7 WAYS TO WELLNESS

7WAYS TO Wellness WRITTEN BY ALISON BONE

Self care is where it’s at in 2022, and the Northern Rivers is blessed to have myriad options for soothing mind, body and spirit. Float your cares away in Casuarina, treat yourself to a beachside beautifying ritual in Cabarita, indulge the senses with an elemental experience at Salt, or soak up the restorative vibe in Byron Bay – Australia’s spiritual and healing capital – at a luxury retreat or decadent sauna studio. Here’s the Locale guide to an indulgent day out at some of the region’s most stylish spas.

FLOAT INTO BLISS

From reducing anxiety to alleviating chronic pain and improving sleep quality, the benefits of float therapy are numerous and can now be enjoyed at the soothing oasis of Kalm Springs, Casuarina, one of the newest health spas to grace the north coast. Founders Kim Glenister and Sally Chapelle wanted to create something special for their local community, and this stylish haven of wellness was truly inspired. In addition to floating, restore your glow in the LED light therapy lounge and relieve aching muscles in the infrared sauna (while simultaneously detoxing, stimulating collagen and boosting immunity.) The spacious Dreampod Vmax is the latest in float tanks and large enough for couples. Wondering how it feels in a float tank? The high levels of magnesium salts don’t just keep you afloat; they are absorbed by the skin and help regulate the nervous system. While freeing your senses from external stimuli and the effects of gravity lets you drift into a state of pure bliss, sometimes known as dream waking. Muscle tension dissolves, cortisol levels are reduced, and endorphins are released (that’s the bliss feeling,) so you emerge deeply relaxed and re-energised. Feeling this good is addictive, so why not reap the rewards of regular sessions with a membership deal or package. You can also stock up on Kalm Springs signature magnesium bath salts and a range of wholefood powders and elixirs from The Beauty Chef. And if you are looking for a healthy way to celebrate a birthday or hen party, consider booking the spa for exclusive use. Your friends will love you for it.

kalmsprings.com

PRESS PAUSE

We all need a reset sometimes, a moment to breathe, and Comma is all about creating the perfect space for taking that time to pause, relax and regenerate. Nestled in the heart of the Arts & Industrial Estate in Byron Bay, this contemporary spa has stylish minimalist interiors designed to induce an instant sense of calm and synergy. Highly trained staff specialise in holistic massage tailored to specific concerns — signature massages include Equilibrium to unlock shoulder tension and restore posture, The Vessel, a lymphatic massage to soothe and hydrate, and The Cumulus, a pregnancy massage with scented oils and a comforting belly pillow. Looking for a beauty treatment without all the new age gimmicks? The Calm Visage Facial will leave you looking and feeling radiant, with massage, exfoliation, vitamin infusion and masque. After your treatment, ease back to reality with a complimentary herbal tea and browse the enticing range of bespoke beauty products, incense, oil burners and candles.

commaspaces.com

Kalm Springs is an indulgent seaside sanctuary providing premium floatation, sensory deprivation therapy, private infrared saunas, ice bath and our relaxing LED Light lounge at the beautiful Casuarina, in Northern NSW.

We invite you to unwind in our warm and spacious private Float and Infrared sauna rooms. LED light lounge and Coming Soon ice bath, hot and cold therapy. Let this be your time to relax, heal and exhale.

BEACHSIDE ESCAPE

How about infusing your wellness experience with a touch of retro beachside glam amidst the pandanus on beautiful Cabarita Beach? If soul-soothing rituals, restorative facial therapy and traditional beautifying treatments sound good to you, head to Halcyon Spa, located within the reimagined 60’s surf motel turned boutique lodge, Halcyon House. On the menu: Tension Release massage, Smoothing Jojoba Body Polish, Ayurvedic Face Massage and more. Australian natural skincare brand Sodashi is

COMPLETE WELLNESS

The modern infrared sauna studio Nimbus Co. offers state-ofthe-art, full-spectrum cedar wood saunas in a nurturing space. A team of health care practitioners are also available so that you can combine your sauna with acupuncture, massage, kinesiology or colon hydrotherapy for a complete wellness experience. New to the infrared thing? These modern saunas support chronic conditions but also assist in detoxing, boosting immunity and improving skin health. The radiated heat from infrared penetrates your tissues, muscles and cells in a much used in the spa, and one-hour treatments include complimentary steam in the domed hammam-style steam room. Looking for a romantic splurge? The couple’s treatment suite is for you. Decadent spa journeys are also a delicious option. Our top pick, the Halcyon Escape, with massage, facial, steam and delicious two-course lunch at Paper Daisy, the award-winning restaurant named for the wildflowers that grow on the headland.

halcyonhouse.com.au/halcyon-spa

Nimbus Co.

more comfortable and easier-to-breathe way than traditional saunas. At Nimbus Co, coloured LED lighting adds to the sauna experience, while iPads provide music, or bring your own device to connect to the built-in speakers. Larger rooms can accommodate up to three guests, while an ice bath is available for those who like to chill after a sweat. Looking for a regular self-care routine? Become a member with benefits to access some great deals.

nimbusco.com.au

Osprey Spa

FOREST BATHING

Set amidst 20 acres of rainforest, Elements of Byron is one of Byron Bay’s premier resorts and home to its most iconic wellness destination – Osprey Spa. Inspired by nature, each treatment room has a tropical courtyard while soaring ceilings and lightfilled spaces create an oasis of calm. It’s all about personalising your experience here, from choosing your oil blends to customising your own botanical spa ritual. Some ideas to tempt you: A Hot Stone Healing Massage with basalts rocks, the Rainforest Revival ritual (perfect for couples), or a sublime Sanctuary Ritual including foot bath, body brush, frangipani and vanilla cream massage wrap, botanical hair and scalp ritual and facial. Mothers-to-be can also treat themselves to a deeply nurturing three-hour Little Soul package. Following a heavenly treatment, return to earth in the relaxation lounge, complete with four luxury poster-style day beds, then enhance the feel-good factor with a cocktail or dinner at the resort’s Azure Bar and Grill. * Note, Osprey Spa is currently only available to hotel guests, but will reopen to outside guests from June 2022 and is taking bookings now.

elementsofbyron.com.au/spa

Reflections Coolangatta Beach is the ideal choice for guests seeking beachside Coolangatta accommodation. The laidback ambiance of Coolangatta reflects throughout the two towers allowing guests to relax in comfort with stunning beach and ocean views. Choose from one, two & three bedroom apartments or luxurious skyhomes and penthouses featuring stylish furnishings.

STAY AND SAVE NOW AT REFLECTIONS COOLANGATTA BEACH!

Book 3 nights or more and receive 15% off when using promo code 15SAVE at www.reflectionscoolangattabeach.com.au

www.reflectionscoolangattabeach.com.au P: 07 5589 6999 E: info@reflectionscoolangattabeach.com.au

REJUVENATE IN STYLE

Raes on Wategos hardly needs an introduction, but did you know there is also a gorgeous day spa within this luxurious and iconic Byron Bay destination? With a design inspired by a Moroccan bathhouse — think arched recesses and glimmering mosaic tiles — the spa offers just two treatment rooms, which guarantees intimacy and exclusivity. Raes Spa is also the only spa in Australia to use legendary Santa Maria Novella products, a luxury fragrance and skincare range handmade in Florence at one of the oldest apothecaries in the world. Pamper yourself with a deeply relaxing signature massage, a Vichy Body Scrub and Massage or splash out with the Santa Maria Novella Indulgence, which includes a back, scalp, hand and foot massage, foot bath and scrub, and facial with jade crystal Gua Sha massage. After? A long lunch at Raes, of course!

raes.com.au/spa

AN ELEMENTAL EXPERIENCE

Recently remodelled, The Spa at Salt (located next to Peppers Salt Resort & Spa) offers a refreshing approach to relaxation and renewal. Treatments include Swedish Massage, Aqua Salt Glow and a good selection of facials, such as the Face and Soul, a deeply relaxing face and foot treatment, and Nature Essence Facial with Aveda products. What really sets this day spa apart though is the Elements Lounge, with amenities based on the five elements that you can experience at leisure with a day pass. On offer are infrared saunas (fire), mineral hydrotherapy spa (water), the salt room (earth) which is good for respiratory and skin health, Medilux light therapy (light) to stimulate circulation and lymphatic flow, and the soon-to-be-opened Altitude Lounge (air) where you can enjoy the rejuvenating and anti-aging effects of a simulated altitude experience. All spa treatments include complimentary access to sauna, spa and salt room, while membership provides wellness on tap for locals, with unlimited access to the Elements Lounge.

thespaatsalt.com.au

The Spa at Salt

WILD ThingReconnect with the world around you through these nature-based activities and tours.

WRITTEN BY RICHARD BRADBURY

Looking to connect with nature and explore Byron’s abundant beauty? Whether it’s on the water, on land or on a horse, we’ve got an option for you. So, grab your hat (and hang onto it) as we explore the best back-to-nature activities and tours in the region.

BALANCE MIND & BODY

Pure Aloha Yoga offers guided yoga classes outdoors — with a difference. Ready to try yoga whilst on a stand-up paddleboard? You’re in for a soulsoothing experience! Once you’ve mastered the basic SUP paddling techniques and floated your way to a secluded spot with your instructor, it’s time to drop anchor (so you don’t float away during class!) for a guided meditation, followed by gentle but challenging Asana poses. Once you get the hang of things, you can get more adventurous with headstands or join with a partner to hold some poses together. Don’t worry if you wobble off your SUP and fall in! You’ll be in water deep enough to both land easily and then stand up on the sandy bottom. Classes are held on the pristine shallows and beautiful surrounds of the Terranora Inlet in Tweed Heads.

purealohayoga.com

Zephyr Horses (image courtesy Destination NSW)

HORSING AROUND

With a stable of horses perfect for all levels of experience, Zephyr Horses’ Forest to Beach rides take you through tea tree forest and over the dunes for a spectacular ride along the beach, with views across Byron Bay to the lighthouse. Be the first to watch the sun come up (while on horseback) on the sunrise tour. And you can do it all at sunset too, enjoying stunning views of the hinterland. Zephyr Horses also offer Forest Trail tours where their expert guides will help you explore the unique fauna and flora of Tyagarah Nature Reserve — and you can relax and ease into the ride as your horse knows more about these trails than you do! Zephyr also run slow-paced riding tours of The Farm in Ewingsdale, with a behind the scenes look at their sustainable farm operation. If you’ve got little ones who aren’t yet up to a trail ride, grab a 10-minute pony ride on Saturday mornings. There’s no need to book; just show up (keep an eye on Instagram for dates). zephyrhorses.com

SACRED GROUND

The Guided Aboriginal Tours by Explore Byron Bay is a precious opportunity to connect with country. Run by Delta Kay, an elder of the Arakwal Bundjalung people, there are three tours to choose from, including walking tours among the beautiful surrounds at The Pass in Byron Bay, one in Bangalow along the stunning Byron Creek, or at Broken Head Nature Reserve. Delta explores Indigenous life both pre-and post-colonisation and provides valuable insights into how Arakwal people care for and preserve the land. Here’s your chance to learn the Bundjalung language names of local plants and find out which ones make great bush tucker or natural medicine. Every tour includes a generous spread of delicious bush tucker foods to taste, as well. Explore Byron Bay offers free pick up and drop off within six kilometres of central Byron Bay. explorebyronbay.com

Byron Bay Cruises

CRUISE CONTROL

If cruising along pristine waterways sounds like an idyllic way to get back into nature, then these eco-tours on the Brunswick River are just your thing. Byron Bay Cruises’ tours leave from the Brunswick Heads Boat Harbour, and once underway, the crew will deliver expert commentary about the changing history of the river and the native plants and animals you’ll be gliding past. It’s not unusual to see an enormous sea eagle swooping down with a splash and rising again with the flashing silver of a fish in its claws. Or a vibrant blue kingfisher, tiny but iridescent, flitting along the riverbank as you cruise by. The option of a kayak or SUP tour will provide an up-close view of wildlife and the marine ecosystem if you want even more river time.

byronbaycruises.com.au

DOWN TO EARTH

Ella’s Farm is the perfect place to get your hands dirty and explore permaculture principles of sustainable living. From a beautiful vantage point in Bilambil Heights (an hour’s drive from Byron Bay), join the team at Ella’s Farm on a Saturday afternoon for a 2-hour tour of the farm, with instruction on planting and harvesting using permaculture principles. Or, maybe join a Botanical Workshop, a true plant-to-plate experience. Ella features a different plant each month, delving into its history and how it can be used for food and good health. And take home a ‘shrub cocktail’ to share with family and friends. Cheers!

ellasfarm.com.au

SAFARI ADVENTURES

Vision Walks and Eco Tours offer a vast range of activities, from waterfall walks to multi-day bird watching tours. They even run nighttime adventures with special goggles so you can see nocturnal wildlife in the dark. Our pick is their Byron Bay Wildlife Safari. Travelling in their luxury eight-seater off-road vehicle, the tour takes you through eucalyptus, rainforest and grasslands to spot koalas, kangaroo, flying fox colonies, and if conditions are right, shy pademelon, echidna and skittery water dragons. Tours start in Byron Bay and, by the time you return, you’ll feel like you’ve been in a whole different world. visionwalks.com.au

Ella’s Farm