Olivia Newton-John’s Byron spa Gaia sold to Twiggy Forrest for $30 million

The country’s most awarded boutique lifestyle retreat went for an eye watering sum, but the founders say its legacy will live on.

Co-owners Olivia Newton-John and Gregg Cave at Gaia Retreat & Spa.

Gaia Retreat and Spa, the international award-winning spa and retreat co-owned by Olivia Newton-John in the Byron Bay hinterland has sold to Twiggy and Nicola Forrest’s Tattarang company.

The company confirmed it acquired the country’s most awarded boutique lifestyle retreat to ensure the luxury-lifestyle brand remains in Australian hands.

The Brooklet venue is set across eight hectares of land with views of the Byron and Ballina coastlines.

Gaia attracts many international and Australian guests.

It boasts 22 luxury rooms and suites, a restaurant, large lounge area and deck, retail boutique and reception.

The property also includes a naturopathic consulting room, day spa with 10 treatment rooms, saltwater heated swimming pool, sauna and spa, yoga studio, fitness centre, tennis court, walking tracks and outdoor fire pit.

Industry publication The Hotel Conversation said the business changed hands for $30 million after a marketing campaign by commercial real estate firm Colliers.

The venue has received a long list of international awards, including the prestigious Global Hotel of the Year by the World Luxury Hotel Awards in 2018, becoming Australia’s first and only property to win the accolade.

Gaia closed in 2018 for three weeks for a $1.1 million upgrade after a 2017 hailstorm damaged some of its facilities.

New owner Tattarang Director Nicola Forrest AO paid tribute to Gaia’s founders for creating and sustaining an iconic Australian brand with a coveted global reputation for excellence in wellness and luxury.

“As custodians of truly unique Australian experiences, we understand and deeply respect the founding vision of Gaia which has transformed a wellness philosophy into one of Australia’s most celebrated destinations,” Mrs Forrest said.

“We are investing in and developing unique and meaningful places – places that have the capacity to enhance the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Tattarang’s business approach is holistic – it’s not just about investing in quality businesses, but ensuring sustainability and community benefit.”

Tattarang is one of Australia’s largest private investment groups and is owned by the Forrest family.

The Western Australian conglomerate's investment portfolio spans across agrifood, energy, resources, property, and lifestyle.

It owns firms such as Fortescue Metals, Azupay, Swoop, Invex Therapeutics and R.M. Williams.

Gaia co-founders Gregg Cave, Ruth Kalnin, Olivia Newton-John and Warwick Evans said they were delighted their globally awarded retreat was entering its next chapter under Tattarang.

”It is with great honour and gratitude that we have found the right custodians to take the reins of our precious piece of paradise. From the moment we met the Tattarang team at Gaia and shared our story with them, we knew there was no other group we could entrust our business to,” Mr Cave said.

“After 16 years, we are excited to pass the baton to new visionaries to nurture and grow this majestic hinterland oasis – a place which has been so deeply embraced as a ‘home away from home’ for so many on their wellness and healing journey,” Olivia Newton-John said.

“We are so very thrilled to see how this fresh, exciting and innovative group will preserve our legacy and we wish them as many heartfelt moments as we have shared with our wonderful loyal staff and guests over the years.”