Australia Retreat: Byron Bay

Welcome to your Byron Bay getaway. From 3 pm today you can check in to your accommodation, a homestead set on 85 acres northwest of Byron. This former farmworker lodging has been reimagined as a set of private studios that overlook sprawling grounds across a large north facing deck. Take some time to look around the property, which has an impressive repurposed shed that’s now a communal kitchen, dining, social room and outdoor area. After you’ve settled in, there will be a welcome meeting at 4 pm where your leader gives an overview of the upcoming itinerary and offers some insights into the surrounding area. After the meeting there will be an optional yoga session to relax and unwind after your journey here. Alternatively, you can take one of the bushwalks in the surrounding rainforest on the property. Tonight, at a not-for-profit restaurant you’ll enjoy a dinner that’s not only delicious, but also supports a project to rehabilitate and reforest degraded areas of the Byron Shire.

This morning, wake up with a sun salutation if you join an included yoga and meditation session before breakfast at the homestead. Whether you're an absolute beginner or seasoned practitioner, worry not, the yoga and meditation sessions are suitable for all levels.This should invigorate you for a bushwalk in the rainforest of a national park close to the property. Later, head to coast and the pretty surf town of Byron Bay, which has actively avoided the overdevelopment seen elsewhere along the coast. Take your pick of one of the many cafes for lunch. Then continue the fun at a nearby venue with a cocktail masterclass. The artisanal spirits here are distilled from ingredients sourced directly from the family farm and other local growers. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free for you to explore the town. Walk along the beaches, head to the iconic Cape Byron lighthouse, and maybe choose from one of the many delicious dinner options on offer in town.

There are few better ways to ready the mind and body for the day than yoga, so maybe choose to join in again with this morning’s included session. Enjoy breakfast at the homestead as you look over the grounds, then head out to visit a nearby market. Here you’ll learn more about the kinds of produce you’ve enjoyed over the last couple days and maybe meet and chat with some of the local farmers. In the early afternoon, make your way to a working farm that hosts a collection of micro businesses and is, like Intrepid, a B-Corp – a company concerned for their communities and the environment. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the farm, making the most of fresh local produce. You’ll have the rest of the afternoon free to enjoy the homestead and a memorable final meal tonight.

Say Namaste to Byron Bay with one final morning yoga session, before this Intrepid Retreat comes to an end after breakfast this morning.