Discover Gaia Retreat & Spa in NSW

Sponsored by Gaia Retreat & Spa December 5, 2018

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 is poised majestically amid stunning subtropical gardens on 10 hectares, proudly able to boast magnificent 360-degree views of the land below.

The experience

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 that defies words.

Scattered on a hilltop, Gaia boasts 23 beautifully appointed rooms, suites and villas set in lush subtropical rainforest gardens. The rooms are contemporary and elegant in style, designed to inspire a feeling of calm and balance. Each room is spacious and decorated in warm earth tones. There are several accommodation options available, 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, large outdoor decks and private treatment area. The fragrant garden surrounds make for very pleasant reading and relaxation time.

All rooms are stocked with robes, slippers and Gaia’s brand-new, all-natural, skincare range, Retreatment Botanics, which is simply delicious.

The 10-hectare property also offers a heated swimming pool, tennis court, spa, sauna, fitness yoga centre, naturopathic clinic, breathtaking lookouts, walking tracks and its own organic garden.

The treatments

At the heart of each Gaia experience is the multi-award-winning Gaia Day Spa, with 13 treatment rooms set in the fragrant gardens overlooking the tranquil pool and spa area. It has enticed some of the finest healers and therapists in Australia, offering an extensive menu of more than 50 therapeutic and natural-healing treatments for both men and women.

Gaia is one of Australia’s most awarded boutique lifestyle pamper retreats, and central to the unique experience is that Gaia Retreat & Spa creates a place where you own the experience — 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. You can have active and energetic or tranquil and serene — or perhaps a tempting combination of both. There are pursuits aplenty including tai chi, boxing, yoga, cooking classes and clay sculpture. Alternately, treatments 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. Our dedicated and passionate practitioners ensure you are restored, pampered and educated to reach your optimal level of health.

The food

A highlight of the Gaia experience is the uniqueness of the award-winning cuisine, fusing culinary passion with subtle colourful flavours. In fact, Gaia Retreat & Spa has received some prestigious food awards including the Spa Traveller Best Wellness Cuisine 2015, Wellness Travel Awards Best Nutrition 2015 and, more recently, the World Luxury Spa & Restaurant Award for Global Winner Health & Wellness Cuisine 2017 — fantastic timing, really, as it comes in light of the release of the new Gaia Spa Cuisine — Celebrated Recipes cookbook release.

All gourmet meals are served in Kukura House, the central meeting room lodge where everyone gathers. Each meal is a culinary experience in itself. The day begins with a sumptuous buffet and hot breakfast, followed by a light lunch, while the evening unfolds with a luxurious three-course fine-dining experience. The Gaia approach to food is hearty and healthy with in-house chefs personally choosing the freshest organic produce available from the retreat’s organic garden as well as from several local orchards and plantations. The menu changes daily and is customised to each individual’s preferences, desires and special dietary requirements.

The location

Gaia Retreat & Spa provides guests with a unique and safe space to realign themselves physically, spiritually and emotionally. Attracting visitors from all corners of the globe, Gaia’s approach is to guide each guest on a personal journey where they choose their own experience.

Gaia’s land begs to be explored. From educational walks around the organic vegetable garden to the beautiful lookout peak and meditation deck, the atmosphere is calm and tranquil. Unlike in some health retreats, Gaia’s guests aren’t confined to quarters so if you’re feeling a bit more active and up for a little hike, the small township of Newrybar is a great destination for a real coffee and some window shopping.

Things to remember

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 individual guest’s needs as requested, therefore a range of spa treatments or focus add-ons can be added for an extra cost at any stage.

Gaia Day Spa is also open for day guests who choose to simply enjoy the facilities for a day and indulge in Gaia’s large range of more than 50 treatments and healing modalities on offer.

Getting there

Gaia Retreat & Spa is located at 933 Fernleigh Road, Brooklet, only a short 15-minute drive from Byron Bay, less than 30 minutes from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport and around 60 minutes from Coolangatta, Gold Coast Airport. There is a host of transfer options available, including luxurious limousine services that are either part of the retreat packages or can be arranged upon request.