Affordable Wellness Retreats In Australia

If your mind, body and soul are in serious need of some TLC but so is your bank balance, check out these affordable wellness retreats around the country.

Relaxing, re-energising, and sometimes even emotional. Wellness retreats can be all of these things, but, let’s face it, they can also be expensive.

With that said, affordable retreats do in fact exist. There are retreats that, come bill-settling time, won’t see your newfound calm swept out the window. Even better, you can find them in Australia.
You just have to know where to look. Or, we can help you.

1. Happy Buddha Retreats, Wentworth Falls, NSW

A stay at Happy Buddha Retreats in the Blue Mountains will leave you with a whole new understanding of the word mindful. The retreat uses drumming circles, sharing circles, and meditation talks to teach you how to better get out of your head and into the present. Yoga classes and self-guided walks, including a stroll to a nearby waterfall, are of course on offer here too. As are homemade meals, each beginning with chef Khanh explaining her delicious creations in detail – an act that does wonders for mindful eating.

The cost: Prices start at $299 per person for two nights mid-week and include all meals, workshops and yoga classes.

Happy Buddha Retreat Pool

Relax by the pool at Happy Buddha Retreats.

Happy Buddha Retreat Waterfall Walk — Take a stroll to the nearby waterfall at Happy Buddha Retreat.

2. Kangaroo Island Health Retreat, Kangaroo Island, SA

They say it takes 21 days to break a bad habit, but at Kangaroo Island Health Retreat on Kangaroo Island, the aim is to have it reset in just seven days. Its Dynamic Detox program was designed for a complete lifestyle change, and sees you fed only tonic pastes and soup for its first four days before moving you onto whole foods. Rest assured, any memory of hunger pangs will be long forgotten when you bounce out the door, thoroughly cleansed.

The cost: Prices start at $2999 for a week-long retreat. Admittedly on the pricier end, but when you consider it includes nutrition and anatomy lectures, culinary lessons and Pilates classes and works out to just $428 a day, not so much.

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3. Griffins Hill Yoga Retreat, near Dunkeld, VIC

With yoga classes led by a teacher who has over 40,000 hours of practice under his belt, you know you’re in good hands at Griffins Hill Yoga Retreat . Set on 2.5 hectares of garden, and nestled in the Southern Grampians three hours from Melbourne, the retreat runs three-, five- and six-day programs. The focus here is on Igengar yoga, a form of Hatha yoga that emphasises detail, precision and alignment. In between classes, lace up your boots for a mountain walk, book a massage or check out a nearby cafe or restaurant.

The cost: Prices start at $690 per person for the weekend for a twin-share room. If you aren’t with a friend or partner, the retreat will pair you with someone (private king rooms for one guest start from $990 for the weekend). The rate includes all meals and yoga classes.

4. Daintree Ecolodge, Daintree Rainforest, QLD

Daintree Ecolodge Rainforest Bayan — The rainforest-facing rooms at Daintree Ecolodge. Photo: Simon Shiff

While local culture, nature and indulgence-themed packages are on offer at Daintree Ecolodge , the hotel is, for the most part, more of a DIY-style retreat. Start by picking your room, choosing from lagoon, canopy or rainforest-facing options, before then moving on to your activities. And from cooking demonstrations and degustation dinners to 4WD tours and Daintree Rainforest adventures, you won’t be short on choice. Always a plus, the resort is incredibly sustainable so as you connect with nature, you can be sure you aren’t further damaging it.

The cost: Prices start at $380 a night for two people and include breakfast.

Even dining at the Daintree Ecolodge Restaurant is a soothing experience when surrounded by this picturesque scene. Photo: Simon Shiff

5. Island Indulgence Retreats, Hindmarsh Island, SA

Island Indulgence Retreats in South Australia’s Hindmarsh Island marina is the brainchild of a mother-daughter team of a naturopath and a masseuse. The combination of the two clearly making for a very blissful weekend. Its women-only programs will see you indulging in a facial treatment, hour-long massage and nutrition workshop, all set on a serene waterfront. Also on the agenda are yoga and meditation classes and self-guided kayak tours. Retreats are capped at just eight guests.

The cost: Prices start at $595 per person for the weekend.

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6. Billabong Retreat, Maralyla, NSW

Cabins of Billabong Retreat in Maralyla, NSW — The cabins of Billabong Retreat in Maralyla, NSW.

Join in on the yoga classes in the Billabong Retreat Treetop Yoga Room.

Nothing says relaxing retreat more than a bathtub on a balcony. At Billabong Retreat , just 45 minutes from Sydney (or a 10-minute drive from Vineyard train stop), deluxe cabin rooms come equipped with said tubs, perched over a very peaceful billabong. In between soaks, join in a yoga class, indulge in a spa treatment or simply curl up in the common area with a book and blanket. Meals here are served buffet-style and are all-natural and all-healthy.

The cost: Prices start at $250 a night for a bed in a dorm room, including all meals and yoga. Prices for the deluxe cabin room start at $500 per person a night, $700 for two people.

Billabong Retreat_Deluxe Cabin — Inside a Billabong Retreat Deluxe Cabin.

Billabong Retreat breakfast — The meals at Billabong Retreat are served buffet-style and are all-natural and all-healthy.

7. Ripple Retreats, East Fremantle, WA

Live in Perth or right near it, and only have a day to spare for some quality self-care? Book at Ripple Retreats. In a gorgeous garden in East Fremantle, you’ll learn how to properly breathe and relax, and how to harness the power of positive thinking. By the end of the day, expect to have peeled away at least some of those pesky stress layers, and further cultivated that deep sense of calm and inner peace.

The cost: Price for the day is $287 per person.

Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

Where to stay

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney . The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom — Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

Where to drink & dine

1. The Bar

the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar — Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .

Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

2. The Place

the Fullerton Hotel the place dining — Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

3. Local gelato

Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks — Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

What to do/see

1. GPO Heritage Tour

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby — Be awed by the building’s history.

Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

2. Circular Quay

aerial of circular quay sydney — Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

3. Royal Botanic Gardens

view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden — Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

4. Theatre Royal

Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.

Australia’s best value wellness retreats

If your mind, body and soul are in serious need of some TLC but so is your bank balance, check out these affordable wellness retreats around the country.

1. Happy Buddha Retreats, Wentworth Falls, NSW

2. Kangaroo Island Health Retreat, Kangaroo Island, SA

3. Griffins Hill Yoga Retreat, near Dunkeld, VIC

4. Daintree Ecolodge, Daintree Rainforest, QLD

5. Island Indulgence Retreats, Hindmarsh Island, SA

6. Billabong Retreat, Maralyla, NSW

7. Ripple Retreats, East Fremantle, WA

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Your guide to a summer staycation in Sydney

Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.