Gaia Retreat & Spa

Local restaurants

Gaia's all-inclusive, so you may not wish to stray outside for gourmet treats. However, if you fancy an alternative take on fresh, local, organic food, then head for the leafy Harvest Cafe (+61 (0)2 6687 2644; www.harvestcafe.com.au), at 18 Old Pacific Highway in Newrybar, in the Byron hinterlands five minutes' drive from Bangalow. It's open daily for breakfast, lunch or tapas, and for dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings. Set in a rambling early 1900s cottage, it offers al fresco dining on its balmy verandas, with a cosy fire in winter. It's family-friendly and does vegetarian as well as gluten-free dishes, with chef Dave Ness receiving plaudits for his tasty breakfasts. Over 20 boutique wines are offered by the glass, and there are fine cocktails too if you fancy a little retoxing after all your Gaia detoxing.

In the heart of the historic town of Bangalow, stop for lunch at Fishheads at 2 Byron Street  (+61 (0)2 6687 2883; www.fishheadsbyron.com.au) and enjoy the fresh oysters, grilled scallops on the half shell or the ultimate seafood plate. It's fully licensed and opens daily for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Nearby beachside Byron Bay also boasts a wide range of restaurants, bars and cafes should you fancy a bit of city buzz.

For a full list of eating and drinking recommendations in Byron Bay, check out our Byron Bay eating & drinking guide

Worth getting out of bed for

Gaia's Amala Day Spa offers a comprehensive spa menu with over 40 revitalising treatments for both men and women, as well as couples-focussed massages. Reviving therapies are tailored to your personal journey and needs, with some rituals inspired by native Australian bush herbs and spirituality. You can chill out with daily yoga, meditation, tai chi, Qi Gong or sound healing; sweat it out with a personal trainer, tennis coaching, body balance, Pilates or cardio circuit; get creative with sculpture classes, or get personal with counselling, a tarot reading or a health and wellbeing talk.

Alternatively, detox in the sauna or  take a dip in the heated outdoor salt-water pool. There are some fabulous beaches in the area, but they're a good 30-minute drive away, so not super-convenient while you're here. Gaia's 20 acres of manicured gardens and lush, sub-tropical grounds are also great for strolling or lounging on a well-placed outdoor deck, hammock or day bed, with serenity-enhancing views of breaktaking hills and easterly sea vistas to soothe that urban stress away. Set on the highest point in the area (in an area also revered by Aborigines), the views of rolling hills and green valleys are a bonus if you fancy an al fresco massage or yoga session. We recommend the seat/day bed behidn the property away from the main lodge as you walk to the yoga room for watching sunrise or sunset in total tranquillity. There are bush walks and bike rides to be had here too, and an outdoor fire pit if you just want to sit alone a while and soak it all in.

Before you go, the retreat has its own rainforest regeneration programme, where each guest is invited to plant a tree in honour of Mother Earth (which is what 'Gaia' means). As founder Olivia Newton-John says, 'This is a place where you can communicate with nature and get a sense of spirituality, and what is really important in life – that's why Gaia is the perfect name.'

For a full list of recommended activities in Byron Bay, check out our Byron Bay destination guide