Chill. Easier said than done right? Add that to the ’to do’ list when assignments are due, work projects are looming, or that family event is creeping up and you’ve run out of excuses. We all need a little break, and as much as we’d to drop everything and run off to Europe for two months, some of us gots’ responsibilities, yo.
A little weekend escape can make a world of difference, so switch your phone off and recharge your own batteries instead, at these Zen wellness retreats just a stone’s throw from Sydney.
#1 Billabong Retreat –Maraylya
I doubt you’d believe me if I told you one of these tranquil retreats was tucked away on the fringes of Sydney, would you? Just a little past Dural, Billabong retreats offers a diverse range of programs for everyone’s own idea of Zen. Whether you’re a passionate yogi, exploring mindfulness or simply ready to throw your phone out the window and relax, Billabong’s all-inclusive programs (food, accommodation and activities) mean even a weeknight of Zen could be on the cards.
#2 Happy Buddha Yoga Retreats – Killcare
You’d be a happy Buddha too after a sneaky weekend up here. Just 90 minutes from Syd in Killcare, Happy Buddha Yoga Retreats offers a full array of emotional, physical and spiritual nourishment. With a backdrop of Bouddi National Park, and crashing waves on the nearby beach your weekend soundtrack, you’ll have no choice but to relax.
#3 Emirates One & Only – Wolgon Valley
While you’d rather be flying Emirates off to Dubai for a weekend, the Emirates One&Only Retreat at Wolgon Valley comes an extremely close second. Sitting out on the Great Dividing Range by the Gardens of Stone National Park, you won’t believe you’re just two hours from the city. The One&Only Spa features a luxurious Japanese-style soaking tub and activities including archery and horseback riding – I think it speaks for itself.
#4 Kanimbla View Clifftop Retreat – Blackheath
Kanimbla View Clifftop Retreat doesn’t lie in its name. The clifftop views over the Kanimbla Valley by Black health are spectacular, and make the ideal backdrop for a sweet escape into the mountains. Committed to ecological sustainability, Kanimbla View features solar-powered eco-cottages and composting programs, while maintaining a little sense of luxury with chef-prepared meals and free Wi-Fi, so you can still Snapchat the views to your mates with ease.
#5 Golden Door Health Retreat and Spa – Hunter Valley
A weekend in the Hunter Valley might usually mean a weeklong hangover after wine tasting, but a weekend at Golden Door in Elysia will leave you refreshed and reconnected with your mind, body and spirit. More than just a yoga retreat, Golden Door provides informational seminars and treatments aimed to help you continue to strive for wellness long after you’ve returned home.