What’s on in wellness this May

Sweet Retreat is a transformative three-day women’s retreat at Sugar Beach Ranch, near Ballina in NSW, where equine wellness meets coastal ease.

In collaboration with Maxime Willems Therapy & Training, this immersive experience blends gentle horse-human connection with mindful practices designed to calm the nervous system and restore balance. Days unfold with optional yoga, meditation, breathwork and creative rituals, while private bush trails and nearby South Ballina Beach invite quiet reflection.

Evenings bring nourishing, chef-prepared meals and shared connection. Stay in luxury glamping tents, falling asleep to ocean sounds, and embrace a slower pace through art therapy, symbolic rituals and digital detox moments that support deep rest, reconnection and personal renewal.

The three-day Replenish Wellbeing Retreat is set along an iconic coastline at the Great Ocean Road Resort in Victoria and offers a gentle reset for mind and body.

Guests will be expertly guided through a balanced rhythm of movement, stillness and reflection, with yoga, meditation and sound healing complemented by coastal walks and time to simply be. Thoughtfully designed workshops provide practical tools to ease stress and build emotional resilience, while nourishing meals and access to spa and wellness facilities support full-body renewal.

With space for solitude and connection, this immersive retreat invites you to slow your pace, clear mental clutter and return home feeling grounded, uplifted and quietly re-energised.

Slow down and reconnect with nature at Botanicah in Melbourne during this beginner-friendly bonsai workshop.

Guided by experts from Bonsai Sensation Nursery, this intimate 90-minute session introduces the mindful art of shaping and caring for miniature trees. You’ll learn essential techniques - from selecting the right plant and pot to wiring, pruning and repotting - while creating your own bonsai to take home.

Designed as a calm, hands-on experience, the class encourages presence, patience and creativity in a relaxed, social setting. With tools provided and the option to bring along your own refreshments, it’s a grounding, tactile escape that offers both a new skill and a lasting connection to nature.

Craving a mid-year reset? The four-day ‘Breath of Life’ retreat at Billabong Retreat in Sydney offers a deeply grounding escape.

Led by breathwork practitioner Mark Moon, Founder of The X Breath, the experience gently guides you back to yourself through conscious breathwork, movement and meditation. Days unfold at an easy pace, blending group and paired sessions with yoga and somatic practices designed to release tension and restore balance.

With nourishing meals, quiet bushland surrounds and space to reflect, it’s as restorative as it is insightful. Whether you’re new to breathwork or looking to deepen your practice, you’ll leave feeling clearer, calmer and more connected.

This immersive long-table lunch at Moonacres School in Robertson, NSW, brings together food, story and season in a truly meaningful way.

As part of the Four Chefs, Four Seasons, One Table series, guest chef Mindy Woods of Karkalla shares a deeply personal approach to cooking - one grounded in culture, connection and Country. Joined by Luke Mangan and Moonacres founder Phil Lavers, the experience unfolds through a thoughtful multi-course menu celebrating local produce at its peak.

Expect rich conversation, beautiful wine pairings and a deeper understanding of the journey from soil to plate - all shared around one generous table.