Recharge and reconnect – spend a Wellness Weekend at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat with your best friends
Eat well. Move daily. Self care. Spend quality time with friends. All things we know we need to do – all things we honestly want to do – but sometimes it’s hard to fathom how to fit it all into our busy schedules. If your finger is hovering over the reset button but you’re not sure how to press it, allow us to make a suggestion. Tie all of those needs and wants together into one glorious, blissful weekend with your friends at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat and leave feeling refreshed, replenished and reconnected.
When I say it’s been a year, I know anyone reading this will relate. Something about 2024 has just felt … busier. Unfortunately, when we get swept up in busyness, some things that are crucially important to us tend to slip. It wasn’t until we crossed the threshold into the final quarter of the year that I realised I desperately needed a reset to fulfil my needs and wants list before the silly season kicked in.
What better way to tick all of those boxes than a weekend of wellness with my best friend?
Our restorative weekend began on Friday, leaving the real world behind as we made our way down the coastline and into the hills of the Tallebudgera Valley. As we ascended up the mountain towards Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, enveloped by towering gums, we rolled down the windows to soak up the fresh air and occasional whipbird song.
Arriving at our destination, an immediate sense of calm washed over me. Perched high atop a plateau looking over the verdant Gold Coast hinterland and right out to the ocean, Gwinganna’s grounds evoke an overwhelming feeling of tranquility and freedom. Once we checked in, the team escorted us and our bags via buggy through the grounds to our sanctuary for the next two nights, the Deluxe Orchard Suites. We settled into our neighbouring rooms, calling out to each other excitedly once we reached the verandah (which we soon realised could be adjoined) – we each had a deep, inviting bathtub out there, overlooking Gwinganna’s lush orchard.
While my pal explored the grounds, spotting the resident koalas and wallabies, I headed straight to the spa to truly dive headfirst into my self-care weekend. Boasting the largest spa in the Southern Hemisphere, Gwinganna certainly understands the importance of relaxation and restoration. Cocooned by my cosy robe, I ventured downstairs to the Crystal Steam Room to slowly unwind before my treatment – the marma point relaxation therapy and chakra balance. The treatment promised deep relaxation and reduction of stress-related tension through long, flowing movements, easing tired and tense muscles – and it certainly delivered. In addition to stress-relief, the therapist uses Ayurvedic aromatherapy oils as they balance and energise your chakra, resulting in a truly transformative experience.
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Emerging from my post-treatment haze, I made my way up to the Wellness Education Complex to meet my friend for the welcome seminar. As we sipped a delicious berry and coconut smoothie, our incredible program manager Kay ran us through what we could expect for the weekend and how to make the most of our experience. The intention of the Gwinganna’s Wellness Weekend program is to provide a short break to help you ‘step back, switch off and refocus on your health’ in a deliberately low-tech environment. What lay ahead of us did not disappoint.
Our first evening concluded with a nourishing dinner together as a group. The Gwinganna team assigns table settings so you know exactly where you need to be, keeping travelling groups together but encouraging you to meet the other retreat guests. As we savoured every last morsel of our delectable meal (I opted for the vegetarian moussaka), we bonded over what brought us to this slice of paradise.
After an early night and a restful sleep (it’s amazing how quickly you doze off without that digital distraction), we were up and ready to start the day at 5:30 am. We meandered down to the dining room for a warming drink and fresh fruit, before joining Kay on the hilltop lawn for qi gong. As the sun’s first rays kissed our cheeks, Kay guided us through the ancient slow-movement practice, set against the backdrop of breathtaking views reaching all the way to the ocean.
At 6:30 am we faced our first decision of the day – a leisurely walk, a more challenging hike or a mobility class. Ever keen for a challenge, we opted for the hike. Together with our new companions we trekked even further up the mountain, navigating steep hills and rocky terrain to reach the top of the 200 hectare property. At the summit we paused at the outdoor yoga deck to take in our reward – sweeping, unobstructed views from Moreton Bay right down to Fingal Head.
The alluring aromas of breakfast floated through the air as we made our way back towards the dining room – a meal we had certainly worked up an appetite for. If you’re thinking you’ll go hungry at this retreat, think again – Gwinganna’s Wellness Weekend is packed with organic gluten- and dairy-free meals designed to provide nourishment to the body for energy and vitality. Many of the ingredients are gathered from the retreat’s organic gardens and orchard, as well as surrounding farms and producers.
Our next decision came shortly after breakfast – a choice of a yin (gentle and restorative) or yang (higher intensity) activities. Guests are advised to listen to their bodies and encouraged to lean into the activities that they most resist, as this is likely what the body needs most. We decided to draw on the morning’s uplifting energy with the yang activity – a mat pilates class in the Mind Body Pavilion.
Apart from coming together for lunch, Gwinganna allowed us to choose our own adventure from 10:15 am to 5:30 pm. You could head to the spa, use the gym, relax by the pool, sit back in the sauna, rejuvenate in the ice plunge, participate in a wellness seminar and head down to the dining room for morning and afternoon tea if desired.
Eager to soak up every facet of our weekend together, my friend and I worked our way through the retreat’s facilities, rounding out our day with a visit back to the spa during rest time after lunch. This restorative period is an important part of the Wellness Weekend schedule – time to activate your parasympathetic nervous system and completely relax. Rain started to fall as we entered the spa sanctuary, adding to the already tranquil and nurturing atmosphere of the architecturally designed space. After an unforgettable deep-tissue massage, we curled up in our robes with new acquaintances on the undercover deck, warm tea in hands, sharing stories as we watched the rain fall through the tropical trees that towered over us.
There was one more thing calling our names for the day – those glorious outdoor baths. We retreated to our rooms and soaked off the day’s activities, before rejoining the larger group for meditation and another extremely satisfying dinner, complete with organic wine and avocado chocolate mousse for dessert.
We rose early for our final day, enthusiastic for another morning of movement. Following qi gong we opted again for the challenging hike, this time heading further down into the valley through bushland and rainforest.
After breakfast we decided to head to the day’s yin activity – a gentle yoga class in the Mind Body Pavilion – before heading back to our rooms to ready ourselves for checkout. Vacating our rooms wasn’t the end, however – the Wellness Weekend continues until 2:00 pm on the final day, with guests invited to stay on the grounds and use the facilities until 5:00 pm.
Our Sunday lunch was bittersweet, farewelling the new friends we’d made across the weekend. We met many other groups of travelling pals, including an incredible group of five women who, despite living all over the country, had committed to an annual trip together since finishing high school 20 years ago. Gwinganna was their first retreat and they wholeheartedly agreed it was one of the best trips they’d ever planned.
We spent our final hours seeking out Gwinganna’s magnificent ancient fig tree, nestled within the rainforest, soaking up our uninterrupted quality time together and finishing our respective books as we lounged by the pool.
Although we only escaped for two nights, our girls weekend felt like a whole week. Coming together to prioritise each other and to truly reconnect, away from all distractions, was an experience we will never forget.
Ready to reset, restore and rejuvenate with your closest pals? Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat offers a number of specialty and signature packages, including the Wellness Weekend, perfect for enjoying with a friend or two. For more information, head to the Gwinganna website.