EVIDENCE-BASED WELLNESS RETREATS
IN VICTORIA
Getaways for people who want wellness, without the waffle.
- Weekend & 7-day retreats in Benalla, Victoria
- Run by actual healthcare professionals
- Float therapy, aerial yoga, medical-grade red light, reformer pilates
- Miniature goats who don't judge your life choices
- Comes with a Feel Good Guarantee
2 Minute Quiz
Five quick questions
Quick quiz to match you with the perfect retreat. Answer 5 simple questions about your wellness goals, energy levels, and what you need right now. No email required, instant recommendations.Tailor to Your Needs
Personalised recommendations
Get retreat recommendations based on what you actually need — whether that's burnout recovery, trying new wellness treatments, wildlife experiences, or simply disconnecting and resting. Your retreat, your rules.No Woo-Woo
Evidence-based wellness
All treatments are backed by research and run by qualified healthcare professionals. Float therapy, medical-grade red light, physio-led classes — real wellness that actually works, not pseudoscience.
Wellness Retreats — 2 Hours from Melbourne
Rustic-luxe retreat with down-to-earth vibe. Evidence-based treatments & classes to help you reset & feel good. Tasty food that's actually healthy, with proper coffee when you need it.
Everything is included. Everything is optional.
Do as little or as much as you feel.
Everything That's Included
Accommodation, all meals, float therapy, physio-led aerial yoga, red light therapy, reformer pilates, massage, infrared sauna, mineral spa, wildlife experiences, and mini-goat happy hour — all included in every package. No extras, no upsells.
The best value wellness retreat in Australia — and the only one with a Feel Good Guarantee.
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Accommodation
Private cabins with ensuite. All rooms include comfy beds, luxe linens, heating/cooling, TV with Netflix, hair dryers, and blue-light free lighting for better sleep.
Accommodation FAQ -
All Meals
Nutritious, delicious meals 3× daily. Real food that's actually healthy, with proper coffee when you need it.
Food FAQ -
Float Therapy
Magnesium salt hydrotherapy in our float tanks. Research-backed relaxation, nervous system reset, and muscle recovery.
Floatation FAQ -
Aerial Yoga
Physio-led aerial yoga sessions. Decompress your spine, build strength, increase flexibility — all levels welcome. Led by AHPRA-registered physiotherapist and 1000hr RYT Jill Mentiplay.
All about Aerial Yoga -
Red Light Therapy
Medical-grade red light therapy sessions. Evidence-based treatment for inflammation reduction, skin health, and cellular recovery.
RLT FAQ -
Reformer Pilates
Physio-led Reformer Pilates workshops designed to strengthen, stretch, and make you feel good. Suitable for all levels — led by AHPRA-registered physiotherapist Jill Mentiplay.
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Massage & Bodywork
State-of-the-art massage chairs in the zen room and a myofascial release workshop. Practical techniques to self-manage common niggles — leave feeling loose as a goose.
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Infrared Sauna
Private infrared sauna sessions. Detox, relax, and boost circulation in your own time — or combine with cold plunge for full evidence-based contrast therapy benefits.
Why Sauna? -
Mineral Spa & Pool
Heated mineral spa, swimming pool, and cold plunge pool. Hydrotherapy at your own pace, available throughout your stay.
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Supporting Native Wildlife
Learn about our DEECA-licensed wildlife rescue work. Optional opportunities to assist with animals in care — or join a 7-day Wellness, Wildlife & Yoga Retreat to volunteer with the shelter.
Wildlife Retreats -
Plus More
Guided bike tour of Lake Benalla, self-defence workshop (Tony Blauer system), mulled wine by the firepit — all included. Do as little or as much as you feel.
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Mini-Goat Happy Hour
Hang out with our miniature goats. They don't judge your life choices and they're excellent listeners.
Everything is Included. Everything is Optional.
Feel like doing everything? Great. Feel like doing nothing? Also great. Your retreat, your rules. We're here to support whatever you need.
Upcoming Retreats
All Wellness Retreats &
Evidence-Based Getaways
All Retreat
Mar 9th-15th (7 Day Retreat): Closing Soon
Mar 20th-22th (Fri- Sun): 6 rooms left
April 3rd - 6th (4 Day Easter W’kend)
April 17th-19th (Fri-Sun): 7 Rooms left
April 24th-26th (Anzac Weekend)
Listing Soon:
May 8th-10th (Mothers Day Weekend)
May 22nd-24th (Fri-Sun): *New
Jun 5th-8th (Fri-Mon): Kings Birthday Weekend
Feel Good Retreats
Wellness, Wildlife & Yoga
7 Day Retreats
Mar 9th-15th (7 Day Retreat): Bookings Closing Soon
4 Day Retreats
Apr 3rd - 6th (Fri-Mon): Easter Weekend
Jun 5th-8th (Fri-Mon): Kings Birthday Weekend: Listing Soon
Weekend Wellness Reboots
Relax, Recover, Reset
Fri-Sun Retreats
Mar 20th-22th (Fri- Sun): 6 Rooms Left
April 17th-19th (Fri-Sun): 7 Rooms Left
April 24th-26th (Fri-Sun): Anzac Weekend: 6 Rooms Left
Listing Soon:
May 8th-10th (Fri-Sun): Mothers Day Weekend
May 22nd-24th (Fri-Sun): *New
Choose Your Retreat
All retreats include accommodation, meals, treatments, and classes. More time = more massage, activities & wildlife experiences.
Help Me Choose
2 Minutes
Five quick questions
Personalised
Tailored to your needs
No Woo-Woo
Evidence-based wellness
FIRST UP, WHERE
ARE YOU AT?
No wrong answer — this just helps us meet you where you are.
What's drawing you
to a retreat?
How long would you like
your escape to be?
What sounds most
appealing?
What rhythm feels
right for you?
Who's joining you?
Ready to feel
the difference?
Everything is included. Everything is optional. Do as much or as little as you feel.
VIEW DATES & BOOK →Evidence-Based Wellness Retreats
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![Floatation Tank in Benalla Wellness Re]()
Floatation Therapy
All wellness retreats include sessions in our magnesium salt floatation and sensory deprivation tank. Designed to switch off your senses, provide complete rest for your nervous system and alleviate muscle tension.
From just 1-2 sessions across a weekend, you may feel more relaxed, & sleep more deeply. Regular float therapy has been linked to reductions in stress levels, anxiety, blood pressure, chronic pain and sleep disorders. Float therapy sessions are included in all our wellness & yoga retreats. Learn more about float therapy on our Victorian yoga retreats.
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![Red light therapy on Benalla Wellness Retreat]()
Red light Therapy
Retreat packages include medical grade whole body red light therapy. Often associated with Dermatologists and skin treatments, red light therapy penetrates the skin to target cellular health. It has been used as a treatment for mood and sleep disorders, wound healing & joint pain, muscle recovery and even by NASA to reduce unwanted symptoms of radiation therapy.
From your first session you might feel relaxed, glowing and a little restored. Every person is different - if you can, jump in more than once. Included in all our wellness & yoga retreats, learn more about red light therapy here.
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![Mini goats looking in window of Benalla Wellness Centre]()
Animal Therapy
Time spent with animals and in nature has been shown through several studies to replicate similar effects on our brain waves as deep meditation. Perhaps this is because they demand us to be fully present and temporarily disable our internal chatter.
We provide all levels of access to our hand reared therapy animals - whether you would prefer to feed or observe only from behind a fence, or jump in and immerse yourself in goat antics and love. Plus, we’re probably the only wellness retreat in Victoria to have goats on the program.
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![Hydrotherapy spa at Benalla Wellness centre]()
Mineral Soak & Hydrotherapy
Take your relaxation to the next level in our hydrotherapy spa. It comes complete with medical grade massage jets and mineral salts to dissolve tension and send you into a state of bliss.
And if you get too hot, you can always take the plunge in our 75m2 magnesium salt pool for the ultimate in winter invigoration. Or of course you can just stay in the spa ….
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![Man in infrared sauna on Victorian Wellness Retreat]()
Infrared Sauna Treatments
Improved cardiac health, reductions in chronic pain, muscle recovery, deeper REM sleep, lowered cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugars, boosted metabolism and protection against the degenerative effects of ageing. These are all benefits of infrared sauna use as demonstrated by clinical studies - so the question is, why wouldn’t you?
Yes it’s hot, but stepping out of the sauna you’ll feel invigorated and recharged. And because we have two, you should do it again tomorrow! Learn more about infrared sauna use on our Victorian wellness retreats.
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![Massage workshop on Victorian Yoga Retreat]()
Physio led yoga, reformer pilates & massage
Our wellness retreats feature evidence-based techniques to relieve aches and pains, relax tight muscles and target common niggles - you might find yourself capable of more than you thought.
This includes aerial yoga (yin and flow, reformer pilates and myfascial release work. Wellness retreats also include time in the ‘Zen Room’ with state of the art massage chairs that target from the neck down to the souls of your feet
Intensity wise, our schedule caters from low to moderate intensity sessions; using the power of movement to improve how you feel in both your mind and body. Our teachers come from health care backgrounds including physiotherapy, exercise physiology, rehabilitation programming and elite coaching - offering the highest levels of instruction and in class care.
Wellness Retreat Itinerary
Get a feel for your typical day on a Little Farm of Calm yoga & pilates retreat
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Sample Autumn/Winter Itinerary
Day 1: Check in any time from 3pm
*Room induction upon arrival
*Red light therapy, float tank, sauna from 5pm-10pm
*Hydrotherapy spa & Magnesium Salt pool open 4pm-10pm
16:00 - Aerial Yoga Flow (Gentle )
*18:00 Dinner
19:45 Aerial Yin & meditation (90 min)
*22:00 Fire pit & guest kitchen close
Day 2: As much or as little as you like
*Red light therapy, floatation tank & infrared sauna from 7am-10pm
*Hydrotherapy spa & Magnesium Salt pool open 7am-10pm
*07:00 Breakfast available till 12
*08:30 Joey feeding - please let us know if you would like to assist
09:00 Pilates Reformer (60 Min)
10:00 Goat happy hour: please wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty and enclosed shoes.
11:00 Guided bike tour of Lake Benalla
12:30 Lunch
13:30 Wildlife Rescue Talk
*Afternoon: Free time, snacks, drinks, bicycle hire
14:30 Myofascial Release Workshop (90 min)
18:00 Dinner
19:15 Self Defence Workshop (participate as much as you choose)
21:00 Mulled Wine & Chocolate
22:00 Kitchen & Fire pit Area Close - outdoor silence requested
Day 3: Late checkout and plenty of time to take things slow
*07:00 Breakfast & coffee in guest kitchen till 12pm
*Red light therapy, floatation tank & infrared sauna from 7am-12
*Hydrotherapy spa & Magnesium Salt pool (~12-15 degrees) open 7am-12pm
9:30 Aerial Yoga Flow
10:00 Goat Happy Hour
11:00 Chai Tea & Ginger Biscuits
*12:00 Checkout.
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Day 1: Check in any time from 3pm
*Room induction upon arrival
*Red light therapy, floatation tank & infrared sauna from 4pm-10pm
*Hydrotherapy spa & Magnesium Salt pool open 4pm-10pm
16:00 - Paddle board Yoga (60 mins)
16:30 Joey feeding time - let us know if you would like to assist
*18:00 Dinner
19:30 Aerial Yin & meditation (90 min)
*22:00 Fire pit & guest kitchen close
Day 2: Do as much / as little as you like
*Red light therapy, floatation tank, massage & infrared sauna from 7am-10pm
*Hydrotherapy spa & Magnesium Salt pool 7am-10pm
*07:00 Breakfast available till 12
08:00 Joey feeding time - let us know if you would like to assist
09:00 Pilates Reformer (60 Min)
10:00 Goat happy hour: please wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty and enclosed shoes.
11:00 Guided bike tour of Lake Benalla
12:30 Lunch
1:30 Wildlife Rescue Talk
*Afternoon: Free time, snacks, drinks, bicycle hire
15:00 Myofascial Release Workshop (90 min)
16:30 Joey feeding time - let us know if you would like to assist
18:30 Dinner
20:00 Self Defence Workshop (participate as much as you choose)
21:00 Mulled Wine & Chocolate
22:00 Kitchen & Fire pit Area Close - outdoor silence requested
Day 3: Late checkout and plenty of time to take things slow
*07:00 Breakfast/Brunch 12pm
*Red light therapy, floatation tank, Massage & infrared sauna 7am-12
*Hydrotherapy spa & Magnesium Salt pool (25-30 degrees) 7am-12pm
9:30 Aerial Yoga Flow
10:30 Goat Happy Hour
11:30 Chai Tea & Ginger Biscuits
*12:00 Checkout. description
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Sample Itinerary for our 7 Day- Feel Good, Do Good Retreats
Monday: Get here and get to know us
Check in from 3pm
Pool, Spa & Sauna area open 2 pm - 10pm
Red Light, Floatation, Massage Chair Bookings 4pm - 9pm
2 pm onwards: Arrivals, Room & Retreat Orientation
4:15 Wildlife feeds - Let us know if you would like to assist
5:15pm Aerial Yoga
7:00pm Dinner
8:15pm Wildlife Rescue Intro - meet & greet and what’s involved
10pm Guest Kitchen & Outdoor areas close - out door silence requested
Tuesday: Chill out or get stuck in. The choice is yours ...
Breakfast - Brunch 7am - 11am in guest kitchen
8am, 12pm, 5pm, 9pm - Wildlife feeding, exercise, enclosure clean up - opt in to participate
Pool, Sauna & Spa areas open from 7am - 10pm
Wellness Treatments open for bookings 8am - 9pm
10:30am Guided Bike Tour of Benalla - see the sights, get your bearings, enjoy the great outdoors!
1pm Lunch
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy wellness treatments, explore region, have a nap or read a
book ... you do you :)
3:00pm Goat Happy hour
6pm: Group Dinner
7:30pm Aerial Yin & Restore
Wednesday: Let the feel good, do good magic grow
Breakfast - Brunch 7am - 12pm in guest kitchen
Wildlife, Wet Areas & Wellness treatments as per previous
9:30am -12:30 pm: Wombat enclosure build Pt 1 (Tasks inc digging, placement, gathering of logs/ planting - get an idea of what we're building here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg98maM2HDU )
1pm Lunch
3:30-5pm Hot Yoga Massage (Myofascial release Workshop)
DIY Dinner (Fridge space and basic kitchen appliances provided)
Thursday:
Breakfast - Brunch 7am - 12pm in guest kitchen
Wildlife, wet areas & Wellness treatments as per previous
9:30am -12:30 pm: Wombat enclosure build Pt 2
(Inc digging, placement, gathering of logs/ planting - get an idea of what we're building here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg98maM2HDU )
1pm Lunch
3:00pm Goat Happy Hour
4pm Paddleboard Yoga
6:00: Group Dinner
7:30pm Self Defence Workshop
Friday:
Breakfast - Brunch 7am - 12pm in guest kitchen
Wildlife, Wet Areas & Wellness treatments as per previous
9:30am Aerial Yoga Flow
11am onwards: Day trip with picnic lunch at Wildside Wildlife release site
Afternoon: Free time to explore region / rest / wander release property
DIY Dinner (Fridge space and basic kitchen appliances provided)
Saturday:
Breakfast - Brunch 7am - 12pm in guest kitchen
Wildlife, wet areas & Wellness treatments as per previous
9am Pilates Reformer Workshop
1pm Lunch
3pm Goat Happy Hour
6pm Final Night - Group Dinner & Celebration
8pm Stargazing, spiced Caco & Dessert around firepit
Sun - Final Day
Breakfast - Brunch 7am - 12pm in guest kitchen
Wildlife, wet areas & Wellness treatments - 12pm
9:30am Energetic Aerial Flow
12:30pm Checkout
Victorian Wellness Retreat FAQ
Victorian Wellness Retreat FAQ
Where is
Little Farm of Calm?
121 Grant Drive, Benalla 3672
Our Victorian Wellness Retreat & Event centre is an easy 2 hour drive or train trip from Melbourne - once you get on the Hume Hwy you are 2 turns away. We offer station pick up & drop off so you can sit back and relax!
We are located in a rural area, yet only 6 mins away from Benalla which features cafes, shops, chemists and supermarkets. If you are feeling active that becomes a 15 minute bike ride.
Wellness Retreats Booking FAQs
What is your cancellation policy?
No one wants to think about cancellations, but just in case - please see our cancellation policy below. These are based upon the costs incurred by us to replace your booking in the provided timelines:
> 28 days prior to check-in will receive a full refund minus bank transaction fees
Within 14-28 days of check-in date are subject to 25% cancellation fee or can be re-scheduled to a future retreat for a $150 administration fee to cover re-advertising of your place
Within 14 days of check-in date are subject to 50% cancellation fee
Within 7 days of check-in date will be charge full retreat value (where no replacement booking can be found).
How far in advance can I book?
We traditionally offer our retreats in 3 monthly seasonal blocks. This allows us to be constantly adapting and improving our offerings and ensures the quality of our retreat scheduling. To keep up to date with when new retreat dates are announced please follow us either on facebook.com/littlefarmofcalm or instagram.com/little_farm_of_calm/
Do you offer payment plans?
We currently offer the Paypal - Pay in 4 option for retreat payments which divides your retreat into 4 equal payments across 8 weeks.
Do you take NDIS bookings?
We will happily work with your NDIS plan manager to arrange for you to attend one of our wellness retreats under respite care for carers and NDIS participants - please get in touch through our Contact US page and we will work with you to establish if we can provide the ideal retreat environment for you.
Do you run private retreats?
Yes, if you have a group of 10+ people (or 8+ rooms) we can design a custom itinerary to suit your group. Please get in touch with us via littlefarmofcalm@gmail.com with:
Number of guests / rooms
Preferred dates
Contact number
We can then give you an idea of availability and approximate costs. Please note that there is no giant discount as our costs remain the same whether the retreat is run for just your private group or any other group of people. A deposit will be required to reserve private retreat dates so please consider these things prior to making a request.
Wellness Retreat Food FAQ
What food can I expect on retreat?
Our yoga retreat menu changes with the season, so in the cooler months we provide more hearty dishes such as curries, soups and layered dishes. There is no private chef onsite and we do not claim to provide Michelin star rated food. We do however, invest in local Victorian produce and pride ourselves in homestyle cooking with great flavours and healthy ingredients. Meals will generally include one gluten free and vegetarian dish, plus at least one other which may include gluten / animal protein / lactose.
Please note; We use spice, warmth and seasonings in our cooking. If you have a highly specific palate, or severe food allergies, we invite guests to bring some of their own preferred foods to store in the fridge. We also request details of any food allergies or intolerances 7 days prior to your retreat to ensure that we can shop and prepare menus or advise if your needs cannot be met.
Do you provide gluten free catering?
Yes, we can provide gluten free options for each meal where this information is provided at least 1 week prior to the retreat commencement. Please be specific as to the level of your intolerance / dietary choice so that we can cater accordingly and ensure that your requirements are met. Please note that not all dishes served will be gluten free and ask staff members if you have any concerns / queries.
Lactose/ dairy free catering?
Yes, we can provide a lactose/dairy free options for meals and dairy alternatives, where this information is provided at least 1 week prior to the retreat commencement. Please be specific as to the level of your intolerance / dietary choice so that we can cater accordingly and ensure that your requirements are met. Please note that not all dishes served will be dairy free and ask staff members if you have any concerns / queries.
Vegan /Pescatarian/FODMAP?
Yes, we can provide Vegan or fructose reduced options for meals where this information is provided at least 1 week prior to the retreat commencement. Please be specific as to the level of your intolerance / dietary choices so that we can cater accordingly and ensure that your requirements are met as definitions of a vegan / pescatarian/ formal diet vary widely. For example, we do not assume that vegetarian or pescatarian includes the exclusion of dairy unless this is specified, and we consider pescatarian diet to include vegetarian meals - fresh seafood is not highly available in Benalla and we like to source local produce wherever possible.
For FODMAP please indicate whether garlic-infused oil, chives and/or spring onions can be tolerated Please note that not all dishes served will be vegan/pescatarian/FODMAP friendly and ask staff members if you have any concerns / queries.
Other dietary intolerances / allergies?
We will attempt to provide a tasty meal option for most dietary needs - however there are limits on what we can provide within the scope of group catering - especially when multiple foods / groups / flavours are being eliminated. This retreat does not provide private chef / personalised catering & all food needs to be accessible to the entire retreat group.
Please contact us directly with any special needs, or the option is available is to bring your own pre-prepared meals and fridge space/ microwave / air fryer / toaster oven is provided in guest kitchen space.
What is included on our retreats?
Retreats include breakfast, lunch and dinner from Friday night through till breakfast (7am-11am) Sunday morning.
Breakfast is a buffet style, self serve selection of cereals, fresh bread, fruit, yoghurts and condiments with tea, coffee, condiments and DIY eggs.
Lunch and dinner change with the seasons, with cooler months traditionally featuring hearty soups, curry and bowl based dishes. Meals consists of 1 large lactose free/ gluten free/ vegetarian dish with condiments/ toppings/ animal protein options that can be added to suit your tastes and needs.
Acknowledgement of Country
Little Farm of Calm Benalla is in Yorta Yorta Country.
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land and pay our respects to the Elders of Yorta Yorta clans past, present and future - for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Aboriginal Australia. We will always remember that this land is, was and always will be traditional Aboriginal land.