It’s good to be busy in life (go you!) but not all of us excel when it comes to knowing when to stop, drop and unwind. One of the best ways to really switch off is to escape to a day spa and say goodbye to your phone, clothes and worries for a few hours of absolute bliss. In the spirit of slowing down, here are some of the best day spas on the Gold Coast and in Byron Bay that are worth checking out.
Native State, Coolangatta: Sitting pretty on the shores of Kirra Beach lies the very luxurious Native State. Part gym, part bathhouse, the venue is the perfect place to work out and unwind through hydro-thermal therapies, state-of-the-art fitness classes, private coaching, a serene meditation lounge and knowledge-packed workshops. The bathhouse side of the venue boasts a heated vitality pool, ice plunge, infrared and traditional saunas, a steam room and meditation lounge. Working on your wellness never looked or felt better.
The Banya, Mullumbimby: The northern New South Wales town of Mullumbimby has welcomed a gorgeous new immersive social, bathing and dining experience called The Banya. The bliss-inducing space has completely transformed the 1920s building that was historically the town’s bank into a brand-new bathhouse experience that is here to help you hit the reset button. Upon arrival to The Banya, there’s a cafe nook at the front, which is accessible to the public. Only guests, however, can make their way through the doors to discover what’s beyond. If you’re new to the bathhouse experience, guests are shown around the facilities and then left to their own devices to navigate their 90-minute session however they please, although it is recommended to take a dip in the cold plunge pool or rinse off under the banya bucket in between heat treatments. The Banya has also established an exclusive restaurant space for guests of the bathhouse to sit and savour a meal before, during or after their treatment. Trust us, it’s a whole experience.
Soak Bathhouse, Mermaid Beach: Hands up if you’re guilty of glorifying ‘busy’ and often find yourself frantically rushing here, there and everywhere? You need Soak Bathhouse in your life. Soak Bathhouse is a blissful urban oasis that is all about you. The 90-minute wellness sessions are self-guided, meaning how you choose to spend your time is completely up to you. Melt into the outdoor mineral spa that is heated to a balmy 38-degrees before getting a sweat on in the steam room or taking a dip in the outdoor plunge pool, which at 12-degrees will certainly reinvigorate the senses. Inside, a stunning magnesium-infused pool takes pride of place. For those who can handle the heat, there’s a traditional dry red-cedar wood sauna and a sundeck to sink into a deckchair and catch some rays. If you’re really keen to maximise your ‘you time’, there are a range of add-on experiences such as a private infrared sauna, massages and LED express facials.
Halcyon Day Spa at Halcyon House, Cabarita: Stunning south-of-the-border boutique hotel Halcyon House has seamlessly extended its luxe offering into the day spa arena, with a luxurious on-site multi-level wellness space offering a full range of rejuvenating services to both hotel guests and locals. You can expect the full breadth of services, from thermal-infusing facials to massages, hand and foot therapy, a steam room, body exfoliations and more. Plus, each treatment is conducted with all-natural chemical-free products.
On Eagle Wings Mountain Retreat & Spa, Mudgeeraba: Just a short drive into the Mudgeeraba hinterland, this relaxation wonderland will make you feel like you’re worlds away. Leave your worries at home while you lay by the infinity pool with views to the coastline before you indulge in your chosen treatment, from facials to massage, body treatments, pedicures, manicures and more. The Eagle Retreat Spa Package is a great vibe – a half-day of massages, a signature facial and foot massage, infrared sauna sessions and high tea plate with a glass of bubbly to finish. Yes please.
The Bathhouse, Currumbin: Nature and relaxation go hand in hand, so this idyllic setting really is the perfect combination. Housed in the lovingly restored 100-year-old farmhouse next door to Pasture & Co at Ground at Currumbin, this blissful getaway invites you to enjoy a dip in the hot tubs and spas before diving into the plunge pool and sweating it out in the wood-fired sauna. If you wish to add an infrared sauna session to your soak, go ahead – it’s available for 30-minute sessions and can accommodate up to three people. Oh, and all of the pools are mineral enriched, so that’s another plus.
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Kalm Springs, Casuarina: If you’re yet to discover Kalm Springs, you’re in for a real treat. An indulgent sanctuary that provides premium floatation, sensory deprivation therapy, infrared saunas and light therapy treatments, Kalm Springs is, without a doubt, the oasis you’ve been daydreaming about.
Greenhouse the Bathhouse,Tallebudgera Valley: This dreamy white-washed venue is from the talented folk behind Greenhouse Canteen + Bar and was the first of its kind to establish here on the coast. Greenhouse the Bathhouse is a modern rejuvenation space that caters to both ladies and gents and offers a variety of packages depending on your mood and budget. The entry-level experience is a 90-minute soak session for just $55 and invites you to enjoy a rotation of the facilities at your own pace, or you can treat yourself to a luxe massage treatment, which is followed by a delicious plant-based lunch served with complimentary champagne or kombucha.
Azure Spa & Fitness, Broadbeach: When it comes to treating yourself, it’s hard to go past Azure Spa & Fitness at The Star Gold Coast. Super central and convenient, the spa boasts six treatment rooms (including a dual treatment space) to lure you into a state of complete bliss with a range of rituals and wellness packages. If winter has you feeling a little bit like a reptile, the Deep Sea Body Indulgence is calling your name – start with an invigorating salt exfoliation peel before cocooning your whole body in a unique blend of warm blue-green algae. Your indulgence concludes with an aromatic, energising full-body massage.
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Comma, Byron Bay: Located on the fringe of beautiful Byron Bay, Comma is a modern day spa with a difference. As its name implies, Comma is more than a massage, it’s a gentle reminder that time is our greatest currency. If you’re in need of a moment to pause and escape the clamour of modern life, Comma offers holistic body treatments which are intuitively designed to restore your balance so you feel refreshed and recharged. Add some buzz to dehydrated skin with an invigorating body brush or erase five years, two kids or one big evening with a restorative facial.
SpaQ at QT Gold Coast: Just like your mind, your body isn’t static. Take time just for yourself at spaQ and feel waves of relaxation wash over you. Enjoy a blissful beachside glow while being pampered into a rare moment of tranquillity and unwind with mindfully designed treatments. The space is super relaxing, yet fun – and it oozes personality, which is a refreshing step away from some of the more clinical day spas. Choose from a well-curated series of spa, massage and facial therapies, body exfoliations and masks, grooming treatments and more. There are plenty of rejuvenating solo packages, plus options for couples and small groups. Either way, expect to be treated like the true VIP while you’re here.
O’Reilly’s Lost World Spa, Lamington National Park: O’Reilly’s Lost World Spa is the perfect place to find your best self. Stress will melt out of your body as soon as you set foot inside this hidden hideaway, starting with the scenic splendour and fresh mountain air enjoyed at the spa’s relaxation lounge and finishing with a detoxifying stint in the on-site steam room. The treatment rooms offer body-melting massages, hot stone therapy, skin-care treatments and Vintotherapy, which uses grapes from Canungra Valley vineyards for an anti-ageing treatment. While waiting for your treatment to begin, enjoy some down time at the spa’s infinity pool and trust us when we say, that view alone is worth the drive. Ready to escape to another world? Head here to book.
Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, Tallebudgera Valley: A tranquil oasis nestled in the heart of the Gold Coast hinterland, Gwinganna’s spa facilities are guaranteed to help reset your inner being. Boasting an indoor-meets-outdoor 33-room spa (one of the largest in the southern hemisphere) Gwinganna features everything from elevated outdoor decks overlooking 200 hectares of native bushland, peaceful gardens, steam rooms, custom treatment rooms and more. The spa menu includes music and massage fusions, Japanese-style acupuncture and hot-stone combinations, multi-faceted massage experiences, eight kinds of facial, specialised Ayurveda aromatherapy treatments, Eastern therapies and much, much more. Take a peek here.
One Spa at RACV Royal Pines Resort, Benowa: Nestled amongst peaceful green landscapes and calming waters, this dreamy day spa offers an extensive treatment list including locally and internationally inspired rituals, unique water therapies, full body therapy and combination treatments. As you step through the door to your new realm, you are welcomed by an inviting space where there are no distractions and no demands. Simplicity is key for One Spa treatments, which are now exclusively offering clients the LaGaia UNEDITED range of luxury skincare products with their treatments. LaGaia’s targeted skin treatments, wellness and relaxation services will make you feel as though you’re floating on a cloud of deeply restorative and radiant relaxation. Head here for more info and to make a booking.
SOL Elements, Tambourine Mountain: Rounding out our list is the soon to open SOL Elements bathhouse, nestled within the tropical rainforest of Tamborine Mountain. Embark on a serene and soothing soul adventure through different therapy rooms representing the regenerative powers of earth, air, fire and water. Explore the organic body clay room, the Himalayan salt cave, the communal onsens (Japanese for hot spring), and SOL Elements’ array of saunas, from infrared to heated stone. Keep your eyes peeled on The Weekend Edition for an opening date in the coming months.
Still want more? We love to see it! Once you’ve made your way through the above list, be sure to check out Freedom Float Centre, City Cave and Earth & Skin.