Australia crowned number 1 wellness destination

In 2025, wellness travellers are seeking immersion, not just indulgence. According to the GWI’s just-released global survey, the biggest trends shaping wellness holidays over the next 12 months are:

• Bathing rituals – from wild swimming and hot springs to cold plunges and ice baths
• Nature-based activities – bushwalking, forest bathing, waterfall chasing
• Wellness tech – apps, wearables and sleep trackers
• Spa rituals – traditional and modern, holistic or high-tech
• Nutrition and food experiences – paddock-to-plate, cooking classes, gut-health retreats
• Mindfulness and meditation practices

Other contenders gaining ground include animal-assisted wellness and breathwork, while broader themes like sleep optimisation, gut health and holistic fitness continue to trend upward.

We’re built for this. Australia’s natural landscapes are a wellness playground – from mineral-rich hot springs and ancient rainforest trails to barefoot beach walks, vineyard spa stays and glamping under the stars. Our slow-food culture, connection to Country, and growing number of thoughtfully designed wellness retreats make it easy to tap into the trends without leaving the country.

Whether you’re immersing in a cold plunge at a mountain eco-lodge, joining a forest meditation circle, or sinking into an outdoor bath as kookaburras call from the gum trees – this is wellness, Australian-style.

You can explore it all right here on Well Traveller - you'll find retreats, spas and bathing, yoga and other practices, luxe stays, nature, mindfulness, food and farms, indigenous wisdom and farmers markets.

While the average national wellbeing score has slipped to 6.5 out of 10 (down from 6.7 in 2022), Australians aren’t waiting around for things to improve on their own. One in two respondents plan to take a holiday with a wellness component in the next 12 months – and they’re clear about why:

• To destress and relax
• To reset and kickstart their wellbeing
• To support their mental health.

But for many, a proper break feels out of reach. One in four Aussies haven’t even had a three-day holiday in over a year. The good news? Wellness travel doesn’t have to mean a two-week retreat. Sometimes, a long weekend in the right environment – surrounded by trees, soaking in springs, breathing deeply – is all it takes to feel like yourself again.

If you need some ideas for where to go and what to do, this week marks the return of Well Traveller TV, hosted by surfing legend Layne Beachley, with eight new episodes that spotlight some of New South Wales’ most inspiring wellness stories.

From foraging for Indigenous ingredients in Byron Bay to kayaking the serene waterways of Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp near Mudgee and exploring 500 acres of regenerative farmland in Coffs Harbour, the series features everyday Australians alongside well-known guests like Turia Pitt, Barry Du Bois, Lisa Messenger, Dr Stacy Sims and Shelly Horton.

And yes, there’s a giveaway.

To celebrate the launch of Season Two, Well Traveller is giving away more than $30,000 in wellness holidays. So, whether you’re dreaming of glamping escapes, bathhouse weekends, luxury stays in NSW or simply a quiet spot to breathe deeper, this might just be the nudge you’ve been waiting for. Enter here!

At a time when 1 in 4 Australians haven’t taken a three-day break in over a year – and wellbeing scores are slipping – this research and series are timely reminders that you don’t need a passport or plane ticket to feel better. Often, the most transformative places aren’t halfway across the world.

For the best wellness experiences in NSW, discover them on Well Traveller here, and with thanks to our valued partner Destination NSW you might like to check out Visit NSW for other holiday ideas.