health retreats in Australia

Gaia retreat and spa, Byron Bay hinterland, NSW

Partly owned by Olivia Newton-John and frequented by celebrities, with a price tag on the eye-popping side, my expectations were high as I stepped through Gaia’s Balinese-style entrance for a two-night stay. 

Thankfully, the resort lived up to the hype. From the floral necklaces on the Buddha statues in the 25-acre tropical gardens, to the Zen-like demeanour of the staff, everything about it oozed style and luxury.

After checking in to my Layana room, which was tastefully decorated but on the small side, I perused the activity list. The breadth of options is so staggering it’s comical. As well as the usual spa treatments, you can consult an astrologer, have an esoteric breast massage (I was too chicken), try an organic coffee body polish, or take a clay sculpture class. There are also counsellors, spiritual healers, naturopaths and tarot card readers.

It’s all rather indulgent, as you’d expect from Byron, but done in a very thoughtful, five-star way. I chose a 90-minute massage in the day spa, plus yoga and guided meditation sessions. Nothing disappointed, but a highlight was the delicious meals sourced from the organic garden. There’s a fantastic organic wine list, too, so you can fool yourself into thinking that’s healthy.

A communal dining room table caters for the large number of solo women guests. Susan from Perth told me she’d checked in for pampering and grief counselling after her husband succumbed to cancer. “After all I’ve been through, I wanted a treat.” Camille, a Melbourne mother of four, was on her third visit in as many years. “It’s an escape hatch from family life.”

At sunset on my last night, I stood with Camille at a lookout in the property’s lush gardens. It felt extraordinarily peaceful. “Like
a magical, secret world,” Camille whispered, and I nodded silently in agreement.