At Retreat Here, we believe technology should serve us, not enslave us. Our fancy gadgets, designed to make our lives easier, have become the cause of rising stress levels and anxiety. It is no surprise that taking a ‘ditox’ has become increasingly popular.
If the sheer thought of taking a break from your devices gives you anxiety, maybe start with a semi-digital detox at our women’s only Yoga Retreat in The Otways; the perfect location to forget all about work, your to-do list AND your phone. However, if you are ready to ditch your technology, we’ve listed three unique retreat locations in Australia that make unplugging a lot easier.
Cheeky Fox Retreat in Yarra Valley
A short 90 minutes drive from Melbourne’s CBD, amidst lush greenery, you will find this beautiful six-bedroom home.
Cheeky Fox Retreat offers a peaceful weekend escape away from the city for up to 12 guests. The outdoor pool and patio offer sweeping views of the valley, and are great for sundowners in both summer and winter, thanks to the fire pit. Mobile phone coverage can be intermittent on some networks, and guests can request to have wi-fi switched off. Enough reason for us to call this an ideal haven for a digital detox.
We have hosted plenty of Yoga & Wine Retreats at Cheeky Fox, and we keep coming back for good reason. The yoga space offers beautiful morning views for an energising stretch session, and there are plenty of bush tracks nearby. Whereas our Yarra Valley Yoga Getaways are officially not digital detox retreats, guests have the opportunity to hand their devices over upon arrival to enjoy a fully switched off weekend.
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef
Nestled in the dunes of Cape Range National Park you’ll find the ideal place to disconnect from modern-day life. Sal Salis is an eco-friendly safari camp with sixteen eco-luxe tents. The remote camp blends in with its natural surroundings and its location forms the ideal base to spot awe-inspiring wildlife.
All tents have been designed with your comfort in mind. They provide striking views of the crystal clear waters and surrounding landscape. Due to its remote location there is no mobile phone or Wi-Fi connection (yay!). Embrace it! Of course, if there are any urgent needs, the camp has a landline.
RESETTING YOUR OWN BATTERIES
The heart and soul of Sal Salis is the camp’s main lodge. A comfortable lounge forms the ideal spot to join fellow travellers for a chat, or read a book from the small library. In the evening, gather in the dining area for a delicious dinner and admiring the astounding number of stars in the night sky. Apparently it’s one of the best places to see Milky Way..!
Sal Salis provides an exclusive experience to really get away from the outside world. Your stay is guaranteed to reset your personal batteries, leaving you more mindful of your daily ‘screen-time’.
Gwinganna
Gwinganna, meaning ‘lookout’, sits high on a plateau in a peaceful region of the Tallebudgera Valley in Queensland. Surrounded by ocean and valley views, this well-renowned health retreat promises a tranquil haven to create stillness in your mind. The serenity beckons for some serious soul-searching and allows guests to recover from the hectic outside world.
A variety of beautiful accommodation is available for the most discerning traveller. The newest additions are three Meditation Suites, including meditation cushions and a yoga mat.
The fact that there are no TV’s in the rooms will help you escape from the daily grind. Guests are encouraged to leave laptops at home and truly disconnect. Regardless of the duration of your digital detox retreat, Gwinganna’s serene environment will ensure a blissful digital detox escape, so you can tune in with yourself.
About the author: Sab is the founder of Retreat Here and Sabijn Linssen Yoga. She creates and hosts Yoga Retreats in Victoria and Bali to connect like-minded women in real life. She’s a fully certified Yoga Instructor, and – besides the retreats – offers private and corporate yoga classes in Melbourne.
First published on