How long should I stay?
This depends on what outcome you expect. The longer you stay with us the more empowered and informed you become to make healthy adaptations into your life. A weekend with us is a brief yet nourishing encounter within a healthy environment, an opportunity to discover Gwinganna and maximise your precious time away from responsibilities and your busy world. A longer stay provides an opportunity to gain a deeper perspective though living within an ideal environment, one that has been created with the distinct intention to improve your overall health and wellbeing. Quite simply, we have more time with you to stimulate and inspire your healthiest intentions by offering you the chance to attend seminars and have professional interaction with Australia’s leading wellness specialists. 

Do many people come on their own?
Yes, in fact we suggest this is the ideal way to retreat. It is an opportunity to nurture your self and have the space to think and contemplate without consideration of friends or partners. On weekends, we often see more couples and friends escaping together. If you travel alone you will be well taken care of and will have the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals if you wish.

What time should I arrive?
If you are making your own way to Gwinganna please aim to arrive between 2pm and 5pm. This allows time for you to settle in and enjoy the surroundings. May we suggest you call and book a massage for your arrival day, as this is the perfect way to begin your journey. It is essential that you arrive at the Retreat before 6pm to ensure you understand how to maximise your stay with us.

If you are arriving by air, we offer a courtesy transfer from Gold Coast airport at 1pm on the first day of each retreat. For your departure, our courtesy transfer will depart Gwinganna at 2pm on the final day of each retreat. Please check with our Retreat Advisors for details.

If you are arriving into Brisbane airport or cannot make our courtesy times, a limousine service is available which we can book for you. Rates for limousine or helicopter transfer can be discussed with our team. International guests may require special arrangements. We are happy to assist you with earlier or later arrivals and departures if necessary.

Making the most of your arrival day
So that the magic of your stay begins quickly and without delay…. we suggest you pack in a separate bag, (or easily accessible in your bag) exercise/comfy clothes, walking shoes and swimmers. Thus if you arrive early and your room is not ready you can use our facilities and your journey can begin. You may choose to head to the gymnasium, wander on a gentle walk, sit by the pool or enjoy a spa treatment (these need to be booked prior to your arrival to ensure availability )…a perfect way to begin your stay.

Early and late arrivals and departures
Arrangements can be made on request to accommodate special circumstances. You are welcome to enjoy all of our facilities. We suggest you pack a separate bag with comfy clothes, flat shoes and your swimmers to change upon arrival. 
Depending on availability we cannot guarantee that your room will be ready before 2pm. Late departures can be discussed with the Retreat Manager during your stay. We will make every effort to ease your transition back into the real world. May we suggest you spend the afternoon having treatments to float your way home? Baggage storage is available for all guests. We do not extend refunds or adjustments to those who choose to arrive late or leave early.

Do I need to book treatments in advance?
For a two or three night stay we highly recommend you book treatments prior to arrival to avoid disappointment. Some therapies are not available on weekends due to therapist availability. For longer stays you may book treatments upon arrival, however specialty treatments are exclusive to certain therapists and have limited availability. As these therapists are unique and very popular, if there is a certain treatment that you would like, we recommend you request and book this well in advance. Send any Dreamtime requests to us in writing by email or fax prior to your arrival. Your Dreamtime schedule will be confirmed upon your arrival.

How should I prepare for my visit?
For stays of 5 or 7 days, caffeine is removed from your daily nutritional intake, so we recommend that you gradually reduce your caffeine intake to one or two cups a day (1 cup of espresso), reduce energy and soft drinks to one per day and reduce chocolate consumption to 25g per day to help soften any of the normal withdrawal effects that you may experience.

What is the daily program?
This is where we are unique and different. The day begins early with a moving meditation, followed by stunning walks and hikes on the property, 500 acres to explore and 16 different paths to follow, some gentle, some not! Breakfast is followed by a morning of movement both gentle and dynamic…..something for everyone. Most guests enjoy getting involved, but nothing is compulsory and we will assist you to find the right balance for your body. Seriously inspiring seminars lead into a nourishing lunch.

Then its Dreamtime. Ahhhhhh…….time to stop……and exhale. Strategic rest in the world of ‘busy’ is essential for your adrenal glands. Afternoons at Gwinganna are time for chatter with fellow guests or retreat to your beautiful room to lounge on your verandah, or maybe by one of the two pools gazing out to the ocean and surrounding bushland. Or if you prefer more activity a game of tennis, bocce ball, maybe a visit to the gym, laps in the pool. You can also choose something more earthy and wander in the organic vegetable garden, and visit the chickens with Tomasz, Gwinganna’s resident farmer, or mingle in the orchard and bush, collect honey from our bees, learn how to weave and discuss the science of sustainability during Natures Way with resident social ecologist John Palmer. Enjoy your afternoon treatments and have a nap….pure bliss.

Dinner is served around 7pm followed by the art of conversation or perhaps our very unique Sound Garden held in the church where the acoustics are amazing. You can play musical instruments in the outdoor amphitheatre by a cosy fire or just curl up in bed with a good book for an early night. The perfect day is yours to discover.

How do I book treatments?
Our Dreamtime Co-ordinator is available during your stay to add and adjust any requests for treatments and personal sessions that you would like. Your daily Dreamtime schedule is given to you at morning tea each day. We require 24 hours notice for any changes to your schedule to avoid a cancellation charge.

Can I use my mobile phone?
We provide the perfect environment for your escape. Our guests are delighted that we provide a mobile phone free zone.  Mobiles can be used in your rooms or in the designated cricket stand. Usage in any other area is considered impolite.

Can I bring my Laptop?
During your stay at Gwinganna, we encourage you to focus on you and take time to tune into the needs of your health and wellbeing. Bringing work with you can distract you away from your escape to our environment. As such we advise you not to bring any work with you. 

What happens on the last day?
The morning schedule runs as usual until 10am. We want you to gain the most out of your last day, so we leave it to the last minute for you to check out of your room at 11am. At 11.30 am depending on the retreat, there is either a final workshop, or alternative session such as cooking demonstration on shorter stays. You may also choose to book treatments for the morning. Our last meal for the retreat is lunch and departure is after 2pm. If you are planning on staying for 3 days or longer, feedback suggests most guests who leave before 2pm regret booking earlier flights as they miss integral seminars that form a key component of the program or the popular cooking demonstration, depending on your retreat.

** Please note – Gwinganna is a non smoking property and minimum age for guests is 16 years.

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