Ryan Carters has always marched to a different beat than most professional athletes.

So it was fitting that he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket from high in the mountains in Bali despite being just 26 years old.

The former Wests-UC star, Sheffield Shield champion and one-day domestic competition winner said it was time to walk away from the game after almost a decade chasing his cricket dreams.

Instead of honing his craft on the field, Carters will focus on his degree in philosophy, politics and economics at Sydney University.

He will also continue working for his "Batting for Change" charity, which creates educational opportunities for disadvantaged women in cricket playing nations.

The charity, which raised more than $150,000 during the Big Bash League season last year, was a sign of Carters' passion away from cricket.

While some of his teammates were taking holidays, Carters was buying a canoe and paddling on a three-week, 1000 kilometre journey from Mongolia to Russia's Siberian border.

Deep down he knew he wouldn't be playing cricket well into his 30s. And when he went to Penestanan with fiancee Sarah, it hit him that it was time to retire.

"I've always had multiple interests away from the game and I feel like I've given cricket my all," Carters said from Bali.

"When I sat down to think about where I am in my life, it became clear I wanted to concentrate on interests and ambitions outside of cricket.

"It's about seeing what else is out there. In the long term I'd love a career where I can make a difference in the community and the path for that is further education."

Carters' announcement came as a shock to the cricket community, especially given he was rated as a star on the rise capable of being a NSW mainstay and potential Australian player.

He started his career at the Victorian Bushrangers before linking with NSW and joining the Sydney Sixers.

He was the NSW Sheffield Shield player of the year in 2013-14 and the one-day player of the year in 2014-15, finishing his career with five first-class centuries and a top score of 209.

However, there was always something away from cricket that piqued his interest. Carters finished his school days at Radford College as dux of his class and University Admissions Index score of 99.95.

The thought of cricket retirement to focus on other passions had been nagging at the back of his mind since scoring a match-winning and unbeaten century for Sydney University in the grand final.

"I probably had a suspicion that I wouldn't play cricket into my 30s. I haven't treated cricket as something you sign up to forever," Carters said.

"I signed up to continue it for as long as it felt right in my heart as my No. 1 priority. That's what's changed for me in recent times.

"I don't think it matters how old you are. When you think the time is right, the time is right. I've always tried to have a balance of things I was passionate about.

"It's not about not wanting to play cricket anymore. It's about being really excited to pursue other opportunities.

"It feels as though I've devoted enough of my time to cricket. I feel really lucky to be able to make this decision and I realise how fortunate I was to be paid to play professional cricket.

"I feel like I'm choosing the right option for me at this time."

The cricket field has been his home since leaving Canberra to pursue his career ambitions.

But he feels at home in nature, soaking up his surroundings and planning ways to help others.

So far his Batting for Change charity, in conjunction with the LBW Trust, has raised money to help more than 600 disadvantaged women in India, Sri Lanka and Kenya.

"I really love being in the natural world, I feel like we can all benefit from being connected to do. I certainly feel centred and a good version of myself when I'm in nature," Carters said.

"It just so happens that I'm here in the mountains in Penestanan where I made this decision to retire 100 per cent in my mind. It's been weighing on me for a while."

Cricket NSW boss Andrew Jones said: "Ryan's retirement comes as a shock at the age of just 26 but he has always had a strong view about life beyond cricket.

"His achievements with Batting For Change have been stunning and have made a genuine and lasting difference to hundreds of women far less fortunate than any of us."

Carters is content with his decision and ready to move on to the next phase of his life.

"I'll really miss the friendships. But I'll also miss the simple thrill of picking up a bat and hitting a cricket ball," Carters said.

"But this is the right time for me."