The future of wellness travel: Seven trends reshaping the way we journey

From science-backed longevity retreats to the rise of “calmcations” and wellness at sea, Australians are embracing mindful journeys that nurture both body and mind

Travel is changing. Australians are travelling more mindfully, with health and wellness at the heart of their journeys. No longer satisfied with just lying by the pool, we’re seeking experiences that leave us energised, grounded and renewed long after we’ve returned home. From longevity retreats to wellness cruises, these are the big trends shaping the way we travel for wellness in 2026.

Longevity and biohacking retreats

The quest for a longer, healthier life has made its way into travel. Wellness holidays are no longer just about spa treatments or yoga classes – they’re about science-backed, health-optimising programs designed to help you live better for longer. Think advanced diagnostic testing, biohacking therapies, red-light treatments and even stem-cell support in some destinations.

In Europe and Asia, luxury medical wellness resorts are combining cutting-edge science with traditional healing. Closer to home, Australians are turning to Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in Queensland and Eden in New South Wales, which offer holistic programs addressing stress, sleep and nutrition. In Thailand, RxV – the new family-friendly sister property to RAKxa – blends high-tech health solutions with programs suitable for both adults and children.

Personalised wellness journeys

Gone are the days of cookie-cutter spa menus. Travellers now expect their wellness experiences to be tailored to their unique needs. Using tools like DNA testing, sleep tracking and stress profiling, retreats are offering itineraries where no two guests receive the same program.

SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain leads the way with diagnostics-driven treatments, while Kamalaya in Koh Samui designs nutrition and therapies matched to each individual. Australians, increasingly comfortable with wearable tech and evidence-based recommendations, are embracing this shift towards customisation.

Eco-conscious escapes

Sustainability remains central to the wellness movement. Retreats are embracing eco-conscious design, organic treatments and farm-to-table dining, with gastronomy now woven into the wellness experience itself.

Six Senses resorts continue to set benchmarks here, integrating renewable energy, organic spa therapies and menus sourced from on-site gardens. For travellers, the appeal lies in knowing their journey supports both personal health and environmental wellbeing.

Silence, slow travel and calmcations

The noise of modern life is relentless, and Australians are craving spaces to disconnect. Enter the “calmcation” – holidays designed around stillness, silence and slowness. These trips are less about sightseeing and more about savouring simple moments: forest bathing, journaling, meditative walks and digital detoxes.

In Australia, tiny house stays like Heyscape in Western Australia and Unyoked cabins across New South Wales and Victoria provide remote, Wi-Fi-free escapes. Overseas, silent retreats in Bali and India are attracting Australians in search of a deeper reset.

Fitness-forward and mental-health escapes

For many Australians, movement is medicine. Wellness holidays are becoming increasingly fitness-forward – guided hikes, surf retreats, reformer Pilates intensives and multi-day yoga immersions – paired with programs that support mental wellbeing.

Shorter, purpose-driven escapes are also on the rise. These “Holisti-Days” or “Efficient Escapism” breaks deliver the benefits of a reset in just a few days, appealing to time-poor professionals. Wellness weekends in Byron Bay or week-long hikes in Tasmania reflect this balance of activity and restoration.

Wellness at sea

Cruising is being reimagined. Luxury lines are curating wellness retreats at sea, with Explora Journeys leading the charge. From October to November 2025, Explora I and Explora II will host Ocean Wellness Retreats during their Grand Voyages, offering programmes such as ‘Step Into Serenity’ and ‘The Depths of Exploration’. Guests can expect sunrise yoga, pranayama breathing, sound healing, moonlit gong baths and guided reflections – all framed by the rhythm of the ocean.

They’re not alone. Cunard has introduced ‘Harper’s Bazaar Wellness at Sea’ across its fleet, blending meditation, acupuncture and restorative treatments with beauty and fitness classes. Seabourn, meanwhile, integrates wellness into its ultra-luxury sailings, with guided mindfulness sessions, clean cuisine and a partnership with integrative medicine specialist Dr Andrew Weil.

For Australians, the appeal is obvious. Cruises often depart from local shores, making them an accessible way to combine luxury travel with deep wellness immersion.

Thermal and hot springs destinations

Thermal and hot springs continue to attract travellers seeking the healing properties of mineral-rich waters. Hydrotherapy and bathing rituals are now firmly part of the wellness boom in Australia and New Zealand.

On Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, Peninsula Hot Springs and Alba Thermal Springs & Spa offer hot and cold bathing, spa treatments and nature-based therapies designed to harness the restorative power of water. On the Gold Coast hinterland, meanwhile, Australia’s first ‘floating’ bathhouse opened on Tamborine Mountain in August.

Explore more wellness trends in our wellness hub.