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

Explore some of Australia’s most stunning coastlines on this epic route.

This scenic, 1800-kilometre Brisbane to Port Douglas road trip takes in some of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes, from the wildlife on Bribie Island to the rainforests of Far North Queensland. Our advice? Slow it down, take your time and really get to know this part of Australia.

Day 1: Brisbane to Noosa

Wake up in the luxurious Sofitel Brisbane Central , enjoy a hot buffet breakfast and a swim in the outdoor pool before hitting the road to travel north. Take the exit to Bribie Island to view the abundant wildlife.

aerial view of bribie island — Enjoy the beauty and animals of Bribie Island. (Image: TEQ)

In the afternoon, check into Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas hidden near Noosa National Park and spend the afternoon relaxing at the luxury Aqua Day Spa. Daredevils can book a seat on an Ocean View Helicopters tour and experience the adrenaline of exploring the Glasshouse Mountains from the air.

Before dinner, head to the Original Eumundi Markets just 25 minutes away or explore the nearby trails in the national park. For dinner, book a table at Park & Cove located just near your hotel and feast on a locally-sourced menu that changes with the seasons.

table spread at Park & Cove Novotel Sunshine Coast — Refuel at Park & Cove.

Day 2: Noosa to Bundaberg

Wake up to sounds of the rainforest outside your window and take the opportunity for a quick swim before you dive into a freshly cooked buffet breakfast at Park & Cove. After breakfast and an expertly brewed coffee, stroll down the hill and spend the morning shopping along Hastings Street in the various boutiques, or hire a kayak or surfboard and conquer the waves.

After lunch, head north for the three-hour drive to historic Bundaberg . If you feel like feeding a kangaroo or wallaby, visit the Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary . Once in Bundy, head to Spitter’s Farm just outside of town. This 160-acre property offers a unique experience in their deluxe glamping safari tents, where you can listen to the cows mooing as the sun sets.

baby kangaroo at australian wildlife Sanctuary — Say hello to the adorable creatures of Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary. (Image: Jewels Lynch)

Day 3: Bundaberg to Rockhampton

Before getting back on the road, take time to visit the many museums, and, of course, the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery for a tour. Then head to the Beef Capital of Australia, Rockhampton.

Although, ‘Rocky’ is surrounded by beef cattle farms, your first stop should be to the impressive Rockhampton Museum of Art , which features an art collection valued at over $16 million. Rest your head at the centrally-located Mercure Rockhampton overlooking the mighty Fitzroy River. Grab a quick swim in their outdoor pool before enjoying a steak at their in-house restaurant.

Day 4: Rockhampton to Mackay

Grab a strong coffee at your hotel and drive the short distance to the nearby Capricorn Caves for a morning tour of these natural limestone beauties. Then hit the road for the four-hour drive to Mackay.

Reward yourself with a swim in the large, resort-style pool at the Mantra Mackay . Overlooking the marina, it’s the perfect location from which to explore the city, before enjoying a sundowner and dinner at the popular Latitude 21 on the hotel terrace.

woman exploring the Capricorn Caves in queensland — Explore the Capricorn Caves. (Image: TEQ)

Day 6: Mackay to Townsville

Grab your breakfast to go, then head just out of town to Finch Hatton Gorge. Here, spend the morning ziplining 25 metres above the rainforest floor with Forest Flying . Head to Airlie Beach for lunch and a swim in the famous Airlie Beach Lagoon , before heading north to Townsville.

Hop on a 20-minute ferry – they leave regularly – and check into the stunning Peppers Blue on Blue Resort . Spend the evening swimming in their two pools with views across the private marina to Mount Cook National Park, before feasting on fresh seafood at their on-site restaurant, Boardwalk Restaurant and Bar.

aerial view of beach at Airlie Beach queensland — Dive into the crystal clear waters around Airlie Beach. (Image: TEQ)

Day 7: Townsville to Cairns

After a morning swim on one of Magnetic Island’s beautiful beaches, hop back on the ferry and travel north to the sleepy Mission Beach for lunch. You’ll be sandwiched by rainforest on one side, and the beach on the other.

Continue on to Cairns and check in at the centrally-located Novotel Cairns Oasis, where the lagoon-style pool and swim-up bar alone is worth the visit. Or continue north for 25 minutes to the coastal village of Palm Cove.

Once there it’s a tough choice between the luxurious, five-star Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple, or the beautifully designed Peppers Beach Club and Spa Palm Cove , where the pool has its very own beach.

two people in deck chairs by Novotel Cairns Oasis' lagoon-style pool — Relax by Novotel Cairns Oasis’ lagoon-style pool.

Day 8: To Port Douglas

No matter where you spent the night, your journey to Port Douglas will be one of the most scenic road trips you’ll ever experience. Following the coastline, travel past champagne-coloured beaches, offshore islands and submerged reefs, before rolling into town at Port Douglas.

Although you’ll be spoilt for choice with hotels, two of the best are Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas, which is closer to town (think stunning pool and walking distance to Macrossan Street) and the famous, five-star Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa , located a little further down the beach. If the 3000-metre-squared lagoon-style pool isn’t enough at this hotel, you’ll also find the exclusive Vie Spa and popular restaurant, Aluco Restaurant & Bar , widely known as being one of the finest restaurants in Port Douglas.

aerial view of pool at Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple — Revive from road-tripping in one of the best pools in Port Douglas.

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