WORK DEADLINES, RELATIONSHIP dramas and the never-ending quest for the perfect six-pack – it can all take its toll. But fear not, whatever the reason for your stress levels rising, there’s a surefire cure for what ails you: a pampering weekender. And, luckily, NSW is packed with incredible spa and wellness getaways – from serene beach resorts and slick inclusive hotels in jaw-dropping wilderness, to inner-city urban spa getaways and designated wellness retreats – each designed to recharge your batteries and have you feeling like a new man. So pack your bags, leave your worries behind, and prepare to unwind in style.
Elements of Byron, Byron Bay
Byron Bay might conjure up images of Instagram influencers and overpriced acai bowls, but when it comes to world class accommodation options, Byron Shire punches well above its small town weight. If you want a check-in that ticks both the ‘world-class resort’ box AND a ‘wellness getaway’, then Elements of Byron is the place.
Boasting a beachfront location and several pristine pools (one designated ‘adults-only’) and both flanked by fire pits and swim-up bars, this sprawling beachfront resort has got it all: private villas and direct access to a pristine stretch of sand. This is where you come to escape the everyday, recharge your batteries, and maybe even catch a wave or two.
More than just a place to relax and recharge, Elements is a place that facilitates holistic wellness – you can connect with nature via the various walking trails within the resort’s extensive grounds and take advantage of daily inclusive yoga classes to further cultivate inner-Zen.
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The spa at Elements is all about embracing the natural elements. Think treatments inspired by the ocean, the rainforest, and the local Indigenous culture. They’ve got everything from deep tissue massages to facials that’ll leave you looking younger than your Tinder profile pic. Try the ‘muscular wellbeing massage’ to soothe aches and pains to heal and rejuvenate. The signature Osprey massage (a sequenced full body massage combining the use of pressure point therapy and breathing techniques) is another winner.
Eat:
Speaking of tasty eats, the entire Byron area is a trailblazer in the culinary stakes. Fast-becoming one of the most exciting foodie destinations in Australia, the wealth of amazing local produce here, coupled with a proximity to the ocean, and a burgeoning population of top-tier chefs, means that you’ll eat well from morning to night. You can experience this at the in-house Azure Bar & Grill, which serves up modern Australian cuisine with a focus on fresh, local ingredients.
Gaia Retreat & Spa, Brooklet
The Northern Rivers’ reputation for wellness has endured for decades and there’s a trove of options for every taste, from meditation and yoga retreats, to shamanic drumming workshops and ecstatic dancing classes. But to really immerse yourself in the area’s ancient healing culture, then a few nights at Gaia Retreat & Spa is the way to do it.
Nestled in the lush hinterland, this award-winning retreat – which was co-founded by the late, great Olivia Newton-John – combines luxe accommodation, epic spa treatments, delicious organic cuisine and stunning natural setting, to provide the perfect backdrop for serious R&R.
Surrounded by rolling hills, rainforest, and breathtaking views, you’ll feel your stress melt away as you immerse yourself in the tranquility of the environment. Take a dip in the infinity pool overlooking the valley, wander through the serene gardens, or simply relax on your private balcony and soak up the peace and quiet. Join a yoga or meditation class, explore the surrounding rainforest on a guided walk (and channel your inner Bear Grylls), try sound healing and meditation, or simply relax by the pool and soak up the serenity.
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Gaia’s spa is a sanctuary of serenity, offering a wide range of treatments all designed to restore balance and harmony and all using natural and organic products. Standouts include the speciality massages and the Man Retreat Facial (specially created for men’s skin and paired with an extended head and neck massage) all of which will leave your skin smoother than a freshly waxed surfboard.
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Forget sad salads and flavourless tofu. Gaia’s in-house restaurant, Kukura, is a foodie paradise. They serve up fresh, seasonal produce that’s locally sourced and ridiculously delicious. Think hearty dishes that’ll satisfy your inner caveman, but with a healthy twist. Enjoy your meals in the elegant dining room or al fresco on the terrace, taking in the stunning views that will help inspire positive life changes.
Spicers Sangoma, Blue Mountains
Sometimes, the best way to recharge is to escape the city and immerse yourself in nature. But that doesn’t mean you have to rough it. Named after the Zulu word for ‘healer’, Spicers Sangoma is an adults-only, self-care sanctuary that sits in the foothills of the Blue Mountains far away from the touristy bustle of Katoomba. Surrounded by the raw beauty of the World Heritage area – think towering eucalyptus trees, dramatic cliffs, and cascading waterfalls – there’s green as far as the eye can see. But instead of pitching a tent here to enjoy the natural majesty, at Sangoma guests relax in 5-star suites with private balconies, oversized bathtubs and roaring wood fires.
Outside, a solar-heated infinity lap pool beckons outside, lined with chic loungers and relaxation pods for taking in those dreamy horizon views. There’s also an adjacent outdoor sauna and walking trails across the grounds. For active types, yoga, guided hikes, rock climbing and canyoning, can also be arranged on demand.
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Far from your average hotel spa, Spicers Sangoma’s Spa, Anise, is as immersed in the surrounding jaw-dropping nature as possible. Set within the forest itself, treatments take place against a backdrop of birdsong and the sound of breeze rustling trees. Choose from signature massages and revitalising facials and body scrubs that’ll detoxify you faster than a weekend bender.
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The best thing about Spicers Sangoma? You can ditch the wallet and embrace the all-inclusive life. And that includes the food, glorious food. At the in-house Amara restaurant – a lauded eatery which has been awarded a hat for the third consecutive year, it’s all about showcasing the best of the Blue Mountains region. Daily five-course degustation menus for ultimate long lunches, and seven-courses for dinner, showcase the freshest organic and seasonal meat, cheese and hero produce available within 100km (or one-hour drive) of Sangoma, among the historic and highly fertile Hawkesbury region. And this is all paired with expertly matched wines – cheers to that!
The Brooklet, Brooklet
Looking to truly disconnect and escape the digital noise? Sitting high on a hinterland ridge with views to die for – and a sprawling property of some 125 acres – The Brooklet is pure bucolic bliss.
Comprised of six, large luxury villas, this secluded retreat is all about getting back to basics, reconnecting with nature, and rediscovering your inner peace. Expansive hinterland with endless rolling hills, spectacular sunsets, tranquillity and country air are paired with amenities and a fit out that wouldn’t look out of place in a capital city chichi check-in.
Here, rather than a guided retreat, you’re in charge of your own wellness experience. The luxury getaway in the Byron Bay hinterland is equipped with an infinity mineral pool, an outdoor hot tub, ice bath and rainwater shower, infrared sauna and an organic garden with produce to pick.
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The magnesium hot tub. Set high up to perfectly take advantage of the panoramic hinterland views, the magnesium filtered tub is the perfect way to destress and ease muscle tension. It’s also the perfect location to sink a cheeky sundowner or two, should you be so inclined.
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Although there is no restaurant on site, staff can arrange a platter of local produce to enjoy on your terrace, or a delivery of fresh ingredients so you can prepare a feast in your own kitchen. There’s also a communal wood fired pizza oven and Argentinian grill on hand for further ‘dining under the stars’ options.
Crown Sydney
Who says you need to escape the city to find tranquility? Crown Sydney, a towering icon on the city skyline, offers a plush urban retreat where you can eases everyday stresses and strains without the need to leave the city limits.
Aside from living the high lift up in lavishly appointed hotel rooms or suites – complete with panoramic views of the harbour, the city skyline, or the iconic Sydney Opera House – there’s ample here to help banish stresses and strains. Take a dip in the breathtaking infinity pool, perched high above the city with panoramic views of the harbour (the perfect place to cool off and soak up the sun) and hit the state-of-the-art fitness centre, which boasts some serious workout gear and more of the same views that will definitely induce you to stay on the treadmill for longer.
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One of the jewels in the crown of the (almost) $3 billion Barangaroo development is its Crown Spa. Set six storeys up, this sprawling sanctuary with a full menu of treatments designed to melt away stress and leave you feeling like a new man. Think deep tissue massages that’ll banish knots from your shoulders, revitalising facials and more. Plus, guests who book a treatment of an hour or longer will be able to access the spa’s Aqua Retreat complimentary before their treatment. Amidst the miles of sleek marble (the interior design draws inspiration from the vast waterways around the property) bliss-inducing facilities include a 37-degree Vitality Pool with jacuzzi jets, heated day beds, an Infrared Sauna made of cedar wood, steam room and Swiss experience showers with jets designed to target specific areas of your body. After an hour here you’ll float back to your room.
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While it isn’t specifically healthy, the recently opened Golden Century restaurant, is undeniably tasty. Famous for its XO pippies, delicious yum cha and late-night dining, the iconic Sydney Cantonease eatery is now open at Crown Sydney after closing its OG location back in 2020. Expect all the classics, including the above and the likes of roast duck, hot pots and crispy pork belly, all cooked to perfection. Ditch the diet and nourish your soul!
Sun Ranch, Coopers Shoot
Ditch the city slicker routine and embrace a laid-back, equestrian-inspired getaway at Sun Ranch.
Overlooking rolling hills and horse paddocks this acreage is where you can trade concrete for paddocks and deadlines for sunsets. Here, guests can expect a unique take on wellness – it’s wellness with a Wild West twist. You’ll wake up to the sound of birdsong and the gentle whinny of horses, a far cry from the city’s morning rush, and sample a range of activities that are designed to beef up your wellness quota.
Explore the property’s scenic trails on horseback meandering along ridge lines and creekside with a cowboy board and cold beverages to follow. Alternatively, get your downward-facing dog on with the yoga and meditation sessions held in the property’s serene surroundings. Or, head to the postcard-perfect wood fired sauna sitting over the dam to sweat out your toxins before jumping into the nearby ice bath.
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There’s no spa, but there are numerous ‘cosmic cowboy’ additions that can be added to your stay from the usual in-room massages and cacao ceremonies to the more crystal-charged astrology readings and sound healing sessions.
Eat:
A short drive away is one of the hottest, new Byron Bay restaurants: Byron Bay Oyster Bar & Seafood Restaurant. Delivering the freshest catches with a side of stunning coastal views, this isn’t your average fish ‘n’ chips joint. Think sleek, modern design, a lively atmosphere, and a menu packed with mouthwatering seafood dishes. From freshly shucked oysters to grilled prawns and pan-seared fish, they’ve got everything to satisfy your seafood cravings. Grab a seat on the deck, soak up the Byron Bay sunshine, and prepare for a culinary experience that’s as fresh as it gets.
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