Billabong Retreat
Relax and thrive in a natural wonderland at Billabong Retreat. Located a short 45-minute drive from Sydney in the suburb of Maraylya, this retreat combines yoga, meditation, whole-food meals and a variety of indulgent spa treatments designed to leave you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.
The experience
Billabong Retreat is nestled in the heart of the bush. This property is comprised of a series of buildings and cabins all designed to complement their natural tree-side surrounds, making it look almost as if the retreat grew naturally from the earth itself. The retreat overlooks a tranquil billabong, as the name would suggest, with guests invited to experience nature and walk down to the billabong’s shores via a choice of two paths — one titled “the easy way” and the other simply “the billabong”.
Visitors to Billabong Retreat can expect to be transformed via a series of yoga, meditation, mindfulness and wellness retreat programs that are inspired by ancient wisdom and grounded in modern science. This all takes place in a fully certified eco-retreat. At Billabong Retreat, environmental impact is minimised through conscious rainwater usage, water recycling and solar hot water and electricity.
Stay for one, two, three, four, five or seven nights in one of the retreat’s deluxe cabins perched on the cliff. Alternatively, get up close and personal with nature in the treehouse with ensuite or enjoy a cottage or lodge stay with shared and ensuite bath options available. Day retreats are also on offer.
The treatments
Begin your journey at Billabong Retreat by choosing one of their retreat programs designed to offer you clarity and connection. Subjects are varied, yet they have one thing in common: a clear dedication to connection with yourself through physical and mental practice. Retreat topics include subjects such as:
Freedom Through Yoga (Yoga Essentials retreat)
Transform Your Life (Mindfulness Essentials retreat)
Discover Your Intelligences (Mindfulness Essentials II retreat)
Living with Purpose (Mindfulness Essentials III retreat)
Stress Less, Thrive More (Stress Relief retreat)
Taking Care of Yourself (Self-care retreat)
Finding Stillness and Calm (Meditation Essentials retreat)
Recharge Your Life (Rejuvenation retreat)
Nourish Your Body (Wellness Essentials retreat)
Emotional Renewal (Cleansing Essentials retreat)
Finding Ease in Your Body (Deeper Yoga retreat II)
Each retreat program includes a specialised daily workshop in addition to twice-daily yoga classes and an evening meditation.
Billabong Retreat’s spa is a relaxation mecca, offering massages, facials and reiki for calming the mind and the body. Private yoga, meditation and naturopathy sessions are also on offer to allow you to tailor a wellness program that completely meets your needs. Each treatment is scheduled outside of the yoga and workshop session timeslots to ensure you can enjoy everything the retreat has to offer — or you can enjoy doing nothing if that’s what you require. Billabong Retreat is all about you.
The food
The food at Billabong Retreat is everything. Rest assured, this is no ordinary buffet. A delicious spread of nutritious and organic wholefoods is served at each meal, allowing you to choose your indulgence.
The Billabong Retreat kitchen team is on a mission to show you how delicious vegetarian food can be, and they do not disappoint. Breakfasts might include eggs, oats, chia porridge and pancakes, with lunch offerings as varied as moussaka and curry, nut loaf and miso. Dinners include soup, casserole or curry followed by a delicious and decadent dessert that is cooked with love.
For those who need a little something to get them through the day, organic fruit, teas, coffee and filtered water are available — perfect to enjoy with a bliss ball or two, one of the examples of a typical Billabong Retreat afternoon tea.
Billabong Retreat also caters to a range of dietary requirements and can produce food that is gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, sugar-free or vegan with prior notice.
Things to remember
A stay at Billabong Retreat is a transformational experience. To ensure that other guests have as little disruption to their stay as possible, guests at the retreat are only invited to check in or out on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Use of devices is not permitted in public areas and the resort does not offer Wi-Fi, to truly help you disconnect from the pressures of everyday life. Mobile 3G internet service is available but variable in the rooms. Phone coverage is always available for Optus and Telstra users in the car park.
Billabong Retreat is not suitable for children under 12 or pets. Pregnant women are more than welcome to attend, with the resort offering many pregnancy-friendly programs.
Getting there
Billabong Retreat is located a short 45-minute drive from the heart of Sydney in Maraylya. One parking space is allocated per cabin, and the roads to get there are all fully sealed. The nearest train station is Vineyard on the Western Line, a one-hour journey from Sydney’s Central train station. Alternatively, Rouse Hill metro station is a 15-minute trip.
For those catching a taxi from Sydney’s domestic airport terminal, Billabong Retreat is approximately one-and-a-half hours and $150 away.
Extra costs
Retreat prices start at $200 for a day pass and $300 for an overnight stay with a shared bathroom. This price includes linen and towels, all meals, drinks and snacks, plus twice-daily yoga, meditation and access to the retreat program. Spa treatments are available at an additional cost, with extra cabin guests (where permitted) charged at a rate of $200 per night.
Refunds are not permitted and date changes within 14 dates of your stay will incur significant charges. Billabong Retreat recommends travel insurance in case of illness.
Visit Billabong Retreat at billabongretreat.com.au
