Odyssey House NSW

Odyssey House NSW Trauma-informed alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs, education and support in New South Wales. He opened Odyssey House in Sydney on 30 October 1977.

Odyssey House in New South Wales was founded in 1977 by Sydney businessman, Walter McGrath, following the death of his son from a heroin overdose. As a testament to his son, Mr McGrath committed himself to finding a program to help other people who suffered from problems with drug dependence. Mr McGrath brought the Odyssey House concept of long term residential rehabilitation from the United States of America to Australia. From humble beginnings, the program has expanded to be one of the largest and most successful alcohol and other drug rehabilitation services in Australia. More than 35,000 people have been assisted over the past 40 years. Today, Odyssey House provides a diverse range of services from The Withdrawal Unit, Parents and Children’s Program, MERIT (Magistrates Early Referrals Into Treatment program), residential rehabilitation, numeracy and literacy education and community based services. Odyssey House aims to build safe and healthy communities by minimising the harmful effects of alcohol and other drugs on the person’s health and by extension our society. We have a holistic treatment model that focuses on the person and helping them develop skills to cope with the underlying reasons they resorted to alcohol and other drug use. This often involves changing the habits of a lifetime and teaching self –awareness, responsibility, self-care to practical skills that have been missed due to addiction such as numeracy and literacy, life skills such as cooking and eating healthy food, budgeting and parenting. Odyssey House complements the direction of the National Drug Strategy (NDS) and aligns with the health and community goals of the NSW Government’s NSW 2021 plan. The organisation is closely linked to the Network of Alcohol and Other Drugs Agencies (NADA), and the Australian Therapeutic Communities Association (ATCA).

Secure your Early Bird Tickets for the 2026 Odyssey Women’s Lunch. Join us on Thursday 21st May 2026 at the Sheraton Gra...
26/02/2026

Secure your Early Bird Tickets for the 2026 Odyssey Women’s Lunch.

Join us on Thursday 21st May 2026 at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park for an inspiring afternoon of conversation, connection and impact.

Now in its 15th year, the Odyssey Women’s Lunch brings together our community to raise vital funds for women and families accessing treatment for alcohol and other drug dependence through our Reconnecting Families Program.

Early bird tickets end next week. Don’t miss your opportunity to book at the reduced rate.

Book now - https://bit.ly/40vBlIg

🌈 New LGBTQ+ SMART Recovery Australia Group🌈 Facilitated by Bruce from Odyssey House NSW and ACON team members! Looking ...
23/02/2026

🌈 New LGBTQ+ SMART Recovery Australia Group🌈

Facilitated by Bruce from Odyssey House NSW and ACON team members!

Looking for support around substance use in a space where you can just be yourself?

We’re launching a new LGBTQ+ SMART Recovery group in Surry Hills - a welcoming, judgement-free space to connect, learn practical tools and take positive steps at your own pace.

Across 1.5-hour weekly sessions, we’ll explore:
✨ Building and maintaining motivation
✨ Coping with urges and cravings
✨ Managing thoughts, feelings and behaviours
✨ Finding a healthier life balance

Facilitated by clinicians and peers who are members of, or allied with, the LGBTQ+ community, this group is all about practical strategies, shared experiences and real conversations.

📍 ACON, 414 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills
🗓 Every Tuesday from 3 March 2026
⏰ 5.30pm – 7pm

Open to all LGBTQ+ and LGBTQ+SB community members who want practical support to make lasting change.

Come as you are. Change is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone. 💛

To register, click here - https://bit.ly/4rP4f1G

To find out more, call 1800 397 739 (option 2) or email csces@odysseyhouse.com.au

Gail Easton, NSW CDAT Program Manager, recently met with Charishma Kaliyanda MP to discuss the evolving alcohol and oth...
16/02/2026

Gail Easton, NSW CDAT Program Manager, recently met with Charishma Kaliyanda MP to discuss the evolving alcohol and other drug landscape in Liverpool and the importance of community-led responses.

The discussion centred on emerging local challenges, harm reduction strategies, and practical ways to strengthen collaboration between government and community services. We explored how local insight, lived experience, and coordinated action can better inform policy settings and service delivery across the region.

Importantly, many of the issues raised reflect priorities already identified by Liverpool CDAT, reinforcing the value of shared leadership and aligned action.

We look forward to continuing this collaboration to reduce stigma, minimise harm, and support healthier, more connected communities across Liverpool.

We loved being part of Sydney Gay and Le***an Mardi Gras Fair Day yesterday 🌈 It was such a great day connecting with co...
16/02/2026

We loved being part of Sydney Gay and Le***an Mardi Gras Fair Day yesterday 🌈

It was such a great day connecting with community, sharing what we do, and having lots of meaningful conversations about support for individuals and families impacted by alcohol and other drug use.

Clients from the residential Rainbow Group joined us and had a fantastic time exploring the festival together.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by for a chat, spun the wheel, or grabbed some resources ❤️🧡💛💚💙

The Odyssey team will be at Sydney Gay and Le***an Mardi Gras Fair Day this Sunday in Victoria Park! 🌈 Fair Day is Sydne...
13/02/2026

The Odyssey team will be at Sydney Gay and Le***an Mardi Gras Fair Day this Sunday in Victoria Park! 🌈

Fair Day is Sydney’s largest LGBTQIA+ community gathering and is a fun day out for the whole family!

Come past our stall (Zone 9!) to say hello, spin the wheel and grab some rainbow goodies!

We would love to see you there! ❤️🧡💛💚💙

01/02/2026

When someone you love is struggling with alcohol or other drug dependence, it can feel overwhelming.

People supporting a partner, family member or friend are often the last to reach out for help, even though they’re carrying a huge emotional load.

Our Family and Friends Program offers free individual counselling and group support for people supporting a loved one affected by alcohol and other drug dependence. The program provides a safe, non-judgmental space to build understanding, learn practical strategies, and focus on your own wellbeing alongside your loved one’s recovery.

Find out more - https://bit.ly/4qhGXR1

28/01/2026

🎉 Announcing the 2026 Odyssey Women’s Lunch

We are excited to share the details for the 2026 event:

📅 Date: Thursday 21st May 2026
📍 Venue: Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park

Join us for an inspiring afternoon in support of Odyssey’s Reconnecting Families Programs, helping rebuild connections and strengthen families on the journey of recovery.

The event will feature a dynamic panel of motivating speakers, including a graduate of Odyssey’s life-changing programs, making for an uplifting and empowering afternoon.

✨ Early bird tickets are now available at a special rate! Secure your place today and be part of a truly memorable event - https://bit.ly/4rkpUyy

Check out the highlights from last year’s Odyssey Women’s Lunch for a glimpse of what’s to come.

The team had a deadly time at Monday’s Yabun Festival 🖤💛❤️ Yabun was great to connect with community members and yarn ab...
28/01/2026

The team had a deadly time at Monday’s Yabun Festival 🖤💛❤️

Yabun was great to connect with community members and yarn about our Mingu Yabun program. We were also lucky enough to watch some incredible cultural dance and music performances.

Clients from our residential rehabilitation centres also enjoyed exploring the festival and connecting with Culture.

Thanks to everyone involved for another special event, to our stall neighbours (Sydney Fringe and NSW Treaty Commission) and to everyone who took the time to stop by for a conversation 🖤💛❤️

Find out more about our Mingu Yabun program here - https://bit.ly/49ZMfdw

Come and have a yarn with us at Yabun Festival🖤💛❤️ We are proud to be returning to Yabun this year, the largest communit...
23/01/2026

Come and have a yarn with us at Yabun Festival🖤💛❤️

We are proud to be returning to Yabun this year, the largest community-led celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture gathering of all mobs in Australia.

Yabun celebrates the world’s oldest living culture, with a strong focus on truth-telling, cultural expression, and community connection.

Visit our stall to meet the team, learn more about our free alcohol and other drug community programs including the Mingu Yabun program, a culturally safe program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and get involved in some fun activities for a chance to pick up some merch.

We would love to see you there 🖤💛❤️

Vale Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO The Odyssey community honours the life and legacy of Dame Marie B...
22/01/2026

Vale Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO

The Odyssey community honours the life and legacy of Dame Marie Bashir, an extraordinary Australian and a deeply respected Patron of Odyssey House NSW during her years as Governor of NSW.

Dame Marie was a tireless advocate for mental health, equity and social justice, dedicating her life to improving outcomes for people experiencing disadvantage, stigma and exclusion. Her leadership reflected a deep belief that access to care, dignity and opportunity should never depend on circumstance, a principle that strongly aligns with Odyssey’s purpose to build safe and healthy communities.

As a clinician, educator and public leader, Dame Marie championed compassionate, evidence-based responses to complex health and social challenges, and consistently amplified the voices of those too often unheard.

She believed deeply in the capacity of people to recover, learn and thrive when given the right support. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Dame Marie’s family and friends and are grateful for her enduring commitment to health and wellbeing.

Dame Marie’s legacy will continue to inspire our work and the many lives she touched.

It was a privilege to welcome NSW Treasurer, The Hon. Daniel Mookhey MLC and Chris Keyes, Acting CEO at NADA (Network of...
15/01/2026

It was a privilege to welcome NSW Treasurer, The Hon. Daniel Mookhey MLC and Chris Keyes, Acting CEO at NADA (Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies) to Odyssey House NSW’s Eagle Vale Residential Rehabilitation Centre.

Visits like this matter.

They bring policy and sector leadership into real places - where people are doing the hard work of recovery every day, supported by skilled staff, evidence-based programs, and a community that believes change is possible.

During the visit, Treasurer Mookhey spent time with residents and staff and met with Odyssey CEO Carmel Tebbutt and NADA Acting CEO Chris Keyes to discuss the challenges facing the Alcohol and Other Drugs sector.

Long-term recovery is achievable when services and communities are supported to respond early and well.

Thank you for taking the time to listen, engage, and see the work firsthand.

As we start the new year, the demand for Odyssey’s services remains high. January can be one of the hardest times for pe...
13/01/2026

As we start the new year, the demand for Odyssey’s services remains high. January can be one of the hardest times for people in recovery or those considering reaching out; routines fall away, pressures resurface, and support can feel further out of reach.

Thanks to the generosity of our community over the holidays, we have raised $66,942 to help families like Rebecca and Greg’s overcome alcohol and other drug dependencies.

Because of this support, more individuals and families will be able to access treatment, rebuild relationships, and take important steps towards recovery.

There’s still time to show your support and make a donation to help us reach $70,000 for our Christmas appeal! 💙 If you’re able, a donation today will help us continue providing life-changing support to families across NSW - https://bit.ly/3Z8Wk2T

Address

Ground Floor 2/199 Regent Street Redfern
Sydney, NSW
2016

Telephone

1800 397 739

Website

https://give.odysseyhouse.com.au/

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Our Story

Odyssey House in New South Wales was founded in 1977 by Sydney businessman, Walter McGrath, following the death of his son from a he**in overdose. As a testament to his son, Mr McGrath committed himself to finding a program to help other people who suffered from problems with drug dependence. Mr McGrath brought the Odyssey House concept of long term residential rehabilitation from the United States of America to Australia. He opened Odyssey House in Sydney on 30 October 1977. From humble beginnings, the program has expanded to be one of the largest and most successful alcohol and other drug rehabilitation services in Australia. More than 35,000 people have been assisted over the past 40 years. Today, Odyssey House provides a diverse range of services from The Withdrawal Unit, Parents and Children’s Program, MERIT (Magistrates Early Referrals Into Treatment program), residential rehabilitation, numeracy and literacy education and community based services. Odyssey House aims to build safe and healthy communities by minimising the harmful effects of alcohol and other drugs on the person’s health and by extension our society. We have a holistic treatment model that focuses on the person and helping them develop skills to cope with the underlying reasons they resorted to alcohol and other drug use. This often involves changing the habits of a lifetime and teaching self –awareness, responsibility, self-care to practical skills that have been missed due to addiction such as numeracy and literacy, life skills such as cooking and eating healthy food, budgeting and parenting. Odyssey House complements the direction of the National Drug Strategy (NDS) and aligns with the health and community goals of the NSW Government’s NSW 2021 plan. The organisation is closely linked to the Network of Alcohol and Other Drugs Agencies (NADA), and the Australian Therapeutic Communities Association (ATCA).