Be transformed by the rainforest surrounds and unique wellness offerings served up at the award-winning Eden Retreat.

The rain is gently landing on my head, sending up steam from the upper valley hot tub I’ve sat in for several blissful hours this afternoon, watching over the valley below and the mountains in the distance as the rain and mist roll in. Undeterred, whipbirds and magpies continue their occasional calls. Eden doesn’t begin to cover it.

I’m at Eden Retreat for the weekend, a wellness retreat that combines luxury accommodation, holistic spa therapies, wellness experiences, nutritious cuisine and nature immersion. It’s a craft they’ve honed well, as the oldest and longest-running health and wellness retreat in Australia. And there’s no more glowing report I can give than that I entered feeling exhausted and a little ground down by the everyday, and I left feeling more myself than I had in months.

Where is Eden Retreat?

Set in the heart of Currumbin Valley, World Heritage-listed Springbrook National Park sets a gorgeous natural scene for guests to slow down and reconnect with themselves. Enjoy uninterrupted views from the upper valley, which quickly became my favourite place on the property, but feel the rainforest around you everywhere.

Step mere metres from the front gates and walk for 10 minutes through the rainforest itself, stopping to swim at gorgeous natural rock pools. Longer trails nearby are also very popular with guests.

All this, and only a 30-minute drive from Gold Coast‘s Coolangatta Airport, or a 90-minute drive from Brisbane. Many guests arrived in their own cars, while others booked a shuttle service from the airport right up to Eden Retreat’s reception.

Style and character

Much like the activities, architecture at Eden Retreat is designed to integrate into the rainforest it sits in. Think matte-black, timber-clad cabins which blend seamlessly into the cleared green hillsides. While clean lines and contemporary style elevate the luxurious, almost Scandinavian feel.

Whether in your room, taking a yoga class or sitting down to dinner, there’s an indoor-outdoor flow to every building, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and large sliding glass doors. Lofty ceilings, stone features and brass fixtures continue the natural feel inside.

The rooms

Rooms range from standalone chalets and cabins to lodges and suites. They’re all positioned across the retreat’s landscape, divided into Lower Valley and Upper Valley. But what do they all have in common? They’re intentionally free of televisions and styled with freestanding tubs, indoor-outdoor fireplaces, and neutral, calming tones so that guests can stay unplugged and present in the moment.

Those wanting to really indulge can book into the Cascade Chalet, featuring a king-size bed, a custom open fireplace and a separate lounge area to unwind in. It also offers a larger bathroom, with the same free-standing tub, but additional dual showers, creating a spa-like space. And, of course, a private balcony is the perfect place to while away an afternoon.

Elsewhere, cabins include a queen-size bed, a freestanding bathtub and a private balcony. Suites are similar but offer a little more room, with two queen-size beds. In the upper valley, the Lodge upsizes the bed to a King, with Twin bay windows that draw in soft natural light and incredible valley views. It’s another great option for guests wanting a little extra room.

The facilities

Pools

There are two main pool areas, each equipped with a heated spa, a larger pool and a sauna.

The largest of these amenities can be found in what I’d call the main area of the property – where you’ll also find the gym, spa reception, plus the nearby dining room and activities hall. Here, the lap pool is kept at 25 degrees, the spa bath and sauna are both a little bigger, and you’ll find the addition of a cold plunge bath.

To me, though, it’s the amenities found up the hill, near the on-site cafe, that really steal the show. The infinity pool may be unheated, but its views over the rainforest, valley and mountains are unparalleled. Except, of course, for those provided by the very toasty spa bath, where I spent my time. The barrel-shaped sauna here is more suited for two at a time.

Daily activities

Every evening, guests receive a full daily program of activities for the following day. These activities are designed to enhance the experience, ranging from getting your body moving – like fitness classes with a PT at the sizeable on-site gym, Pilates and guided walks to the nearby natural rockpools – to self-improvement workshops – like sound healing, breath work, guided hot and cold therapies – to hands-on fun – like pottery classes and cooking demos.

Fill your whole day trying everything on the schedule, or pick and choose the ones you find most appealing.

The spa

In need of a little extra healing? Book a one-on-one treatment at the on-site spa. Here, you can book everything from regular spa offerings, like relaxation or hot stone massages. Or, you can really delve into the wellness of it all, like cryotherapy and breathwork/meditation sessions.

My personal favourite? Of the signature offerings that you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else, I had the absolute pleasure of being paired with Rachelle Kerr for a Ka-Huna Bodywork treatment. Rachelle lends the cultural practices of her Hawaiian roots to blend rhythmic bodywork with music, meditation and breathwork. All I can say is that it must also involve a little magic, of the best kind. It’s a beautiful blend of massage and therapy – leaving me feeling more like myself than I had in months. I cannot recommend it enough.

Right now, the main spa and treatment rooms sit in that main area of the retreat, but a brand new Eden Treehouse spa has just opened. Designed as a luxury treehouse for adults, the space is designed to immerse in nature while creating a private setting for some of Eden’s most restorative wellness experiences.

Here, guests can book couples spa treatments for the first time at Eden, as well as private sound meditation sessions, guided mindfulness experiences and intimate stargazing beneath the hinterland’s night skies. All perched high above the Currumbin Valley. Views and life-altering therapies? Sign me up.

Dining

Stays at the luxury wellness retreat include all meals prepared by award-winning chefs using local ingredients. Meals are fresh, tasty and, of course, healthy. The seasonal menu focuses on being high in protein and using gut-friendly ingredients, alongside fibre-rich whole foods, plant diversity and fermented ingredients. Many of the fresh herbs, leafy greens and vegetables are harvested from the Retreat’s own market garden, as a nice touch.

Think sashimi-grade tuna poke bowl with pickled carrot and radish, avocado, house-made furikake, yuzu and miso dressing. Or grass-fed beef fillet with beetroot and raspberry purée, crispy potato pavé, roasted and charred baby beetroot, pickled shallot, horseradish crème fraiche, hazelnut and market garden herb crunch, finished with bone broth reduction. Dietary needs are catered for; as a vegetarian, I received a variation of the regular dishes.

Hot, cold and sparkling waters are on tap, along with the most intriguing library of teas. But don’t worry, plunger coffee is available at breakfast.

If that’s not enough, pop up the hill to the retreat’s on-site cafe, Nourish, where you can purchase barista-made coffee and other hot drinks (hello, matcha latte), as well as a small range of snacks. It’s actually just such a beautiful space, with comfy couches and tables looking out onto the rainforest-clad valley below, that we also found it a wonderful place to sit, chat, birdwatch and play some board games.

Unless guests request a picnic, all provided meals are taken in the shared dining room. Here, you can choose to join other guests at large tables and get social, or enjoy your own orbit at smaller tables. For the anxious among us (myself included), I know the first thought with an option like this is whether you’ll be judged for choosing to dine alone, or with your own party. The answer, I found, was absolutely not. Join in when you feel like it, enjoy your own peace when you feel like it – it’s your journey, and everyone will respect that.

Is Eden Retreat accessible for guests with disabilities?

Thanks to its steep, rainforest terrain, Eden Retreat has limited accessibility. Contact the staff directly before booking to discuss your specific mobility needs.

Is Eden Retreat family-friendly?

While there are plenty of couples, sisters, friends and even parents with their adult children, this is the kind of place where you really need to be able to focus on your own self-improvement. Which is why the retreat is restricted to adults 18 and older only.

Details

Best for: Adults seeking a reset in beautiful surrounds.

Address: 1815 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Valley, QLD 4223

Phone: 1800 074 157

Cost: Prices start around $2600 for a three-night stay, reaching upwards of $4690 for longer seven-night packages, per person. Prices do include all meals and the daily roster of workshops and activities.

Where to book: Find more details and make a booking on the Eden Retreat website.