Six of the best wellness retreats within three hours of Canberra
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These are the best retreats near Canberra for your next dose of holiday zen.
When it comes to booking a holiday, sometimes less really is more. While there’s nothing like the euphoria of walking 20,000 steps in a different country as you eat and explore your way through the city, some of the most memorable holidays involve slow mornings, nourishing food and the chance to reconnect with yourself.
Luckily, you don’t need a plane ticket to soak in sound baths and practice yoga in stunning natural surrounds – there are some amazing wellness retreats near Canberra.
From hideaways set in bushland to sanctuaries that prove that wellness doesn’t have to be one-size-fits-all, your next escape awaits.
Heartspace Retreat
This boutique, eco-luxe yoga retreat is nestled in the rolling hills of Yass Valley. Offering two-night escapes a short 45-minute drive from Canberra, you’ll stay in a picturesque mudbrick homestead set on 14 acres while making the most of yoga sessions, workshops and more.
Only have one day to spare? They also offer Saturday-only retreats, which include breakfast, lunch and dinner, two yoga classes, two sauna and cold plunge sessions and even a group sound healing experience.
Travel time: 51 minutes
1300 Yass River Road, Yass River | heartspaceretreat.com.au
Nunyara Farm
Located on a small working property just outside Braidwood, Nunyara Farm stretches across 100 acres of a fully off-grid landscape that’s home to an abundance of wildlife.
Founded by wellness practitioner and long-time spa owner Bianca Prichard, Nunyara offers two- or three-days restorative retreats, with the experience including everything from nature walks to breathwork, meditation, journaling, a fire circle and storytelling, river dipping and more.
With Nunyara literally meaning “to restore to health”, it’s a space to pause, take stock and reconnect with what matters.
Travel time: One hour and 30 minutes
80 Burkes Hills Road, Braidwood | nunyarafarm.com.au
Highlands Centre for Healing
Home to some gorgeous therapy horses, the Highlands Centre for Healing offers an escape like no other. Here you won’t find spas or itineraries – instead they’re all about Somatic Equine Therapy (working alongside horses to calm your nervous system), reiki healing, breathwork, and massages.
Allowing guests to design their own retreat, they recommend planning no more than three activities a day for a true reconnection to nature and yourself.
Travel time: Two hours
674 Nowra Road, Moss Vale | highlandscentreforhealing.com.au
Bay and Bush Jervis Bay
Offering self-contained cottages and safari tents nestled across 27 acres of pristine Australian bush, Bay and Bush Jervis Bay promises to be an unforgettable experience on the coast.
Planning to host wellness retreats in the future, you can currently book wellness experiences designed to nourish the body, calm the mind, and inspire the spirit. Join yoga, meditation and mindfulness classes, enjoy spa experiences or hire the venue to host your own event.
Travel time: Two hours
21 Pritchard Avenue, Woollamia | bayandbush.com.au
Heart & Soul Retreat
Located just under three hours’ drive from Canberra in the small town of Otford, Heart & Soul Retreat offers wellness getaways all year round, with single night stays and day passes available.
Perfect for when you just need one day (or night) away to reset, included in your stay is a program that features two yoga classes, workshops, evening sanghas, and three delicious vegan meals. But don’t worry– you’ll also have plenty of downtime with the chance to book in for a massage or energy healing at their Healing Centre or explore the stunning natural surrounds.
Travel time: Two hours and 50 minutes
51 Lady Carrington Road, Otford | heartandsoulretreats.com.au
Holistic Women’s Health and Wellness Retreat with Alex Wright-Moore
If you’ve read Alex Wright-Moore’s How I Got Here, you know that the former UN human rights lawyer, award-winning public servant, and Women’s Holistic Coach is all about helping women reconnect with their inner guidance.
Along with offering one-on-one coaching programs, reiki and sound therapy at her south Canberra studio, Alex also hosts regular luxury health and wellness retreats for women. Designed to be intimate with only 12 spots available across three nights, the all-inclusive experience will help you recalibrate your mind, body and spirit to help you to reconnect, and reset.
Including daily movement, transformational workshops, somatic modalities, and nourishing plant-based meals (as well as free time to unwind and connection with like-minded women), it promises to be a long weekend of deep rest.
With the next retreat held from Friday 27 until Monday 30 November at Zensi Luxury Retreat in Mudgee, book your spot here so you don’t miss out.
Travel time: Five hours and nine minutes
173 Lowes Peak Road, St Fillans | alexwrightmoore.com
Feature image: Nunyara Farm.
