Translating to ‘spirit of Mother Earth’, Gaia Retreat & Spa is an award-winning holistic sanctuary in the Australian countryside. While detox and weightloss is one of the key focuses of this retreat, there’s such a variety that there’s something for everyone from mothers and daughters to healthy honeymooners. Check out CompareRetreats.com’s review of Gaia and find your perfect programme.
Location
Located in the ‘healing heartland’ of Australia, Gaia Retreat is nestled in a 25-acre resort in the Bundjalung Country hinterland of Byron Bay. Situated less than 30 minutes from Ballina Airport, approximately 60 minutes from Coolangatta Airport and two hours from Brisbane Airport, the retreat is ideally positioned for international access.
Accommodation
Gaia Retreat has four accommodation options: the Layana Rooms (250 square feet with a private deck), the Sura Terraces (300 square feet with a private deck and courtyard), the Acala Suites (860 square feet with a private deck, outdoor spa and kitchenette) and the Komala Villas (624 square feet with private deck, cabana, kitchenette and plunge pool).
All rooms are surrounded by lush sub-tropical gardens and are stylishly appointed with contemporary furnishings, king-size beds, spacious lounge areas and ensuites with sunken bath tubs.
Food Programme
With an emphasis on creative flavours and a balanced diet, the cuisine at Gaia Retreat is wholesome, nutritious and delicious. High-quality ingredients are a top priority, so fresh seasonal produce is harvested from Gaia’s own organic gardens, as well as the surrounding orchards and plantations of the local farms. Meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans are all catered to, and the retreat happily accommodates any special dietary needs.
The typical daily menu consists of a healthy buffet breakfast, light lunch and gourmet three-course fine dining dinner, complimented by organic herbal teas and freshly squeezed juices. Standout dishes include the pea, kale and asparagus frittata; the vegetarian quinoa bake with cauliflower, silverbeet and zucchini; the vegan superfood salad; and the macadamia crusted snapper with greens and celeriac.
A range of yummy desserts are also on the menu including dairy-free black sesame ice cream with mango and coconut; and apple, chia seed, hazelnut and cinnamon crumble.
Treatment Programme
Offering a range of packages to cleanse the body, inspire the mind, and rejuvenate the spirit, Gaia’s retreat programme revolves around stress management, weight loss, detoxification and fitness themes. Retreats fall under eight categories: ‘Revive’ (two nights), ‘Spa Retreat’ (three nights), ‘Renew’ (three nights), ‘Refresh’ (five nights), ‘Restore’ (seven nights), ‘Love the One You’re With’ (two nights), ‘Mother & Daughter’ Retreat’ (three nights), ‘Honeymoon in the Hills’ (three or five nights).
Daily activities include yoga, boxing classes, meditation sessions, organic cooking lessons, and nature walks in the Australian countryside. Guests can work out in the retreat’s cutting-edge fitness centre or play a game of tennis on the property’s tennis court before taking a dip in the outdoor saltwater pool. Gaia also has a top-notch spa which has a range of holistic signature treatments, along with a naturopathic clinic which distributes herbal medicine.
Results
Expect to feel…physically purified, mentally uplifted, emotionally stable and spiritually aligned.
Contact bookings@compareretreats.com to book your luxury wellness retreat
