Many Aussies are still enjoying their summer holidays right now – but the reality is, the festive period can leave us feeling more exhausted than refreshed. If you’re craving a true New Year’s reset, I’ve found the perfect spot.
Tucked away in beautiful bushland just 45 minutes from Sydney, Billabong Retreat is a serene yoga sanctuary where the pace of the world seems to slow down. For two days here, I swapped Wi-Fi for wellness workshops, notification pings for the hum of cicadas and screen time for baths under the stars. It was the dreamiest digital detox, made even better with calming yoga sessions, nourishing plant-based meals, opt-in meditations, luxe spa treatments and eco-comfort cabins for overnight stays (though day trips are also available from a very reasonable $125).
The magic of Billabong lies in its simplicity and inclusivity, welcoming everyone from first-timers looking to recharge, to seasoned yogis wanting to deepen their practice, to busy professionals craving a nature reset close to Sydney. What I love most is the retreat’s unstructured, DIY approach. Weekly retreats kick off every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday – and you can stay for a single day or stretch it out to five nights if you need a deeper reset.
Each day follows the same rhythm, including two to three yoga classes, one morning wellness workshop and a guided nighttime meditation woven between nourishing plant-based meals and snacks – but how you spend your time is entirely up to you. Join every session or opt for pure relaxation: curl up with a book from the library, journal by the magnesium pool, splurge on a spa treatment, or swing in a hammock by the billabong. With no Wi-Fi and barely any mobile reception anyway, it’s the perfect excuse to lean into a digital detox you didn’t realise you needed.
While Billabong Retreat is popular with day guests, trust me – you won’t want to leave. Thankfully, staying the night is accessible, with 26 rooms across five price points. I stayed in one of the standalone Deluxe King Cabins, tucked among towering gums on the far side of the billabong. Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto a private balcony overlooking the water. Out here, I could hear nothing but a symphony of cicadas and the occasional bird call – though it was hard to focus on anything else once I spotted the outdoor bathtub, ideal for starlit soaks.
By the end of my stay, I felt lighter, calmer and fully recharged. Billabong Retreat isn’t just a yoga getaway – it’s a reminder that serenity, wellness and connection are never too far away. And the best part? It’s just 45 minutes from Sydney.
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