Some places don’t just slow you down, they reset your entire rhythm. Gwinganna was that for me. A retreat I didn’t know I needed until I fully surrendered to it.
Perched high in the Tallebudgera Valley, Queensland hinterland, surrounded by ancient trees and sweeping valleys, Gwinganna is unlike anywhere I’ve ever been. It’s not just the beauty of the land it sits on, it’s what happens when you remove the noise. No phones. No distractions. No stimulants. Just presence.
I experienced the 5-day Optimum Wellbeing Retreat, a carefully curated program designed to help restore balance and increase vitality. Whether you’re just beginning your wellness journey or realigning with previous goals, Gwinganna offers a dedicated space to recharge and reconnect. It truly is a sanctuary for the soul.
From the moment I arrived, I let go.
No caffeine, no alcohol, no sugar, no dairy – no crutches to dictate my day. Instead, I found myself moving with intention, eating mindfully, and reconnecting to parts of myself I’d muted in the chaos of everyday life.
This is a place that asks for your full presence. Leave your ego at the door. Come as you are, raw and open. When you do, you begin to see what needs to fall away – habits, thoughts, expectations – and what deserves to stay. I found myself learning, letting go, and nourishing my body, brain, heart, and soul.
The days were filled with nature walks that pushed me, strength sessions that invigorated, and dance and breathwork that liberated. Mornings started with yoga and meditation, and each seminar was a deep dive into wellness, nutrition, and neuroscience. I absorbed it all like a sponge. This is the stuff I live for.
One of t he most profound experienc es was the equine therapy session. In a paddock surrounded by a herd of horses, I stood raw and open. These magnificent creatures operate on instinct. They don’t care who you are or what you’ve achieved. They sense energy. When one of the horses responded to me gently, as if seeing straight into me, it brought me to tears. There was no performance, no mask. Just connection.
The spa sanctuary felt like it belonged in another world. Each treatment room sits nestled in the Australian bush, soaked in natural light and birdsong. The therapists are among the most intuitive and skilled I’ve encountered. The spa menu is extensive, offering not just indulgent massages but also advanced facials, acupuncture, and a range of therapeutic treatments designed to heal on a deeper level. It’s the kind of calm that reaches your core – peaceful, nurturing, and deeply grounding.
And the food? Simply outstanding. All organic and grown on-site or sourced locally, every meal is free from sugar, wheat, dairy and anything artificial. Everything is tailored to support your health and healing. You feel good from the inside out.
What makes Gwinganna truly special is the people. The guides, the naturopaths, the practitioners. They’re like earth angels, always ready to listen, support and uplift. And then there are the guests. I met people from all walks of life, and I’ve come home with what I know will be a lifelong friendship.
It’s incredible what your body and mind can do in just five days. I came away lighter, brighter and smiling, with a sense of clarity I hadn’t felt in a long time. I’m also a realist. This isn’t everyday life. But what you learn here doesn’t have to stay here. Take it home, apply it daily, and it truly can be life changing. It has been for me.
More information: www.gwinganna.com
Written by Laura Csortan: TV presenter with 20 years experience reporting from all over the globe. Best known for her role hosting The Great Outdoors. She is also a former Miss Universe, Miss World Australia and National Geographic reporter. Proud Mum to Layla Rose – her greatest adventure of all. Connect with Laura on instagram – @lauracsortan
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