Heal at Gaia Retreat and Spa in Byron Bay, NSW

Sponsored by Gaia Retreat & Spa July 16, 2019

Nestled amid lush green valleys and undulating hills in the fertile hinterland of Byron Bay in northern NSW, the multi-award-winning Gaia Retreat & Spa sits majestically amid stunning subtropical gardens, proudly able to boast magnificent 360-degree views of the land below. Conveniently located less than a 30-minute drive from Ballina Byron airport in NSW and an hour from Gold Coast airport in Queensland, the winding climb up to the property may feel like you’re on a journey towards a magical castle with Gaia’s nurturing, healing energy being immediately present and strong.

Gaia’s extraordinary setting goes beyond the lush rolling hills and breathtaking vistas of the Byron Bay hinterland. The region is famed as the healing capital of Australia – abundant in organic foods, talented therapists and a unique spirit. These are gifts of this very special region that are wholeheartedly embraced and incorporated into the Gaia experience and assets that appeal to a worldwide market.

The experience

Scattered on a hilltop, Gaia boasts 25 beautifully appointed rooms, suites and villas set among lush subtropical rainforest gardens. The accommodation is contemporary and elegant in style, designed to inspire a feeling of calm and balance. Each room is spacious and decorated in warm earthy tones. There are several accommodation options depending on your budget. These range from the elegant but modest Layana Rooms right through to the luxurious Komala Villas that feature their own private saltwater plunge pools, luxurious reclining baths, large outdoor decks and private treatment areas. The fragrant garden surrounds make for very pleasant reading and relaxation time. All rooms are extremely well presented and appointed. Most include televisions, DVD players (DVDs, CDs and books can be borrowed from the main library) and sound systems. All are stocked with robes, slippers and a range of Gaia’s new, all-natural and organic luxury skincare products —Retreatment Botanics — that are simply divine. At the heart of each Gaia experience is the multi-award-winning Gaia Day Spa with 14 treatment rooms, set in the fragrant gardens overlooking the tranquil pool and spa area. The Day Spa has attracted some of the finest healers and therapists in Australia, solidifying its reputation as a top day spa, named the World’s Best Day Spa by the World Spa Awards four years in a row (2015-2018). There’s an extensive menu of more than 50 therapeutic and natural healing treatments for both men and women, each offering guests a unique experience guaranteed to enhance their health and wellbeing. Gaia Retreat & Spa’s main area, Kukura House — ancient Sanskrit for “people” — is the main meeting place where everyone gathers. The Samoan-style contemporary longhouse is home to the reception, relaxing lounges and library and exudes easy-living comfort during the day and becomes a fine-dining experience in the evening. Elegantly decorated, Kukura House is contemporary, sleek and spacious yet warm and welcoming. The 25-acre (10 hectare) property also features a heated swimming pool, grand-vista yoga room, spa, sauna, tennis court, fitness centre, naturopathic clinic, breathtaking lookouts, walking tracks and organic gardens.

The treatments

Gaia is one of Australia’s most-awarded boutique pamper retreats, giving you the choice and flexibility to completely personalise your experience. Check in any day, select an accommodation retreat package that suits you and let the team guide you. Gaia’s exceptional team of wellness professionals offer sage advice and a diverse range of inspiring revitalizing activities and services for you to enjoy. Gaia Retreat & Spa creates a place of heart where you own the experience — it’s a place to refocus, rebalance and truly restore. Guests can choose their own degree of rest, relaxation and pampering as every lifestyle and spa program is tailored specifically to the individual. Your program can be active and energetic or tranquil and serene — or perhaps a tempting combination of both. There are daily activities aplenty, whether you partake in tai chi, boxing, yoga, cooking classes or clay sculpture, the relaxed, caring staff is there to ensure you get the most out of your experience, with the right mix of fun and revitalisation. Treatments at the multi-award-winning Gaia Day Spa range from blissful full body massages and decadent facials to nurturing half-day Gaia signature packages such as the Gaia Goddess and Dreamtime Travel, aimed to delight and fulfil every spa lover’s dream — and convert anyone who had their doubts about what a spa experience can truly offer. Our dedicated and passionate practitioners ensure you feel restored, pampered and educated to reach your optimal level of health. Gaia offers various all-inclusive retreat packages ranging from two- to seven-day experiences or longer if you choose. These packages cover everything from accommodation, all gourmet meals and snacks to daily activities, morning yoga and select spa treatments. All packages are designed to be adjusted and tailored to the individual guest’s needs as requested, therefore a range of spa treatments or focus add-ons can be purchased at any stage. There are no set date schedules, you can check in and out any day. Gaia Day Spa is also open for day guests who choose to simply enjoy the facilities for one day and indulge in Gaia’s large range of more than 50 treatments and healing modalities on offer.

The food

Gaia’s kitchen at Kukura House creates stunning spa cuisine using delicious organic food sourced locally and from Gaia’s own organic gardens that nourish the body and the senses. The food on offer at Gaia fuses culinary passion with subtle yet colourful flavours, capturing the intensity of the dishes. This has made Gaia the winner of prestigious food awards including The Spa Traveller Best Wellness Cuisine 2015, Wellness Travel Awards Best Nutrition 2015 and more recently two World Luxury Restaurant Awards Global Winner Health and Wellness Cuisine 2017 and 2018’. Gaia’s award-winning head chef, Dan Trewartha, offers an exquisite authentic Australian spa cuisine experience with his innovative style of delicious food combinations now featured in the new Gaia Celebrate Recipes cookbook. All gourmet meals are served in Kukura House, the central meeting lodge where everyone gathers. The day begins with a sumptuous buffet and hot breakfast delighting even the most ferocious superfood enthusiast, followed by a light lunch setting the tone for relaxing afternoon spa treatments. Afterwards, the evening unfolds with a luxurious three-course fine-dining experience. The menu changes daily and is customised to each individual guest’s preferences, desires and special dietary requirements.

Getting there

Gaia Retreat & Spa is located a short 15-minute drive from Byron Bay, less than 30 minutes from Ballina Byron airport and approximately 60 minutes from Gold Coast airport. There are a host of transfer options available, including luxurious limousine services that are either part of the retreat packages or can be arranged upon request.