4 must visit meditation retreats in Australia

Billabong Retreat is an eco-certified wellness sanctuary on the outskirts of Sydney. When the world is moving too fast for the mind to feel at peace, you will find some comfort here, where stillness and tranquility are abundant.

Merging the art with the science, Meditation Essentials is a retreat designed to calm your mind, eliminate stress and improve your focus. Combined with organic meals to nourish you from the inside out, this retreat comprises twice-daily yoga flow classes plus evening meditation sessions and workshops that explore its many forms, rich history and wellbeing benefits. Learn how to meditate in a way that works for you and make it a habit that can help you regulate your nervous system long term.

Guests can choose from a variety of accommodation options including cosy cottages, treehouses immersed in nature and luxury cabins with bush views. There’s also a fabulous day spa and magnesium pool to enjoy. You may not want to leave!

For those looking to immerse themselves in rich culture and comfort, look no further than this retreat at Shizuka Ryokan in Daylesford, Victoria. This authentic Japanese country spa and wellness retreat is located on a 3 1⁄2 acre property, where you will find yourself surrounded by countless trees and greenery.

The retreat brings together wellness and Japanese culture in perfect harmony. Guests receive a personalized written program best suited to their needs. Your stay includes a two-hour private session with an experienced meditation, yoga and shiatsu massage therapist who will guide you through the program. You’ll learn about and experience breathing techniques and yoga poses, meridian theory, acupressure, and more.

Rest in a gorgeous room with authentic straw tatami-mat flooring, organic amenities and an Engawa alcove that overlooks a private Japanese garden, then enjoy a traditional Japanese breakfast each morning of your stay.

The team at Happy Buddha Retreats in the NSW Blue Mountains believe that just a couple of days of meditation and silence can have a significant impact on your life. They encourage you to experience introspection and tap into your inner thoughts, emotions, memories and ideas.

This Silent Meditation Retreat is offered every weekend and includes workshops, vegetarian meals and simple, twin-share accommodation with shared bathrooms in the Happy Buddha communal house. It’s a tech-free environment, so you’ll be handing in that phone and disconnecting from the outside world for just a little while.

Everything on the program is optional and you’re welcome to do as much or as little as you like, but with several deep relaxation practices, guided meditations and sensory nature immersions across the weekend, we’d be signing up to it all. You’ll leave feeling calm, content and rejuvenated.

Held on the surf coast of Victoria in Jan Juc, an hour from Melbourne, this two-night weekend retreat by Artfulness Retreats will help you find your inner artist through a range of workshops, meditation sessions, and sound baths.

Each retreat includes four art workshops to help you connect with your own creativity and get out of your comfort zone. You’ll also enjoy calming meditation sessions to help you find your artistic flow.

You’ll stay in a gorgeous house with ocean views, a beautiful onsite yoga studio, fire pit, mineral pool and extensive living and dining spaces. And don’t worry, there’ll be free time and breaks throughout the day for delicious meals. This creative retreat will truly bring you back to calm.