In the busyness of our daily lives, it's so important to take some time off and nurture our bodies and minds.
Nestled amidst the serene Australian bushland, just a short drive from Sydney, lies the tranquil haven of Billabong Retreat, which offers a range of stays and activities to help you unwind, find balance, and reconnect with nature.
Billabong Retreat kindly invited me and my mum to come along to enjoy their Day Retreat, which featured yoga, a scrumptious lunch, a refreshing swim, and a relaxing infrared sauna.
As you arrive at Billabong Retreat, you're immediately greeted by the peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty of the surroundings. It’s amazing that it is such a short drive from the city, but it really does feel a million miles away!
The day began with a gentle yoga session, held in a studio overlooking the bushland. When the weather is nicer, yoga is held outside on a deck down by the billabong, but it was a freezing cold and misty morning, so we were in the warm studio instead.
The instructor led us through a rejuvenating practice, focusing on mindful movements, deep stretching, and calming breathwork. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or a complete beginner (like me and mum!), this hour-long session set the tone for a day of relaxation and self-care.
After yoga, it was time for lunch. Billabong Retreat takes pride in its plant-based, organic and locally sourced ingredients, which we ate on the deck by the fire. It was so delicious, and I loved how seriously they took allergies and intolerances.
After lunch, we took a wander down to the billabong, surrounded by the sounds of birds and the gentle rustling of leaves, it is such a peaceful spot. We explored the beautiful meditation room, set right at the billabong's edge and found a little deck which had several hammocks where we happily swung until it was time to head back up for our sauna.
In the afternoon you can book in treatments, such as facials and massages, and we tried the infrared sauna.
Their website says “Infrared light has the ability to penetrate human tissue which in turn produces a host of anti-aging health benefits making infrared saunas one of the best therapies for overall healthier living” which was enough to convince us to give it a try!
We chose the Relaxation mode, in which “far, mid and near infrared rays relieve muscle tension at a low, comfortable intensity”. It really did induce deep relaxation - it felt like our muscles were melting (in a good way!). It was a totally new experience for both of us, relaxing and sweating although our skin never got hot to touch.
After the sauna I decided to jump in their magnesium aqua therapy pool! The water is heated by an eco friendly solar hot water system, but it was still quite chilly, so I didn’t
stay in for too long.
After the swim and afternoon tea by the fire, we headed back home feeling so happy and relaxed.
The day retreat was such a great opportunity to escape our regular busy lives and immerse ourselves in a world of relaxation and rejuvenation, surrounded by the breathtaking natural beauty that Billabong Retreat has to offer.
If you are interested in booking in a day retreat for yourself (or even a longer multi-day stay, which I’d love to do next time!) their website is https://billabongretreat.com.au/.
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