I must confess, I have contraband in my bag. It’s my first time at a health retreat and I don’t think I’ll make it without chocolate. At Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in the Tallebudgera Valley, Queensland, your own food is strictly forbidden. But I’m worried they may not believe in snacks, or that they think wheatgrass juice is enough to get you by.
The taxi winds up a very, very steep, long hill through thick bush. I’m hoping they don’t make the naughty people found with contraband walk up the driveway every morning at dawn.
I’ve booked in for a two night stay here, the Wellness Weekend. The spa has won many awards, including the Best Eco Retreat and Best Wellness Retreat at the Australian Spa & Wellness Awards 2023. Despite its reputation as one of the best health retreats in Australia, I really don’t know what to expect.
I’ve always hated the idea of flop and drop holidays. Sitting by the pool all day? Yawn. And travelling alone is all well and good when it’s an exciting world city, but when I’m expected to stay in one place, surely I’ll get bored.
When I arrive, I have free time for a couple of hours until dinner (punctuated by, I’m happy to say, afternoon tea with a slice of very healthy cake). The room’s décor is dated but comfortable. The verandah’s calming, verdant view makes up for it. I sit on my verandah, overlooking greenery and grazing wallabies, reading my book. I can’t remember the last time I was alone with nowhere to be or nothing to do. After a bit, I mosey on over to the pool for some lazy laps. I’m already sliding into this whole health retreat thing quite well.
At dinner, we’re assigned to tables to get to know the other guests. Dinner is very light but tasty – barramundi with pea velouté for most, tofu with pea velouté for me (as a non-seafood eater). We’re allowed a very small glass of wine but no dessert. All of the food is free from gluten, dairy and processed sugar. Coffee is only allowed until morning tea time (sans cow’s milk and sugar, of course). The dedicated drink apple cider vinegar instead.
Phones are not to be used in public spaces and I take the opportunity to stay off social media and TV (but do keep in touch with my young kids and husband). The poor reception helps keep temptation at bay.
At dinner, we’re all given the schedule for tomorrow, and reminded that it’s all optional. I’m surprised how many activities there are, including yoga, mindfulness, fitness classes, a wellness talk and both morning and afternoon tea.
The next day, I do Qi Gong at 6am, similar to tai chi. The hour time difference from Sydney makes the early start easy. It’s followed by a sweaty, humid group hike, breakfast, then a fitness class. By 11am I already feel like I’ve fit in a full day.
After lunch of jackfruit curry, I head to the Spa Sanctuary, surprisingly the biggest spa in Australasia. The massage is exactly what I need, and I can’t quite remember what I’m supposed to do next as I float back to my room. I settle for another book-reading session on my balcony. The spa offers a wide range of treatments, from familiar facials through to more esoteric treatments like the Sacred Feminine Ritual and horse therapy (which fellow guests assure me is incredible).
By dinner we’re assigned new dining partners, and are pleasantly surprised by a hearty dinner of lamb shank with mash, and (hallelujah) a dessert of sticky date pudding with coconut ice cream.
The next day I skip Qi Gong and the fitness classes but enthusiastically join the morning hike, splash in the pool and treat my self with a facial and another massage.
Many of the guests I speak to are return visitors. They tell me the Wellness Weekend is the health retreat “light” version. The longer retreats include more restrictions and spiritual elements. For example, no alcohol and coffee, and they ask you not to talk about your work or career (to help people trying to get away from stressful jobs).
Gwinganna describes itself as a “cocoon”, and I can see why. Perched on the top of a hill, with lots of lush bush surrounding us, it is easier to disconnect from real life and slow down. By the time I leave after only two nights, I feel like I’ve been away for a week. I’ve packed in plenty of both rest and exercise. I am feeling content and grateful, and looking forward to taking that positivity back to the day-to-day. Would I return to Gwinganna? Absolutely. I may even leave the chocolate at home next time.
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