Five ways to fill your cup in Victoria

Rambling around rock pools. Watching clouds drift across the sky. A game of bocce on the lawn, or a session stretching it out on a yoga mat. All of these things might be on your itinerary when you check in at Lon Retreat & Spa on the Bellarine Peninsula – except at Lon Retreat, there is no such thing as an itinerary. This intimate adults-only retreat is all about easing off the accelerator, releasing the pressure and discovering the delight of doing not very much, not very fast. If you need to kickstart the process, a session in Lon Spa – perhaps a soak in a tub of natural mineral water, followed by a tension-dissolving massage – will do the trick.

Soak up some forest bathing

There really is something in the air. It’s no secret that you always feel better after a walk through the woods, and now we know why. It is thanks to antimicrobial organic compounds emanating from the trees that boost our immune systems. For a wider range of benefits – including more energy and a deeper sense of happiness – turn your walk into a forest bathing experience. Forest bathing is less about covering territory, more about slowing down to appreciate the sights and sounds around you. In My Nature offers forest bathing experiences in a range of destinations including Mount Macedon.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to just be. At Kailash Ashram in the Wartook Valley near Halls Gap, they have been showing the way for years with their three-night yoga and meditation retreats. If that feels like too much of a commitment, check out their full moon event. Held on the night of the full moon, the evening includes a hatha yoga class in the yurt, followed by a sound meditation session. The evening finishes with a vegetarian supper in front of the fire. You can then head home or extend the experience by spending the night in the ashram.

Some places have a magical feel about them, a sense of serenity that seems to emanate from the stones and soil. Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park is one of them. Although it is just 30 minutes from the Melbourne CBD, here you will feel removed from the hurry and hustle. The relaxation is dialed up at the hotel spa, where a traditional hammam room offers top-to-toe rejuvenation. The full treatment starts with a sugar scrub exfoliation and cleansing body mud, followed by steam therapy, a massage and facial. Expect to feel reborn.

What is the best way to give yourself a reset? Is it an energising tai chi session or a restorative yoga class? A walk that lets you appreciate the natural wonders around you, or a visit to an art gallery to inspire your creative side? The answer, of course, is ‘all of the above’ – which is why a two- or three-day wellness escape with Revitalise Escapes is a sure-fire way to recharge your batteries. With an extensive array of relaxation activities to choose from, this short break will make a big difference.

 
Image credits: Visit Victoria, Lon Retreat, Revitalise Escapes