Finding the perfect place for a retreat, doesn’t have to be difficult.
When guided by a criteria that involves spacious common areas, beautiful nooks for solo down time and a location that people actually want to travel to, the list starts to narrow to a handful of firm favourites.
Whether you’re looking for somewhere to host your yoga or wellness retreat or want a ready-made option, read on for eight Slow Stays that make the ideal retreat location.
STILL AT FREYCINET
Coles Bay, TAS
Built on the principles of hygge, there’s every reason to plan a retreat to take place on the shores of Coles Bay in Tasmania at Still at Freycinet. Every element within this special Slow Stay has been designed for guests to slow down, recalibrate, reconnect and walk away feeling completely revived. With thick fluffy robes and an included sauna ritual pack you’re encouraged to do the ‘Nordic cycle’ between the cedar sauna and outdoor shower, interspersed with in-room massages, yoga classes, meditation sessions and degustation-style dinners, which can all be tailored on demand. Sleeping up to 10 guests, gather your fellow wellness seekers and make yourself a priority with a retreat here.
SUMMER HOUSE RETREAT
Jan Juc, VIC
Taking any uncertainty out of hosting a retreat, the Summer House Retreat in Jan Juc on Victoria’s iconic Surf Coast offers not only a bespoke venue in a renovated homestead, but also invaluable support and experience to help you deliver a successful retreat. Owner Debbie Fowler is a reputable retreat facilitator and is on hand to assist hosts; getting the ball rolling with her Retreat Planning Guide that is sent upon booking. In this practical blueprint, you’ll find how to create a seamless agenda for your stay, plus a rolling collective of recommended food, fitness, wellness and health professionals to bring your retreat to life—all delivered straight to your inbox. Stress-free organising doesn’t even begin to cut it.
ATELIER34
Black Mountain, QLD
Slipping away to a place where everything is about you and only you, doesn’t happen often (if ever!). And that is exactly what makes a solo stay at Atelier34 so special, along with a million other little reasons. Perched on a sloping block in bushland, about a 25-minute drive from Noosa’s main hub, this hand built cabin turns the gift of alone time into a beautiful DIY retreat. Slow down with a soak in the outdoor tub, sip a bottle of your favourite red on the deck as the sun disappears, cocoon in front of the fire with a steaming bowl of pasta, before diving onto the comfiest bed. Plan ahead and you’ll have the option to book a Nurture/Stay Package where your trip can be enhanced further with a relaxing massage, clay workshop or a scrumptious meal prepared just for you. If you’re longing for an uninterrupted getaway, where you are the captain of how each moment is spent, this Queensland Slow Stay is the ticket.
FARMHOUSE ON OXLEY
Oxley Island, NSW
Spacious, homely and with an incredible riverfront location, Farmhouse on Oxley is the ultimate rambling country house. Sitting on a 57-acre property on the NSW mid-north coast, it dishes up privacy and sprawling communal areas; perfect for your next retreat location. Sleeping up to 16 guests across three distinct zones and offering all the must-haves—wrap around verandah complete with porch swings, fire pit, canoes for a paddle in the river and a rolling list of Insta-worthy backdrops—when it comes to the setting, all the hard work has been done for you. From wellness retreats to artist workshops, this place was made for hosting larger groups.
EYRE WAY – YAMBARA
Eyre Peninsula, SA
Stepping away from the moody, into-the-woods cabins we’ve come to know and love, Yambara is a breath of fresh air. Placed in an expansive setting, overlooking Sleaford Bay and Port Lincoln National Park on the remote South Australian coastline, this tiny abode’s striking yet soft exterior will lure guests in with its calming nature. With enough room for four, book a trip with your closest friends and add-on The Retreat Package for a truly rejuvenating, all-encompassing wellness experience — think: yoga and meditation sessions, breath and rest workshop, private wellness guide, plus all your meals prepared. It’ll be impossible to leave feeling anything but relaxed.
CAMP ISLAND LODGE
Whitsundays, QLD
If a house or hotel just won’t do, book a stay at Camp Island Lodge and you’ll have exclusive access to 60 acres of stunning terrain and sandy beaches. During a retreat in the mesmerising Whitsundays, it’ll feel like you and your travelling buddies are the last people on Earth. Featuring four ensuite villas and catering to a maximum of eight guests, this remote Slow Stay has a way of unfurling even the most stressed-out guests. Having hosted luxury yoga retreats in the past and with a list of on-site facilities at your fingertips, if you’re looking for a point of difference for a retreat, this island getaway could be it.
HOMEOSTASIS
Tamborine Mountain, QLD
Nestled in the lush rainforest of Tamborine Mountain, this wellness house and cabin uses feng shui to create a harmonious balance across the property, making it the ideal retreat location for group yoga or perhaps a meditation course. Hire the entire site at Homeostasis Retreats and you and 10 guests will gain access to a five-bedroom house, cabin, organic gardens, wide-open outdoor areas and clay rendered bathhouses. Basically, relaxation is guaranteed. To assist with retreat planning, the owners behind this Homeostasis offer a Wellness Menu featuring a list of esteemed local practitioners and a curated selection of food and drinks which can be pre-ordered from nearby producers.
INJIDUP SPA RETREAT
Yallingup, WA
With tranquil ocean vistas, private plunge pools and in-house yoga classes, when it comes to luxury retreat locations you won’t be able to look away from Injidup Spa Retreat. Set above the pristine Injidup Beach and along the stunning Cape to Cape track in the Margaret River Region, this secluded escape boasts 10 self-contained villas and an unforgettable location for a life-changing, soul-filling getaway. Take your offering to the next level and lock in private chefs and restorative treatments at the on-site Bodhi day spa for a truly indulgent experience.
CASIS RED HILL
Red Hill, VIC
Named after a quaint fishing village in the South of France, Cassis Red Hill does things a little differently to your standard retreat destination. You’ll be staying in lavishly appointed villas but because there are no large communal spaces, all retreat sessions will happen off-site. Luckily, the Mornington Peninsula region is teeming with suitable collaborators to create a DIY retreat, like a neighbouring yoga studio, local wineries for decadent lunches and spa-worthy hot springs. In the spaces between, you’ll find postcard-worthy beaches and challenging hiking trails just a short drive away.
