader (e.g. phone)
- A way of taking notes
- Walking shoes, if you want to explore the bushlands
- A power-board (to help facilitate calm and friendly access to device charging in your shared rooms)
- No need to bring linen – bed sheets, pillow case and towel are all provided
Cancellation Policy
For a cancellation before the Early Bird period ends (12th May), a full refund is available.
Between 13th May and 30th August, we may be able to make a partial or full refund but this is dependent on the conference exceeding our minimum numbers and a financial commitment to the venue.
From the 1st of September, no refunds are available – however you might be able to find someone to come on your behalf (we don’t mind changing the name on a registration).
Surprises happen. Life happens. Please let us know your circumstances and we’ll do what we can to help.
