Top Health Retreats on the Gold Coast

Turn off and tune into your body with a stay at a game-changing health retreat on the Gold Coast.

A steady wave of outdoor activities and indulgent, world-class dining can catch up with the best of us. The mightiest remedy? A few days, or one long one, spent under the guidance of a health retreat on the Gold Coast. Combining dazzling hinterland surroundings with a program of fine organic whole foods, healing therapies and all-important rest, these nourishing stays provide a lifetime of wisdom.

1. Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat

Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat pool — Find Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in the gorgeous Tallebudgera Valley. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

An endlessly adored health retreat on the Gold Coast catering to granola crunchers right around the world, Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat is a soul-soothing 202-hectare sanctuary within the gorgeous Tallebudgera Valley, perched upon a plateau and boasting extraordinary views all the way up and down the region.

The focus at Gwinganna, an Aboriginal term which translates to ‘lookout’, is to switch off and wind down– a mantra that guests will helplessly succumb to once they get a taste of what’s on offer. Sunrise Qigong (an ancient Chinese form of moving meditation) will set the tone of a morning before heading into an itinerary of wellness practices you can choose to fully embrace or take at your own pace.

Leading you deeper into the realms of tranquillity, a wide range – more than any other health retreat in Australia – of all-inclusive wellness packages spanning two to seven days and encompassing spa treatments, wellness seminars, cooking demonstrations, organic meals and snacks, wellness therapy specifically tailored to individual needs, plus accommodation, is on offer.

There are plenty of lodgings to choose from but each one is utterly delicious, with some offering their own private plunge pool, huge open deck, private golf buggy, deep-set soak tub, private steam room, infrared sauna and massage chair.

To make the most of your visit, book the popular seven-night ‘Gwinganna Detox’, priced from $4,340, which promises more inclusions than any other package, and if you’re keen for a quickie, there’s a two-night ‘Gwinganna Wellness Weekend’ priced from $1,285.

Address: 192 Syndicate Road, Tallebudgera Valley

2. Eden Health Retreat

Calming earthy tones fill the space inside the rooms at Eden health retreat — Calming earthy tones fill the space inside the rooms at Eden.

Driving up through the misty roads of the Currumbin Valley, surrounded by fairy tale farmland and the meandering Currumbin Creek, a dramatic stone wall pops up out of nowhere. Roll down its driveway and you’ll land at Eden Health Retreat , an ethereal 400-acre space that works to reconnect you with nature and everything else your body’s craving through holistic health care.

Arguably the most sophisticated health retreat on the Gold Coast, this hinterland hideaway features a range of contemporary cabins and lodges, each immaculately furnished against an earthy colour palette.

The Premier range, the newer of the two accommodation builds, is creamy, with minimalistic glam inside but bold and moody outside. The Deluxe lodges, meanwhile, swing country chic, however deep-set bathtubs, spacious living areas and sweeping views out across the valley come with both.

Daily wellness classes spanning breathwork, water fitness, sound healing, health forum sessions and more, access to a beautiful spa, gym, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a sauna and a steam room, plus outdoor activities including mud therapy, a flying fox, glow worm spotting and rainforest meditations, are all at your fingertips. And don’t miss a stroll through Eden’s rock labyrinth too, an exercise in mindfulness that will lead you into the centre of a circle, intended to mirror one’s own core self.

Then there’s the food, glorious food. A customised program that’s tailored to your specific needs, feeds you five times each day via exquisite dishes made from locally sourced produce and fuelled with all the nutrients under the sun. This is self-care in the most extraordinary of forms. Stays including everything mentioned above start from $3,200 for four nights.

Address: 1815 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Valley

3. Nirvana Wellbeing Retreat

Nirvana Wellbeing Retreat Gold Coast — Verdant landscapes surround the wellness retreat.

Homing in on the ancient Indian art of Ayurveda medicine, Nirvana Wellbeing Retreat is a mountain refuge located 50 minutes by car from Surfers Paradise. Offering 14 individual rooms inside a character-filled old Queenslander, this place may be less luxurious than other local wellness escapes, but what it lacks in opulence it makes up for in restorative health expertise.

Decorated with Hindu-inspired artworks and bright patterned bedding, and fitted out like a family home, this health retreat on the Gold Coast offers four packages that run from two to 10 days; the ‘Ayurveda and Yoga Retreat’, priced from $2,450 for seven nights, the ‘Mindfulness Meditation & Healing Retreat’, priced from $1,400 for four nights, the ‘Ayurvedic Education and Vegetarian Cooking Retreat’, priced from $695 for two nights, and the ‘Weekend Retreat’, also priced from $695 for two nights.

Homemade, plant-based meals crafted from local produce and served within the home’s dining room, Ayurvedic treatments including an array of heavenly massages, yoga classes and relaxation therapy are all included in most packages, but that’s if you can peel yourself away from its lush grounds, simply begging to be basked in.

Address: 87 Binna Burra Road, Beechmont

4. Numala Forest Retreat

Keen to recharge but can’t stomach a restrictive diet? Numala Forest Retreat is less than a 20-minute drive from Burleigh Heads and offers a pared-back health retreat on the Gold Coast filled with varied wellness therapies and a gorgeous place to spend the night.

Surrounded by lush bushland and multiple calming creeks, the eight-acre Numala is home to a weekly roster of natural therapy classes, including yoga, meditation, sensory energy healing, Bowen and Reiki, but its trump card is a private guesthouse that can be booked for a solo or couples’ getaway, complete with private classes.

The retreat’s owner strives to help guests find their inner peace through a healthy dose of fresh air, natural wonders, and those deeply restorative classes, so you can expect plenty of picturesque downtime amid your learnings.

Inside the guesthouse, built to encourage relaxation, a warm, inviting space features a queen-sized bed, electric blankets, and a fully equipped kitchen. And if you can’t stay the night, full-day Numala packages, including the ‘Breathe, Move and Connect Within’ which explores several forms of yoga, are also an option. Guesthouse prices start from $449 per night.

Address: 120 Davenport Drive, Bonogin

5. On Eagle Wings Mountain Retreat & Spa

If you can spare just one full day, On Eagle Wings Mountain Retreat & Spa is a little slice of heaven in the historical town of Mudgeeraba, situated about 20 minutes from Surfers Paradise. Offering extensive hinterland views from one sensational swimming pool decorated with cushioned lounges and pillows, the Gold Coast health retreat is worth visiting for the pool alone – but the full-day packages are wonderful too.

Both the ‘Restoration Day Spa Package’ and the ‘Cleopatra Spa Package’ provide sustenance for the soul from 9.30am to 5.30pm, crafting itineraries spilling over with detoxifying treatments like an infrared sauna, hydrotherapy mineral spa and mud wraps, plus a vegetarian lunch and raw dessert, varied spa treatments and glasses of sparkling wine to wash it all down. Prices start from $579 per person, per package.

Address: 59 Lowry Court, Mudgeeraba

6. Greenhouse The Bathhouse

Sauna at Greenhouse The Bathhouse — Steam the stress away inside the saunas at Greenhouse The Bathhouse.

A luxe, Instagram-friendly day spa frequented by the chicest of Gold Coast locals, Greenhouse The Bathouse is a stunning contemporary space dressed with Palm Springs-inspired cacti and further desert blooms.

A palette of white, greenand rattan creates a haven dedicated to self-care where 90-minute ‘Soak Sessions’ see guests rotate through hydrotherapy spas, a steam room, a red cedar sauna, a magnesium plunge pool, and an incredibly inviting outdoor lounge area.

They also offer a range of specialised health retreats such as the three-hour ‘Full Moon Alchemy Retreat’ which invites wellness seekers to wholly awaken themselves and “unlock inner guidance" through their signature soaking as well as crystal healing, guided meditation, Reiki, soothing sound and more.

Plus, you’re always well-nourished during a Greenhouse The Bathhouse retreat as beautiful tea and treats are presented. Prices start from $88, and new retreats are added to its evolving, ongoing program regularly.

Address: 7/37 Tallebudgera Creek Road, Burleigh Heads

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

Hit refresh at these top health retreats on the Gold Coast