Five of Australia’s most luxurious wellness retreats

Whether you’re after some decadence while you destress or want a side of nurture with your dose of nature, prepare to be pampered as you recharge your energy levels in style at these stunning luxury wellness retreats across the country.

This slick retreat looking out over the Byron Bay hinterland to the Pacific Ocean is probably the best known wellness centre in the country, with Olivia Newton-John as one of its co-founders and a swag of awards under its belt. With luxe rooms set in a riot of lush vegetation, a serene day spa, a yoga studio with sweeping views, bespoke treatments individually tailored to your needs and all-inclusive organic fare, it’s easy to see the appeal.

Gaia’s wellness offering ranges from a two-night Revive package through to a seven-night Restore package, which includes a massage, body polish, foot ritual and your choice of a naturopathic assessment or an acupuncture treatment.

If Soma, a serene retreat around a 10-minute drive from Byron Bay, looks familiar, that’s because it was one of the locations for the recent hit TV show Nine Perfect Strangers, starring Nicole Kidman. Come here for re-energising three-day Vedic meditation retreats, which are led by meditation guru Gary Gorrow and feature ultra-healthy Ayurvedic meals, a daily yoga practice and free run of the gorgeous Soma property. Gary, who’s also an Ayurvedic health coach and mindfulness expert, will show you how to destress and reduce anxiety through mindfulness. Expect to experience a boost in energy, concentration and creativity.

Set on a plateau in the lush Tallebudgera Valley, around a 30-minute drive from Gold Coast Airport, Gwinganna is designed to inspire you to live a healthier life. While the retreat offers weekend wellness programs, stay longer to immerse yourself in the surrounding rainforest and get the most out of your time here. There are yoga sessions at the Mind Body Pavilion, an expanse of reclaimed timber, or a dedicated Iyengar yoga studio, indulgent treatments at the extensive Spa Sanctuary, and delicious organic fare. Check into a Meditation Suite and you can strike a yoga pose and meditate in your light-filled open space before soaking in a freestanding bathtub.

With serene gardens ringed with Japanese maples, luxe suites and an emphasis on holistic treatments, Samadhi Retreat is a haven of healing in the spa town of Daylesford, around a 90-minute drive from Melbourne in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges. Book into one of Samadhi’s Eastern-influenced rooms in the Pearl Wing or the more contemporary designer suites in the Gold Wing. Then prepare to immerse yourself in one of the signature programs, such as the Nurture Retreat, which features pranic breathing exercises, a Heart Healing meditation session and a relaxation massage. Other wellness offerings at this Zen resort include a Transformation Retreat, with transformation therapy and meditation sessions, and an Energise Retreat, which guides you through Qigong meditation.

Eden is one of Australia’s longest running luxury retreats, and it sets out to rejuvenate, refresh and renew. Even before you arrive, you’ll be asked to set goals, and the retreat is alcohol and caffeine free. Its lodges and luxury suites are large and beautifully furnished. They nestle into the Gold Coast hinterland, part of Eden’s philosophy of “Connect to Country, Align to Purpose, Respect the Ritual, and Engineer the Experience”. You won’t be lacking things to do, with thrilling adventures bushwalking through the rainforest to immersive relaxation with meditation, yoga, pilates and qigong. Don’t miss Club Mud – a cooling bath designed to absorb toxins and soften your skin. Mealtimes are about nutritious foods which help restore your body from the inside out. Many come back to Eden again and again and credit the experience with changing their lives and outlook forever.