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Australia’s first airport gym is about to land in Sydney

Taylah DarnellBy Taylah Darnell
Fit to fly just got a whole new meaning.

Forget overpriced iced coffee and wasted hours in the departure lounge. Travellers heading to Sydney Airport can now fit in a full workout before boarding at Australia’s first-ever airport gym – signalling a new era for air travel.

Inside Australia’s first airport gym

Australia's first airport gym in Sydney, NSW
Sydney will be home to Australia’s first-ever airport gym, which opens this March.

For decades, airport amenities have largely been confined to crowded cafes, overpriced retail outlets and slow-moving bathroom lines. But in an increasingly wellness-focused world, terminals are evolving into places that prioritise passenger well-being.

Leading the charge is Sydney Airport, now home to the first airport gym in Australia. Set to open on 11 March in the T1 International terminal, the space will run under one of the biggest gym chains in the country, operating eponymously as Anytime Fitness Sydney Airport.

“As Australia’s most welcoming and inclusive fitness network, we’re proud to support travellers and airport staff with a space designed to move, recharge and prioritise wellbeing," says Simon Thompson, managing director of Anytime Fitness Australia.

“Whether starting a long shift, passing through on a layover, or recovering from a long-haul flight, our Sydney Airport club brings our mission to life – making movement an accessible and essential part of every day."

Australia's first airport gym in Sydney, NSW
The facility will feature state-of-the-art machines and equipment.

The facility will span 300 square metres across two levels and offer a comprehensive gym experience, from state-of-the-art machines and free weights to showers and change rooms. Think open training zones, two lifting platforms and equipment from acclaimed brands like Life Fitness .

Once open, the gym will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The catch? You must be an active member of Anytime Fitness to gain access. Signing up is easy, though – memberships can cost as little as $20 a week and include access to over 600 clubs nationwide.

Why it’s good news for travellers

Plane interior
Exercising can ease the aches and pains of a long-haul flight. (Credit: Getty/Frazao Studio Latino)

For Aussies, the anticipation and excitement of an upcoming trip can be tainted by the long-haul flight that comes before it. After hours confined to a cramped cabin, many of us arrive feeling stiff, sore and utterly exhausted.

Exercise has long been shown to benefit both physical and mental health, supporting everything from strength and flexibility to mood regulation and cognitive function. So by allowing travellers to move before take-off, Anytime Fitness Sydney Airport should significantly mitigate the side effects of prolonged stints in the sky.

It’s all part of the brand’s core ethos: to make fitness accessible anytime, anywhere – to support members on their fitness journey, no matter where life takes them. That’s why Anytime Fitness has developed three exclusive new workouts designed specifically for air travel.

Australia's first airport gym in Sydney, NSW
The new gym at Sydney Airport aims to make fitness accessible anytime, anywhere.

The pre-flight routine focuses on preparing the body for extended periods of inactivity, with six simple exercises designed to boost circulation. The mid-flight menu shifts to movements that can mostly be done while seated, targeting the neck, shoulders, spine, hips and legs. After landing, the post-flight routine offers a restorative set of six exercises aimed at activating key muscle groups and awakening the body.

“We developed the ‘Fit to Fly’ routines to be low impact but still deliver the intensity needed to keep the body agile, energised and well-supported when travelling," says Ben Richards, national fitness and member experience manager.

“Travelling, especially long-haul flights, can lead to body stiffness and reduced mobility, so these three routines target the key muscle groups that support circulation and joint stability to support a more comfortable arrival."

The rise of airport wellness

Luxury airport lounge
Airport spaces are increasingly being designed with passenger wellness in mind. (Credit: Getty/Onur Dongel)

Gyms are just one ripple of the wellness wave that’s been sweeping through airports. Around the world, terminals are opening venues that put travellers’ needs first – and you don’t need access to any fancy airport lounges. Take Hamad International Airport in Doha, home to a dedicated vitality centre featuring a gym, jacuzzi, 25-metre lap pool and squash courts.

Then there’s San Francisco International Airport’s yoga rooms and curated wellness activities. London Gatwick Airport and its Aqua Salon Spa. Singapore Changi Airport’s suite of gardens, galleries, pools and sleeping pods. And now, Sydney Airport has its new gym. But it’s not the only thing passengers can enjoy inside the T1 terminal.

Barber's Lounge at Sydney Airport, NSW
Get a stylish haircut on the go at the Barber’s Lounge.

No time for a trim before your trip? No worries! Simply head to the recently opened Barber’s Lounge, where haircuts, beard trims and other grooming services are readily available. Also arriving in 2026 is ProfessioNail, a beauty salon specialising in manicures, pedicures and a range of other treatments that ensure passengers feel pampered and polished.

The latest wellness offerings at Sydney Airport hint at a future where the journey feels almost as good as the destination. Whether taking off or touching down, it’s clear that the way we experience air travel is being reimagined from the ground up – literally. So, what’s next? We’ll be patiently watching the departures board.

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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Your guide to what’s new and exciting this summer on the Central Coast

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

    Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

    Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

    1. Gosford’s glow up

    room at voco gosford
    Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

    Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

    Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

    Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

    Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

    2. Newcomers to the dining scene

    table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal
    Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

    The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

    Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

    Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

    Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

    3. New Central Coast experiences

    winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery
    Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

    It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

    Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

    Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

    For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

    4. Central Coast accommodation

    view from a cottage at Noonaweena
    Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

    There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

    Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

    In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

    To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

    5. Shopping on the Central Coast

    Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast
    Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

    For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

    Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

    Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

    Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

    For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

    Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .