Billabong Retreat

It’s 8am on a Sunday and I’m cruising down the streets of bustling Sydney. It’s hard to believe that in just under an hour, I’ll arrive at a serene wellness retreat that will be my sanctuary for the next two nights. Even 15 minutes out, I can hardly believe somewhere so private and peaceful could be hiding so close to the city – and yet, here it is.

The moment I step out of my car, the pace of the world slows down. Sunlight filters through the gum trees, birdsong drifts on the morning breeze and the chaos of everyday life seems to disappear. This was exactly the vision for Billabong Retreat.

Built from the ground up by Paul von Bergen, this tranquil oasis was designed as a healing place to reconnect with nature and recharge your mind, body and soul. For two days here, I swapped Wi-Fi for wellness workshops, notification pings for the hum of cicadas and screen time for baths under the stars. It was the dreamiest digital detox, made even better with calming yoga sessions, nourishing plant-based meals, opt-in meditations, luxe spa treatments and eco-comfort cabins for overnight stays (though day trips are also available from a very reasonable $125).

Why stay at Billabong Retreat?

Billabong is so much more than your average wellness retreat. It offers a rare chance to escape the city without actually leaving, swapping screens for yoga, meditation, bush walks and genuine human connection. The magic of Billabong lies in its simplicity and inclusivity – welcoming everyone from first-timers looking to recharge, to seasoned yogis wanting to deepen their practice, to busy professionals craving a nature reset close to Sydney. You can’t replicate the energy that dances through the air – everyone has chosen to be present, to slow down and to reconnect, creating a community of like-minded people who only make the experience richer.

What I love most about Billabong is its unstructured, DIY approach. Weekly retreats kick off every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday – and you can stay for a single day or stretch it out to five nights if you need a deeper reset. The daily program follows the same rhythm, including two to three yoga classes, one morning wellness workshop and a guided nighttime meditation woven between meals and snacks – but how you spend your time is entirely up to you. Join every session or opt for pure relaxation – curl up with a book from the library, journal by the pool, splurge on a massage or facial, or swing in a hammock by the billabong. With no Wi-Fi and barely any mobile reception anyway, it’s the perfect excuse to lean into a digital detox you didn’t realise you needed.

What are the rooms like at Billabong Retreat?

While Billabong Retreat is popular with day guests, trust us – you won’t want to leave. Thankfully, staying the night is accessible, with 26 rooms spread across five price points, all thoughtfully designed with peace, simplicity and sustainability in mind.

I stayed in one of the standalone Deluxe King Cabins, tucked among towering gums on the far side of the billabong. Sunlight pours through the floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto a private balcony overlooking the water. Out here, I could hear nothing but a symphony of cicadas and the occasional bird call – though it was hard to focus on anything else once you spot the outdoor bathtub, ideal for starlit soaks. A giant egg chair sealed the deal, begging me to sit and stay awhile.

Inside, the cabin was bright, calm and beautifully grounded. Earthy tones nod to its sustainable build using natural materials, designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding bushland. There was a comfy king bed, a convertible sofa bed, a large desk, a bar fridge stocked with cold water, a kettle with energising tea, and an ensuite bathroom with a second bath (yep, two tubs!) and fluffy robes. Air-conditioning and ceiling fans were a much-appreciated bonus during my summer stay.

Other options include Treehouse and Lodge Cabins – popular with friend groups – as well as Cottage Rooms with shared bathrooms for those after a more budget-friendly stay.

What is the food like at Billabong Retreat?

All guests at Billabong Retreat are treated to three nourishing meals per day, plus afternoon snacks and unlimited tea. Every spread is a rainbow buffet of wholefood goodness – entirely vegetarian and mostly gluten-, dairy- and sugar-free. Don’t let the veg label deter you though; every dish is so full of flavour and protein, cooked with love by Billabong’s talented, incredibly creative chefs. These legends change the menu daily to showcase the best seasonal produce, much of it sourced from local producers like social enterprise Warrah Biodynamic Farm.

Breakfast features both hot and cold options, ranging from pumpkin frittatas and crispy potatoes to chia pudding and fresh fruit salad. Lunch will leave you nourished with warm curries, colourful stir-fries, zingy salads and crunchy condiments. On my visit, I had a gently spiced vegetable and tofu curry with red rice, smashed cucumber salad, pickled daikon and spiced roast pumpkin. Dinner is equally delicious. I enjoyed a creamy mushroom ragu pasta with baked ricotta, and a citrus, fennel and rocket salad. Don’t worry, dessert is always part of the deal, whether that’s a vegan chocolate cake topped with thick, silky mousse or another sweet surprise.

What is the pool like at Billabong Retreat?

The beautiful magnesium aqua-therapy pool is a welcome retreat for both day and night guests, located right outside the main pavilion. Unlike a typical hotel pool, it’s designed with wellness in mind, with mineral‑rich magnesium water that soothes muscles and calms the spirit.

The pool is open year‑round and included in both day retreat and overnight packages, with plenty of shaded sun lounges to stretch out. As it’s solar-heated, the water can be a little chilly in winter, making an infrared sauna session pre- or post-dip a very good idea. Guests are encouraged to bring their own towel, though Billabong offers some for use if needed.

What is the spa like at Billabong Retreat?

No wellness retreat is complete without a luxe spa, and the one at Billabong Retreat delivers. Guests can choose from a wide range of treatments, from classic hot stone massages and organic facials to more unusual healing practices like Reiki, naturopathy and neuro-emotional therapy. There’s also a far-infrared sauna offering settings targeting cardio, detoxification, pain relief, relaxation, weight loss and anti-aging.

All spa sessions are scheduled around yoga or workshop times, with the daily timetable posted on the noticeboard outside the kitchen the day prior.

What is the area like around Billabong Retreat?

Hidden in the treetops, just a 45-minute drive from Sydney CBD in Maraylya, Billabong Retreat feels much further from the city than it actually is. As the name suggests, it overlooks a lotus-filled billabong, with 26 cabins and rooms spread across both sides.

The closest shops are in Windsor, just ten minutes away, or a larger shopping complex at Rouse Hill is a 15-minute drive away. If you are up for something more adventurous, three national parks lie within a ten-minute drive: Mitchell Park, Scheyville Park and Cattai Lagoon.

Address: 41 Mcclymonts Rd, Maraylya, NSW, 2765

Price: From $125 for the day retreat or $275 for a one-night retreat

Closest transport: Ten-minute Taxi ride from Vineyard or Rouse Hill Station

Book now: Here