Global superstar Olivia Newton-John’s heart was always in Byron Bay

While Olivia Newton-John spent her childhood in the heart of Melbourne and became famous globally, the Gaia Retreat & Spa in Byron Bay was always her spiritual home.

While Olivia Newton-John spent her childhood in Melbourne, it was in the tranquil beachside Byron Bay that the Aussie singer and actress found her spiritual Australian home.

Newton-John — whose image meditating on the property on which she co-founded a health retreat still appears on the Gaia website — was an early adopter of a holistic approach to wellness.

The celebrated performer would stay in hotels in Melbourne but had an Australian base in Ballina for almost four decades.

At Gaia Retreat & Spa, some 20km drive from the main township of Byron Bay, she found sanctuary.

The singer’s 1994 album, Gaia, was her first release after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. It featured tracks including Why Me, Silent Ruin, Don’t Cut Me Down and Not Gonna Give Into It and was recorded at Byron Bay’s Music Farm Studios.

Olivia Newton-John's Byron Bay, Paul Ewart, Gaia Retreat & Spa. Picture: Mark Sullivan-Bradley

The likes of Amy Shark, Matt Corby, Client Liason, Kylie Minogue, Australian Crawl, Midnight Oil and Tash Sultana have also recorded at the studio.

As Sydneysiders flocked to Byron during Covid, it was through this period that Newton-John, as she battled illness, wrapped her physical ties to the area and retreated to her ranch in the US.

Olivia Newton-John at Gaia Retreat relaxing by the fire. Picture: Kate Nutt

In December 2021, she sold out of Gaia Resort to billionaires Andrew and Nicola Forrest for a reported $30 million.

She had co-founded the luxury lifestyle retreat in 2005 alongside Gregg Cave, Ruth Kalnin and Warwick Evans.

“Committed to honouring the founding vision of Gaia, we are dedicated to providing boutique healing experiences where you can surrender, slow down and nurture your being,” the Gaia website reads.

“As curators of truly unique Australian experiences, we pride ourselves on developing meaningful places that enhance the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

“Whether you are seeking total time-out or an improvement in general health, wellbeing or fitness – your bespoke Gaia journey is tailored especially for you. Gaia’s nurturing environment is a haven to reconnect, realign and recharge in the comfort and beauty of our precious healing sanctuary.”

Beloved Australian singer and actor Olivia Newton-John selling her 187-acre property at Ballina for around $5.5 million. Picture: Supplied

Two years prior, Newton-John sold her Ballina home for about $5.5 million. The 187-acre farm was known as Dalwood with the three bedroom, two bathroom home built in the early 2000s.

Byron Shire Council Mayor Michael Lyon never met Newton-John but reflected on her contribution to the community.

“For many years, she was a familiar face in the Byron Shire, at her retreat, Gaia, and also around the Alstonville area,” he said.

“Listening to people who called in to ABC North Coast this morning it was very clear she was a humble and generous person who never drew attention to herself and lived an unassuming life when she was here.

“She generously supported many different causes and was open about her affinity with the Northern Rivers area. While she was a famous singer and actress, I am aware she also worked extremely hard to raise awareness of cancer and other health issues.”

Torchbearers: Tennis player Patrick Rafter with singer Olivia Newton-John.

Barry Gibb and Olivia Newton-John singing on stage.

Newton-John meanwhile regularly visited Sydney over the years. Her father, Bryn, owned an apartment in Manly.

British-born, Newton-John’s family moved to Melbourne from England when she was six, when her father began work as a professor, and also the master of Ormond College at the University of Melbourne.

She attended Christ Church Grammar School in South Yarra, and University High School in Parkville.

And despite spending much of her adult life living abroad, from the UK to the US, Newton-John’s Australian upbringing was never far from mind.

Singer and actress, Olivia Newton-John, and comedian, Paul Hogan, on the lawns of Admiralty House, Kirribilli.

“Melbourne helped shape me for success because I got my first training in show business here,” Newton-John once said, citing classic TV variety shows Time For Terry, The Happy Show and The Go! Show, where she regularly performed as a teenager.

“There are not many places in the world where you can get all that experience. It gave me good stead when I went overseas.”

Newton-John was bemused by strict Australian school rules, particularly a ban on girls wearing patent leather shoes in case boys were tempted to look into the footwear’s reflection, and up dresses.

“It’s funny to mull over what passed as important morals of the day,” Newton-John said.

“If only they knew I would some day record a song called Physical.”