From Muay Thai training in Koh Samui to camel rides in Port Stephens, One Playground’s new Destination One retreats are bringing together fitness, recovery and travel in a fresh take on a typical wellness getaway.
One Playground has built its reputation on sleek, design-led wellness spaces across Sydney, but its latest venture expands its fitness philosophy far beyond the gym floor.
The super boutique gym chain has announced its evolution into the wellness travel space with “Destination One", a collection of retreats spanning coastal destinations in NSW as well as an international getaway to Thailand.
Carving out its own niche in the wellness world, One Playground aims to combine performance and recovery with experiences informed by destination, designed to leave guests feeling both challenged and restored.
We spoke to the coaches and team behind the concept to learn more about the retreats and why wellness-focused travel is striking a chord with Australians right now.
Angela Aho, Thailand coach.
Ariel Corneau, Port Stephens coach.
Gabby Roux, South Coast coach.
Joey Bowling, Port Fitness coach.
Jose Da Rocha, Thailand coach.
Matt Gardner, South Coast coach.
Camel riding, firewalking and Muay Thai
While One Playground’s coach-led, community philosophy underpins all three retreats, each has its own curated schedule.
The Port Stephens retreat, led by mobility specialist Ariel Comeau and seasoned boxing coach Joey Bowling, makes the most of the region’s coastal landscape. Hosted at The Ambers, a private five-acre, family-owned estate, the retreat takes place in a setting that Comeau says “perfectly aligns with the experience we want to create."
Guests can expect a mix of “outdoor experiences and adventure-based activities with the natural landscape of Port Stephens", from “camel riding along the beach and coastal walks to sunrise mobility sessions by the water".
Bowling is equally excited about the downtime, highlighting the “chef-made breakfast" after morning workouts, access to “the pool, the sauna and massages" and a final-night “Mexican fiesta with a non-negotiable dancing party!"
Immerse yourself in a wellness retreat nestled on a breathtaking five-acre estate at The Ambers.
The second New South Wales retreat heads to Gerringong, where guests will stay at Seacliff House, a secluded coastal sanctuary with sweeping views and a resort-style pool.
Destination coach Gabby Roux says participants can expect “performance-style training sessions, functional fitness, partner and team-based challenges, recovery and nervous system work, mindset workshops and breathwork."
Roux is particularly excited about the retreat’s “signature fireside evening and firewalking experience", adding: “The workouts are not just about fitness, they are designed to build resilience, trust, confidence, and self-belief."
Seacliff House is just two hours easy drive south of Sydney CBD.
The most ambitious of the three retreats takes guests to a luxury beachfront villa in Koh Samui. Alongside chef-prepared meals, an infinity pool and a catamaran day trip, participants will take part in strength training, recovery sessions and Muay Thai coaching.
Led by Jose Da Rocha, the Koh Samui retreat places a strong emphasis on cultural immersion, with the expert coach stating that local experiences will play “a massive role".
He tells us, “Thailand has such a strong connection to wellness, recovery and Muay Thai culture, which aligns perfectly with the style of retreat we wanted to create."
“Members will experience the culture, food, scenery and energy of Koh Samui through group dinners, local excursions, island experiences and activities that showcase the best parts of Thailand."
Fitness sessions at Baan Kilee.
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The growing appeal of wellness travel
The launch of Destination One comes at a time when Australians are increasingly seeking holidays that offer more than an escape.
According to Jayden Abonyi, One Playground’s Growth Marketing Executive and the driving force behind the concept, travellers are becoming more intentional about how they spend their time away.
“Post-COVID especially, people seem to value doing things that feel meaningful, social and memorable. Travel is part of that, but so is looking after yourself," he says.
“They want structure, movement, good food, recovery, connection and a sense that the time away has actually done something for them."
Wellness travel is becoming a top trend.
That growing appetite for wellness travel is also broadening who these experiences are designed for. While Destination One grew out of the One Playground community, the retreats are open to everyone, not just gym members.
Koh Samui coach Da Rocha emphasises that “You absolutely do not need to be an elite athlete or have Muay Thai experience to join", while Port Stephens coach Comeau believes the most important quality is simply “openness" and a willingness to step outside of routine.
That inclusivity reflects a broader shift in wellness travel. Experiences are increasingly being designed around participation rather than performance, with the focus on trying something new, building healthy habits and engaging more deeply with a destination (and ourselves).
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Retreat details
Port Stephens (August 27-30): features structured training, recovery sessions, mindset workshops, shared meals and time in nature. This getaway is all-inclusive excluding transport.
South Coast (September 10-13): combines elite training with high-performance mindset work. This getaway is all-inclusive excluding transport.
Koh Samui (October 12-18): centred around strength and conditioning, Muay Thai, recovery sessions and luxury wellness experiences. Excludes flights, includes airport transfers.
Costs:
Port Stephens: Rooms from $2999
South Coast: Rooms from $2250
Koh Samui: Rooms from $4499
Booking:
Join the waiting list here, and a member of the One Playground team will reach out within 48 hours.
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Isabelle is a travel and culture writer whose work has appeared in Sydney Travel Guide, Cruise & Travel and the The New Zealand Herald. Born and raised in London, but now living in Sydney, she loves exploring Australia, whether that’s pitching a tent under the stars, tackling a coastal hike or going for an ocean dip. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English Literature from Durham University, where she served as Director of Commentary for the arts and culture magazine Wayzgoose.
Thredbo in summer is a nature lover’s dream of show-stopping alpine beauty, cool mountain air and magical moonlit adventure.
For many of us, Thredbo calls to mind shimmering slopes and snow-dusted gums, but come summer, this Alpine resort transforms into a playground of an entirely different kind. A cool mountain retreat despite the season, Thredbo summer hikes are astonishingly beautiful, criss-crossing over dramatic peaks, pristine glacial lakes and abundant flora and fauna.
From approachable tracks for novice walkers to more challenging hikes across the Main Range and even journeys under moonlight, Thredbo puts on an unforgettable show of natural splendour all summer. Lace up your walking boots and take the chairlift from Thredbo village to embark on a self-guided exploration or a tour of the Snowy Mountains’ most compelling landscapes.
These eight unforgettable hiking experiences are only available in summer and offer an alpine adventure like you’ve never experienced before.
1. Full Moon Hike to Mt Kosciuszko
Stand atop Mt Kosciuszko at full moon.
There’s something almost mystical about hiking by the light of a full moon. This guided experience begins with a 15-minute chairlift ride, where you’ll admire the Thredbo Valley below, bathed in the fading sun.
Once at the top, you’ll pass rivers, alpine lakes and spot nocturnal wildlife on your way to the Kosciuszko Lookout and Lake Cootapatamba. By the time you reach the summit, sunset is well underway as you watch day give way to night and the alpine landscape magically illuminated by the lunar glow. Enjoy a hot chocolate here before following the path back to Eagles Nest, brightened by the night sky.
The only thing that could level up the celestial beauty of a full moon hike would be a super full moon hike. Following the same route, you’ll meet the moon when it is largest and closest to Earth by ascending to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko at an elevation of 2228 metres. From such a height, it almost feels as though you could reach out and touch its glowing surface.
Given the rarity and splendour of the super full moon, limited spots fill up fast for this awe-inspiring hike, so be sure to book the 5 December in advance.
3. Lunar Eclipse Hike
See dazzling celestial displays.
What could be more extraordinary than witnessing a lunar eclipse from Australia’s highest peak? Whether you’re a keen astronomer or simply revel in nature’s beauty, this guided 13-kilometre hike will place you on top of Mount Kosciuszko just as Earth passes between the sun and moon, throwing shade over the lunar surface before transforming it with a deep-red hue.
It’s an epic place to witness one of our galaxy’s most spectacular and rare light shows. Apart from the dazzling celestial display, you’ll also enjoy walking through the moon-bathed landscape, an evening chairlift ride, and a hot chocolate at the summit.
Book now for 3 March.
4. New Moon Hike
Catch the changing skies of a new moon.
A stargazer’s delight, the darkness of a new moon gives the Milky Way full permission to dazzle with its shimmering display. Both astronomers and photographers will relish this opportunity to observe and capture the starry skyscape from the lofty height of Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. Departing Thredbo Village at dusk and leaving its twinkling lights far below, you’ll arrive at the summit in time to see the sun slip away and the stars appear.
Embark on a gentle entry into the Snowy Mountain scenery with an amble along the Thredbo River. This self-guided hike hugs the river and wanders along the valley floor, revealing snow gum forests, swimming holes and little waterfalls that make for revitalising cold plunges in the summer heat.
6. Merritts Nature Track
Stop at swimming holes along the way.
On warm summer days, venturing into the cooler air of Thredbo’s alpine tracks offers relief from the heat. Particularly if you set course for the four-kilometre Merritts Nature Track, where there are opportunities to take a refreshing dip in swimming holes along the way.
The two-to-three-hour self-guided hike meanders through towering ancient trees (dubbed the ‘Pixie Forest’ by locals), takes in stunning mountain vistas and is soundtracked by the melody of birdsong. Stop for a picnic and discover a hidden natural infinity pool, the location of which is given away by the roar of a cascading waterfall.
7. Mt Kosciuszko Summit Tour
Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko’s summit.
While you can easily steer yourself to Australia’s most iconic peak without a guide, following an expert guide to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko will colour your experience with a deeper knowledge of the landscape and its wild inhabitants. The 13-kilometre return trail puts the alpine scenery on display with 360-degree views from the highest spot in the country.
The walk begins at the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift and takes around four to six hours to complete, but is gentle enough to be embarked upon by all ages.
8. Snowies Alpine Walk Experience
Join a two- or three-day experience along Snowies Alpine Walk.
If you’re looking to truly untether from daily life and embark on a real immersion in Thredbo’s stunning alpine scenery, pack your hiking boots for the newest multi-day walk in the mountains. The Snowies Alpine Walk can be tackled over two or three days and includes nightly accommodation in the iconic Thredbo Alpine Hotel, daily buffet breakfast, packed lunch and dinner vouchers, plus daily transfers to and from trail heads in a brand-new Defender.
The two-day experience covers 24 kilometres, while the three-day experience almost doubles that at 44 kilometres. Along the way, explore barely trod landscapes, vast high-country plains and uplifting mountain horizons.
