8 Wellness experiences that will make you forget your phone

Spending time in nature truly is medicine for the soul, and a forest bathing session offers a beautiful opportunity to slow down and reconnect with the natural world.

Inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, forest bathing is less about walking and more about immersing yourself in the sights, sounds, scents and textures of the forest. Without the distraction of a screen, you’re invited to breathe deeply, quieten the mind and simply be present among the trees.

We love:

Big Heart Adventures - Forest bathing in Adelaide’s Himeji Japanese Gardens and the Adelaide Hills, South Australia.

Forest Minds - beautiful Forest bathing sessions in Sydney and the Blue Mountains, NSW

Forest Bathing Hawai‘i - try Forest bathing in Oahu, Hawai‘i.

There’s something deeply restorative about simply listening, and a sound healing session offers a chance to step away from the constant noise of everyday life and turn your attention inward.

Using instruments such as crystal singing bowls, gongs, drums and chimes, sound healing creates an immersive sensory experience designed to encourage relaxation and stillness. With no notifications, screens or distractions competing for your attention, it’s an opportunity to settle into the present moment and let the sounds take over.

We love:

Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens - admission includes twice-daily Crystal Sound Bath sessions near Byron Bay, NSW.

Sound Healing Hawai‘i - soul nourishing Sound Healing and Reiki Sessions in O‘ahu, Hawai‘i.

Wailea Beach Resort - Marriot, Maui - where sound healing is part of the Olakino Wellness Pool Retreat experience in Maui, Hawai‘i.

There’s a unique kind of presence that comes from spending time with horses. These intuitive animals respond to energy, body language and emotion, inviting us to become more aware of how we communicate and connect.

Whether it’s a guided equine experience, trail ride or time spent simply being around horses, the experience can offer a welcome break from screens and schedules. Out in nature, surrounded by these gentle animals, your attention naturally shifts to what’s happening right in front of you.

We love:

Maxime Willems and Sugar Beach Ranch - a unique Equine wellness session near Ballina, NSW.

Highlands Centre for Healing - a 2-night Equine Escape in the NSW Southern Highlands.

Kallaroo - spend time with the beautiful herd during a Farm Stay in the Snowy Mountains of NSW.

Getting your hands into the earth and seeing where your food begins can be a wonderfully grounding experience. A farm tour takes you beyond the supermarket shelf, offering the chance to wander through orchards, meet farmers, learn about regenerative growing or taste produce fresh from the source.

Away from screens and surrounded by fresh air, soil and seasonal produce, it’s an opportunity to reconnect with the land and rediscover the simple pleasure of knowing where your food comes from.

We love:

O’o Farm - a ‘seed to cup’ coffee, brunch and farm tour in Maui, Hawai‘i.

Bowral Honey Farm - a mindful honey farm tour and delicious tasting in Bowral, NSW.

Common Ground - an inspiring regenerative food & farm experience in Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i.

Put one foot in front of the other and let the landscape set the pace. A guided walk or hike offers a simple way to reconnect with nature while giving your mind a welcome break from the constant pull of your phone.

Whether you're following a coastal trail, exploring the bush or walking through ancient landscapes with a knowledgeable guide, the experience encourages you to notice your surroundings, breathe in the fresh air and become absorbed in the journey.

We love:

Sydney Harbour Federation Trust - North Head Circuit is a scenic coastal walk on Sydney Harbour.

Tread Lightly Eco Tours - the Grand Canyon guided walk in the NSW Blue Mountains. has spectacular views

Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary - The ‘Cloud Forest Cleanse’ Day Retreat on the Island of Hawai‘i includes a guided walk and a sound healing session.

On the water, your focus naturally shifts to the rhythm of your paddle and the world around you. Whether you’re gliding across a calm bay on a stand-up paddleboard or exploring a winding river by kayak, time seems to take on a different pace. Feel the movement beneath you, listen to the sounds of the water and take in the changing landscape.

From peaceful paddles to more adventurous outings, being on the water is an invigorating way to be fully immersed in the moment.

We love:

Kayak Kaua‘i - the team hosts a kayak tour to Hanalei’s secret blue lagoon in Kauai, Hawai‘i.

Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours - try the Gumbaynggirr Stand Up Paddle Experience near Coffs Harbour in NSW.

Anelakai Adventures - enjoy a Hawaiian cultural canoe experience on the waters of Keauhou Bay on the Island of Hawaiʻi.

Yoga is a natural way to shift your attention away from the outside world and back towards yourself - making it a perfect addition to a digital detox getaway.

Practising somewhere new, whether beside the ocean, among the trees or at a wellness retreat, gives you the space to focus on movement, breath and the experience of being present. From an energising morning flow to a restorative evening yin practice, yoga can help create the mental space to truly switch off.

We love:

Flow mOcean Yoga - try a SUP Yoga session in Manly, NSW.

Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi - sink into a silk hammock for aerial yoga with a luxury wellness stayon Lānaʻi in Hawai‘i.

Zensi Retreat - enjoy a private yoga class during your Zensi Wellness Retreat in Mudgee, NSW.

Food has a wonderful way of bringing us into the moment - engaging all the senses while offering a taste of the culture and character of a destination.

A cooking class, food tour or long lunch can become a highlight of a wellness getaway, particularly when you’re learning about local ingredients, traditional techniques and the stories behind a dish.

From preparing fresh produce to sharing a meal around the table, food experiences invite you to connect with place, people and the pleasure of eating well.

We love:

Indigiearth - the incredible Warrakirri Indigenous dining experience in Mudgee, NSW.

Moonacres - there are a range of cooking classes at Moonacres School in the NSW Southern Highlands.

Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows - the Ultimate Aloha stay includes the Myths of Maui lūʻau, a nourishing evening of traditional hula and Hawaiian cuisine.