Still feeling the hangover of 2020? A beachside wellness retreat with the girls is just the cure for your frazzled mind and fatigue.
Being by the ocean always makes you want to be a little bit healthier. Mornings are better spent strolling along the sand or going for a surf and the açai bowls and smoothies taste so much fresher. So it makes sense that the Surf Coast attracts hordes of wellness seekers, searching for health and healing by the sea.
Whether it’s the curative powers of the salt water and sea breeze or simply being surrounded by nature, the Surf Coast is the perfect place to find a little calm. So grab your girlfriends, take a breather from city life and make a holiday out of it. And yes, you are allowed to celebrate your new found zen with cocktails (hey, if there’s fruit in them then they’re healthy!)
From weekend-long immersive wellness retreats to afternoons being pampered at the spa, these are some of our favourite ways to bliss out on the Surf Coast. This really is a choose-your-own-wellbeing-adventure so pick what works for you or mix and match a few experiences — it’s your body, baby!
To help you… reconnect.
It’s Sunday afternoon and the sun is just starting to set on the most amazing weekend spent with your closest friends. You feel rested and your heart is a little fuller than when you arrived, thanks to hours spent hopping between the yoga studio, meditation garden and mineral pool.
This is The Summer House. A wellness retreat tucked away inside a beautiful country-style homestead in the beachside town of Jan Juc. Rent out the whole place to yourselves for a boutique retreat experience or attend one of the lifestyle retreats. From yoga to meditation, mindfulness, hypnotherapy and wellbeing, you can choose the perfect theme to help you disconnect from the outside world and get in tune with your body.
Plus, The Summer House hosts some of the best chefs and caterers on the Surf Coast who will nourish you with beautiful fresh food throughout your stay. Yum!
To help you… block out the noise of the world.
When what you need is a sanctuary from the stresses of everyday life, Lux Spa & Wellness is a place to escape. They have both wellness retreats and day spa treatments to suit whatever nourishing you need.
At Lux, everything is inspired by Anglesea’s gorgeous natural surroundings. Listen to the sounds of nature in the River, Forest, Ocean, Woodlands and Waterfall rooms and let your mind be whisked away.
And who said your wellness journey had to end at the spa door? Guests are encouraged to venture outside and explore the lovely beaches and limestone cliffs of Anglesea. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can even try bush walking or mountain biking on your wellness journey.
To help you… feel glam again.
If you prefer your spa treatments with a serving of stellar views, then hightail it to RACV One Spa in Torquay. Pop in after your morning surf to soothe your aching muscles with a massage, or make a day out of it with a selection of luxurious beauty treatments.
One Spa offers all your go-to treatments including remedial and relaxation massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, waxing and body treatments, plus a few other treats for the body and soul. Try a Japanese ritual ‘geisha tub soak’ or visit the thermal stone room. When you’re finished being pampered, spend some down time in the lounge overlooking the crashing waves of the ocean and lush 18-hole golf course.
If you want to feel extra special for a night out on a town, they’ll even do your makeup. How chic is that?
To help you… be nurtured by nature.
If you want more to your getaway than just beauty treatments, why not try a wellness nature tour? Incorporating all the best bits of a wellness retreat and a nature tour, this one is for the intrepid explorers.
But going on an outdoor adventure doesn’t mean you have to rough it. With Revitalise Escapes, you get to explore the incredible sights of the Surf Coast before unwinding with a spa or healing treatment. You’ll explore beaches and rainforests and take part in rejuvenating yoga classes and mindfulness beach walks with an itinerary designed to recharge your batteries.
And while you might want to Instagram those drop-dead-gorgeous views, consider making this one a digital detox. You’ll be surprised how much easier your body can sink into relaxation mode when you’re not peeking at your notifications every ten seconds.
To help you… have a dollop of fun alongside your fitness.
Did you really think we’d skip this iconic health hub? Lorne has hosted wellness lovers since the 1930s and for good reason. The sea baths absolutely scream good-old-fashioned holiday fun.
If you and your pals can’t agree on what to do on your girls trip, this spot will keep everyone happy. The sea baths are right in the heart of Lorne, nestled front and centre on the foreshore so they’re a great home base for exploring the seaside town. It’s okay, we won’t judge if you want to duck off to the shops (or the pub for that matter!)
While half your group indulges in massages, salt therapy and yoga sessions, the others can spend their day relaxing poolside. Or better still, embrace your inner child and bounce around on the trampolines. It’s a seriously good workout.
Well, what are you still doing here? Get that weary body to the Surf Coast, stat! If anyone asks, tell them we wrote you a prescription for a beach holiday, three morning yoga sessions and remedial massages as needed.
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Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.
