Getaways in Victoria that will fill your cup

Rambling around rock pools. Watching clouds drift across the sky. A game of bocce on the lawn, or a session stretching it out on a yoga mat. All of these things might be on your itinerary when you check in at Lon Retreat & Spa on the Bellarine Peninsula – except at Lon Retreat, there is no such thing as an itinerary. This intimate adults-only retreat is all about easing off the accelerator, releasing the pressure and discovering the delight of doing not very much, not very fast. If you need to kickstart the process, a session in Lon Spa – perhaps a soak in a tub of natural mineral water, followed by a tension-dissolving massage – will do the trick.

What is the best way to give yourself a reset? Is it an energising tai chi session or a restorative yoga class? A walk that lets you appreciate the natural wonders around you, or a visit to an art gallery to inspire your creative side? The answer, of course, is ‘all of the above’ – which is why a two- or three-day wellness retreat with Revitalise Escapes is a sure-fire way to recharge your batteries. With an extensive array of relaxation activities to choose from, this short break will make a big difference.

There really is something in the air. It’s no secret that you always feel better after a walk through the woods, and now we know why. It is thanks to antimicrobial organic compounds emanating from the trees that boost our immune systems. For a wider range of benefits – including more energy and a deeper sense of happiness – turn your walk into a forest bathing experience. Forest bathing is less about covering territory, more about slowing down to appreciate the sights and sounds around you. Qii House, in the Great Otway National Park, is proudly home to ‘The Zaborin Walk’, a forest therapy trail certified and accredited by the International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance (INFTA). The walk is available to guests staying on site in the 4-bedroom Eco Lodge, or one of three tiny houses, each designed to complement the environment.

Some places have a magical feel about them, a sense of serenity that seems to emanate from the stones and soil. Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park is one of them. Although it is just 30 minutes from the Melbourne CBD, here you will feel removed from the hurry and hustle. The relaxation is dialed up at the hotel spa, where a traditional hammam room offers top-to-toe rejuvenation. The full treatment starts with a sugar scrub exfoliation and cleansing body mud, followed by steam therapy, a massage and facial. Expect to feel reborn.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to just be. At Kailash Ashram in the Wartook Valley near Halls Gap, they have been showing the way for years with their three-night yoga and meditation retreats. The lush tranquil setting in the remote wilderness of the Grampians provides the perfect backdrop for deep relaxation and self-reflection. The daily yoga classes cater to all levels, with skilled instructors offering personalised guidance, and the meditation sessions are designed to help cultivate mindfulness and inner peace. We love that this is one of the most authentic and affordable wellness retreats in Victoria.