4 new wellness retreats you can do in a weekend

If ever there was a reason to book yourself a wellness retreat, the past two years have been it.

After staring down lockdowns, border closures, home schooling and job uncertainty, our collective mental health has taken a beating. The antidote? A short wellness retreat you can realistically fit into a few days to steal back some time for yourself and begin to rejuvenate your soul.

Start 2022 out on the right note with these 4 Queensland wellness retreats you can do in a weekend.

Spicers Tamarind’s wellness getaway, Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Spicers Tamarind is the expert in indulgence, which is precisely why the new wellness getaways are such a delicious dose of self-care, wrapped up in luxury accommodation on the banks of Obi Obi Creek in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

Balancing hatted dining at The Tamarind, coffee, wine (yes, really) and plenty of sleep with a motivating series of masterclasses and activities, these two-night retreats are just what the doctor ordered.

Leadership expert Rachel O’Brien is your guru in this introductory-level journey with techniques to help you thrive in life, from mindfulness walks to Kundalini yoga classes, and tools to help you combat anxiety and heal your relationship with food. The next retreat is being held in November 2021, followed by another in March 2022.

Solo wellness retreat at Atelier34, Sunshine Coast

When did you last enjoy a little ‘me time’? Like most of us, our bet is you’re well overdue. But where to go and what to do? At Atelier34 – a bespoke solo female hideaway near Cooroy on the Sunshine Coast – you can leave everything in the wonderful hands of owner, Lisa.

Treat yourself to a couple of nights away in the beautifully designed cabin for one, which is well equipped with tools to help you slow down and unwind. Let your days revolve around cups of tea, long sunny breakfasts on the deck gazing into the forest, soaks in the outdoor copper bathtub, and nights curled up in front of the fire with art supplies or something from the curated book collection.

While the simple act of retreating by yourself is balm for the soul in itself, Atelier34 can also arrange one-on-one ceramic workshops, a self-healing ceremony, or a Zenthai massage and sacred sound healing.

Daintree Ecolodge wellness retreat, Tropical North Queensland

Tucked within the magical embrace of the world’s oldest rainforest, three short wellness retreats are planned for 2022 at Daintree Ecolodge.

It’s the perfect setting for daily yoga, meditation and breathwork sessions led by mind-body coach, Emily Spurling of Karma Being. These sessions set the groundwork for a mindful immersion in this spiritual slice of Tropical North Queensland, blended in with a spa treatment, waterhole swim and ceremonial release.

You’ll bed down each night in a refurbished Rainforest Banyan and explore the beauty of the region with an included Daintree River cruise and rainforest walk. The four-night retreats are scheduled for 9-13 May, 29 August – 2 September, and 24-28 October 2022.

Eden Health Retreat, Gold Coast

A short drive from the sands of the Gold Coast, Eden Health Retreat has been a beacon of wellness in the Currumbin Valley for decades but a multi-million-dollar makeover and Australia’s Best Wellness Retreat accolade has cemented it as a must-do for tired, overworked souls.

They offer seven and four-night programs, but it’s the three-day retreats that run every Thursday to Sunday that make it such an accessible wellness experience. And it’s absolutely stunning. Set against a backdrop of lush green mountains, the architecturally-striking cabins range in styles and rates, some equipped with deep bathtubs, reading nooks and fireplaces.

There are no strict rules here, beyond skipping caffeine and alcohol for a few days. You can design your own itinerary around spa treatments, energising movement sessions that range from yoga to Zumba, dips in the pool, and fueling your body with a carefully choreographed menu of nutritionally dense wholefoods.