The idyllic coastal town of Esperance has new retreats and wellness experiences for travellers looking for more from their holidays.Research by Katherine Droga, Founder of the Global Wellness Institute states that 42 percent of Australians intend to take more wellness focused holidays once restrictions lift (Source: GWI Wellness Tourism Initiative July 2020, IVS 2020).
“Wellness Travel was already growing at twice the rate of regular travel before COVID-19 hit in terms of visitor spend,” Katherine says.
“COVID-19 has meant that we are now valuing our own wellbeing more than ever.
“This means that when we travel, we are seeking out experiences that maintain, kickstart or enhance our own physical and mental wellbeing, that could mean great nature walks and immersion, fresh food, spa or pamper experiences or more active physical pursuits.
“Wellness travel can have a positive impact not only on the individual traveller but also local communities, destinations and the planet overall.”
With its remote and beautiful surrounds, Esperance has already seen an increase in the number of people from Perth visiting on wellness retreats, even prior to COVID-19.
Running wellness retreats in Esperance and on Woody Island, Twilight Yoga Studio and Retreats owner Melisa Rowe says that there’s been a definite increase in demand.
“Four years ago when we started, it was just overnight retreats but now I’m definitely getting more people looking for longer experiences, typically five to seven days and they want a holiday packaged with different experiences, not just yoga, additional wellness touches such as massage, meditation, guided hikes with a botanist, art, photography and more,” says Melisa.
“People are wanting to find more time for themselves, they’re prioritising themselves.
“About half of those coming on retreats are solo travellers and half come with a friend or partner, and they are all ages, from 25 to 70.
“We’ve organised private retreats for a 40th birthday, customised retreats based on what clients would like to do, as well as run regular retreats open to everyone.”
Melisa also runs the Yoga Festival which will be held in Esperance on Saturday 27th March from 1pm to 8pm.
Body Pulse Pilates are running their first retreat at boutique accommodation provider Esperance Chalet Village from 28th April to 2nd May 2021 which includes pilates, yoga, a sound healing session, meals at the Chalet and dinner out at Taylor Street Quarters and a day trip to Cape Le Grand National Park with a hike up Frenchman Peak and picnic lunch at Hellfire Bay.
Owner of Body Pulse Pilates Lisa Nicholson began teaching pilates at Esperance Chalet Village in January, using their new, ‘Creek House’ studio space.
“We get a mix of locals and visitors coming along to pilates,” Lisa says.
“We’ve had quite a bit of interest in the retreat already and all going well, we plan to run more retreats,” Lisa says.
There is a multitude of nature experiences available in and around Esperance where visitors can detox from devices and immerse themselves in the feel-good factors only nature can provide.
In spring during the peak of wildflower season, Edgewalkers run multi-day guides hikes in the Fitzgerald River National Park, about two hours’ drive from Esperance. The UNESCO listed World Biosphere Reserve is internationally recognised as being on par with the Galapagos and the Amazon, as quoted by Minister for Environment Stephen Dawson.
The Fitzgerald Biosphere includes 1.5 million hectares of conservation estate, waters, farmland, industrial and urban areas and is considered to be one of the most diverse botanical regions on the planet with about 2,500 species and 175 endemic flowering plants that include Royal Hakea, Qualup Bell, Eucalyptus Sepulcralis, Weeping Gum, Pincushion Hakea, Woolly Banksia and Bottlebrush.
Esperance is a domestic tourism hotspot, renowned for its white-sand coastline, unique national parks, bubble gum pink Lake Hillier and abundant marine life that each year attracts more than 190,000 visitors.
Australia’s Golden Outback CEO Marcus Falconer said that visitors coming to Esperance from March to June are in for a treat.
“Esperance is magic in the Autumn. Particularly, after Easter, if you want to get away from the crowds and focus on your wellbeing, whilst soaking up Esperance’s raw and remote beauty, it’s hard to beat.,” Marcus said.
“I think Esperance has got the potential to become a mecca for wellness enthusiasts from across Australia in the coming years.”
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