Secrets of Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat at Tallebudgera Valley revealed

IT took fellow guests at this Gold Coast retreat four days to realise there was a supermodel in their midst: take a look inside Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat.

Sharon Kolkka is the General Manager of the Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in the Tallebugeera Valley Pic by David Clark

HAIR scraped back in a ponytail, not a trace of make-up on her face as she performed downward dog alongside the frazzled mums and overworked businessmen — it took the residents at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat four days to realise there was a supermodel in their midst.

Nestled in Tallebudgera Valley, just 15 minutes from the beach, is a place where A-list celebrities sit alongside everyday people as they share an organic lunch and the experience of being utterly overwhelmed by the chaos that is life.

While 10 per cent of the guests have travelled far and wide to Gwinganna from international destinations and a further 60 per cent from interstate, the rest come from Queensland — predominantly the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

Gwinganna is part owned by Hugh Jackman who is also a frequent visitor to the retreat and wears a name tag just like all the other guests who come in search of an escape.

Gwinganna co-owner Hugh Jackman during a recent visit to a Gold Coast beach.

“The Spa Sanctuary at Gwinganna is quite simply world class,” Jackman wrote on the Gwinganna website.

“One feels simultaneously immersed in nature and indulgent luxury. The staff at the sanctuary is extraordinary, their expertise and passion is unparalleled. Enjoy.”

Mobile reception is patchy and anyway visitors aren’t permitted to use technology except in the privacy of their rooms, which don’t have televisions, or while seated in the heritage grandstand which now overlooks the valley but previously stood in the Gabba.

Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in the Tallebugera Valley. Picture: David Clark

Despite the abundance of high-profile guests, in Gwinganna’s 10-year history a visitor has never so much as texted, tweeted or tipped off anyone about their presence.

The supermodel’s identity remains a closely guarded secret and although Jackman almost certainly visited the property during a visit to the Gold Coast late last year guests seemingly didn’t have time for celebrity spotting while finding their inner peace.

The pool at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat.

Another thing the overstretched guests aren’t allowed access to is a schedule, with updates given verbally at each meal time.

Gwinganna physically forces them to slow down, whether it’s because of the endless bends on the road to the retreat trundling past grazing horses, or the waterfall blocking the entrance to the spa which won’t stop until the person powering towards it stops and waits for the sensor to part the downpour.

Inside Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in the Tallebugeera Valley.

The retreat’s 64 spots are usually at capacity but aside from the optional fitness and health classes, the only times they have to come together on the 200-hectare property are for meals which are served on share plates at the tables set for eight.

Atmosphere at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat.

Cigarettes are banned and alcohol generally is too, except in the case of short-stay guests who are permitted one glass of organic wine a night.

Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in the Tallebugera Valley. Picture: David Clark

“Nobody goes hungry at Gwinganna but nobody gets chocolate,” said general manager, Sharon Kolkka.

“You never know who you’re gong to be sitting next to in our dining room.

“It doesn’t matter if you are an A-list celebrity and yes, we do see them, or if you’re mumsy down the street who has dropped the kids off to come here.

Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in the Tallebugeera Valley.

“At the end of the day it doesn’t matter where you come from — when you’re running around on the mountain everybody sweats.”

While everyone eats the same meals prepared from ingredients either grown or sourced by the organic gardener under the eye of a dietitian, who are among the retreat’s 165 staff, one thing that does set guests apart is the accommodation.

An oversized chess set at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in the Tallebugera Valley. Picture: David Clark

Those staying in the modest but quaint heritage rooms, located in various buildings relocated to the property by former owner Kevin Weldon, pay $980 a person for a twin-share, two-day stay.

However, if you want access to a private steam room, outdoor deck and plunge pool with views of a secluded billabong, you’ll be paying close to double.

“That allows us to have people who maybe do need to save up to come but at the other end of the scale you might have the person who wants the luxury of the beautiful villa,” Ms Kolkka said.

Sharon Kolkka, general manager of the Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in the Tallebugeera Valley. Photo: David Clark

“You could come here and not spend a cent more, just take advantage of what’s in the program, or you could choose to add on a bunch of other things like visit a naturopath.”

Despite their extensive list of spa treatments, Ms Kolkka believes it’s what Gwinganna doesn’t give their guests which has led to the cabinet full of global awards the retreat has received.

“We’re all facing the challenge of living in a fast-paced, technology-driven life and our bodies simply weren’t designed to do that,” Ms Kolkka said.

“When you go to a resort, they’ll give you everything you want.

“At Gwinganna we give you everything your 50 trillion cells need.”