This new wellness retreat in Mudgee is the ultimate reset

Taylah DarnellBy Taylah Darnell
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Wellness meets wine at this wholesome regional escape.

Tucked deep in NSW’s Central West region, a brand-new wellness offering is inviting guests to slow down and switch off. Nestled just outside of Mudgee, this soothing sanctuary blends nature, nourishment and nurture – promising more than just a wonderful winter weekend away.

Where is the new retreat?

Glenayr Farm has long attracted visitors, thanks to its exclusive accommodation in the heart of an award-winning wine region, just 3.5 hours from Sydney. The working sheep and cattle farm is arguably one of the best places to stay around Mudgee, providing a small but impressive range of luxurious glamping tents and off-grid villas across its 129-hectare property.

Glenayr Farm in Mudgee, NSW
Glenayr Farm in Mudgee has launched an all-new wellness retreat.

But Glenayr Farm continues to up the ante, revealing a new Wild Wellness retreat that promises to launch this regional stay to the top of your bucket list. Officially launched in May 2025, the immersive experience guides guests through a wellness regime that promises to restore balance, clarity and peace of mind.

What’s on offer?

Wellness looks different for everyone. So to make the experience as inclusive as possible, Glenayr has curated an extensive and diverse program that caters to all. Whether you’ve been riding the recent wellness wave or just dipping your toes in, you’ll find something to soothe you, mind, body and soul.

If you’re just getting started, ease yourself in with an infrared sauna session or soak in the magnesium spa. Both offer a variety of benefits, from stress reduction and muscle relaxation to improved sleep and better skin health. Guests can also unwind with communal or private yoga sessions held at The Barn – Glenayr’s new multi-purpose venue designed to host everything from weddings to workshops.

Glenayr Farm in Mudgee, NSW
Retreat to your private villa after a day of pampering.

For those who have been dabbling in wellness for a while (or want to push the limits a little), take it up a notch with a refreshing ice plunge. While requiring a little more bravery, the wellness experience has proven to assist with pain relief, improve circulation and enhance mental resilience.

Prefer to be pampered? Slip into restorative bliss with an indulgent massage or facial, organised specifically around each guest. Afterwards, the property’s peaceful country trails invite you outdoors to reconnect with nature through walking and forest bathing. It’s the perfect way to round out your day of relaxation before retreating to your cosy onsite accommodation for the night.

Woman doing an ice plunge bath
Soothe aching muscles with an ice plunge. (Image: Getty Images/Aleksander Nakic)

Each Wild Wellness experience at Glenayr Farm is elevated by Alpine Spas , who jumped onboard to provide its high-end products that ensure guests enjoy only the best. Zyla Retreats also joined the team to support guests in their wellness journey. Through a range of guided workshops, expert facilitators will assist in reconnecting the mind, body and spirit through life-enhancing techniques guests can take home.

How do I book a Wild Wellness retreat?

Wild Wellness is available to all Glenayr Farm guests, so all you really need to do is book! There are two private villas available, each featuring a king bed, fireplace, kitchenette, wood-fired hot tub and outdoor fire pit.

Glenayr Farm in Mudgee, NSW
The Wild Wellness program is the ultimate indulgence.

Four onsite bell tents provide the ultimate Mudgee glamping experience. Glenayr Farm also recently launched its Accessible Villa, a two-bedroom, two-bathroom space that allows people of all abilities to enjoy the luxurious property.

Once your stay is confirmed, guests will have access to the wellness program and its facilities, including the Finnish sauna, magnesium spa, ice plunge, private treatment rooms and more. Staff will be able to assist with specific requests, including massage and facial appointments. Reservations are open now!

Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to visit places like Norway and New Zealand, her favourite place to explore will forever be her homeland.
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Where to eat, sleep and visit on Grand Pacific Drive, and beyond

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    The ultimate road trip begins and ends on NSW’s stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

    Whales, charming villages, fine wine and stunning natural vistas: there’s a lot to love about a road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive in New South Wales. Winding from the Royal National Park through Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven before heading inland to the Southern Highlands, this scenic drive makes for an unforgettable road trip.

    But like all great road trips, it’s not just about the drive but the stops made along the way. From incredible farm-to-plate (and grape-to-glass) dining options to unbeatable natural vistas and quaint towns with beautiful accommodation, there’s plenty to explore en route.

    Shellharbour Marina
    Spend time in Shellharbour Marina.

    Where to eat

    What is a road trip without incredible food? Whether you’re after fresh seafood, slow-cooked paddock-to-plate feasts or delicious wines, you’ll find something around every bend along Grand Pacific Drive.

    Restaurant Santino is a local Wollongong secret we can’t keep quiet any longer. With a fresh take on Italian cuisine, servings are hearty and flavours are comforting. The chitarra with blue swimmer crab, garlic, chilli, parsley and crustacean oil is a crowd favourite.

    Keep it local in Shellharbour with a menu all about fresh local produce at Relish on Addison . From South Coast oysters and blue swimmer crab linguine to crispy pork belly, surf and turf takes on an elevated meaning here.

    Kiama’s neighbourhood wine and cocktail bar, Little Betty’s , is just as good for a tasty share plate as it is for creative cocktails. The signature Grilled Octopus with burnt honey, garlic confit and sautéed Asian greens is worth a trip on its own.

    Only the best will do in Shoalhaven, where multi-award-winning Bangalay Dining uses native Australian ingredients to bring its dishes to life. Start with the Smoked trout croquette before moving on to the sautéed potato gnocchi. Don’t forget the white chocolate mousse for dessert.

    Meanwhile, the Southern Highlands are full of culinary highlights. From dining on incredibly fresh, local fare (we’re talking ingredients plucked from the team’s on-site kitchen garden or sourced through local producers) at Eschalot Restaurant in Berrima to creating gin blends at Millsheds Distillery .

    bangalay dining shoalhaven
    Taste native flavours at Bangalay Dining.

    Exploring nature

    Scenery is everything when hitting the road, and Grand Pacific Drive serves it up in spades. Drivers don’t even have to leave the car to enjoy the iconic ocean views from Seacliff Bridge (but several lookouts make it easy to stop).

    Seaside Kiama boasts stunning beaches and famous blowholes. But travellers can also swap ocean for rainforest when taking the Minnamurra Rainforest walk, culminating in a picturesque waterfall. Or soar overhead at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures .

    The scenic coastal drive along Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton.
    Cruise along the stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

    Between May and November, 30,000 whales make their way passed the South Coast between May and November. Spot them from the coastal shores or join a whale-watching cruise from Shellharbour Marina or Jervis Bay. Dive in with Woebegone Freedive .

    Shellharbour’s Killalea Regional Park is home to a traditional bush tucker and medicine walk with Aboriginal tour group, Gumaraa . Learn Indigenous healing practices and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage and wisdom of the land’s Traditional Owners.

    Wollongong is the perfect place for hikers, with the 6.5-kilometre Wodi Wodi track serving up views, settler history and a variety of landscapes in one loop. If you prefer, skip the walk and pull up at Bald Hill Lookout for expansive views south towards Wollongong (and a hang-glider or two).

    For something truly unique, join the Highland Cow experience at The Swallow’s Nest in the Southern Highlands. In a brand-new offering, get a taste of farm life and help groom and feed these gorgeous creatures.

    kiama coast walk people with dog
    Wander the Kiama Coast Walk.

    Unique experiences

    No need to choose between an adrenaline rush or a culture fix, Grand Pacific Drive serves up both.

    Soar into aviation history at Shellharbour’s HARS Aviation Museum .  Tour the museum, then join a guided walk onto the wing of the record-breaking Qantas Boeing 747 and see the significant historic aircraft up close.

    If ever there was a place to skydive, it’s in Wollongong. Dive from 15,000 feet (tandem, of course) with Sky Dive Wollongong and see the coastal beauty of this region from above.

    Shoalhaven’s Bundanon Art Museum has to be one of the most unique offerings in the country. The legacy of artist Arthur Boyd and more than just a gallery, find eco-accommodation, fine dining, award-winning architecture and community here.

    Kiama’s Crooked River Estate is about more than just delicious wine.  Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy casual food and drinks with live music at Kick Back Fridays , every week.

    Between June and August, the Southern Highlands’ Robertson attracts novice truffle hunters. Join the hunt at family-owned and operated Robertson Truffles (alternatively, you can order truffle treats online, if your sense of adventure isn’t up for it).

    Freshly dug truffles at Terra Preta Truffles, Braidwood.
    Discover hidden gems beneath the soil in the Southern Highlands. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Where to stay

    Road trips are the ultimate promotion for slow travel, encouraging visitors to take their time, enjoy the journey and stop along the way to really immerse themselves in local towns.

    Find history and elegance at Berida Hotel in the Southern Highlands. Intimately set amongst gardens, but still close to the main street of Bowral, this 1920s private residence turned boutique hotel is the perfect stay.

    Stay in one of Barranca’s private villas with views of rolling farmland overlooking the dramatic escarpment at Kangaroo Valley or be surrounded by native bushland (a short walk from the beach) in Jervis Bay.

    Speaking of beachside escapes, Headlands Hotel Austinmer Beach delivers unrivalled access to Wollongong’s beaches. These serviced apartments enjoy coastal views from spacious balconies.

    For something completely different again, check in at Cicada Luxury Camping . Stay in safari-style or large bell tents, each with a private fire pit and top-notch kitchen facilities. Outside, enjoy spectacular countryside views.

    Cicada Luxury Camping
    Unwind at Cicada Luxury Camping. (Image: DNSW)

    Discover more and plan your ultimate road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive and beyond at grandpacificdrive.com.au/grand.