Who wouldn’t want to escape to a coastal town where the salty sea air can fill the lungs and soothing lapping waves clear the mind? This and more is on offer at the idyllic coastal town of Esperance, with new retreats and wellness experiences for travellers looking for more from their holidays.
With its remote and beautiful surrounds, Esperance has already seen an increase in the number of people from Perth visiting wellness retreats, even prior to COVID-19.
Research by Katherine Droga, Founder of the Global Wellness Institute states that 42 per cent of Australians intend to take more wellness-focused holidays once restrictions lift (Source: GWI Wellness Tourism Initiative July 2020, IVS 2020).
A trend that was already growing pre-COVID-19, Ms Droga says “COVID-19 has meant that we are now valuing our own wellbeing more than ever.”
“This means that when we travel, we are seeking out experiences that maintain, kickstart or enhance our own physical and mental wellbeing, that could mean great nature walks and immersion, fresh food, spa or pamper experiences or more active physical pursuits.
Escape to a retreat
Running wellness retreats in Esperance and on Woody Island, Twilight Yoga Studio and Retreats owner Melisa Rowe says that there’s been a definite increase in demand.
“Four years ago when we started, it was just overnight retreats but now I’m definitely getting more people looking for longer experiences, typically five to seven days and they want a holiday packaged with different experiences, not just yoga, additional wellness touches such as massage, meditation, guided hikes with a botanist, art, photography and more,” Melisa said.
According to Melisa, travellers want to find more time for themselves. About half of those coming on the retreats are solo travellers and half come with a friend or partner, and they are all ages, from 25 to 70.
Back to Nature
Additionally, there is a multitude of nature experiences available in and around Esperance where visitors can detox from devices and immerse themselves in the feel-good factors only nature can provide.
In spring during the peak of wildflower season, Edgewalkers run multi-day guides hikes in the Fitzgerald River National Park, about two hours’ drive from Esperance. The UNESCO listed World Biosphere Reserve is internationally recognised as being on par with the Galapagos and the Amazon, as quoted by Minister for Environment Stephen Dawson.
The Fitzgerald Biosphere includes 1.5 million hectares of conservation estate, waters, farmland, industrial and urban areas and is considered to be one of the most diverse botanical regions on the planet with about 2,500 species and 175 endemic flowering plants that include Royal Hakea, Qualup Bell, Eucalyptus Sepulcralis, Weeping Gum, Pincushion Hakea, Woolly Banksia and Bottlebrush.
Esperance is a domestic tourism hotspot, renowned for its white-sand coastline, unique national parks, bubble gum pink Lake Hillier and abundant marine life that each year attracts more than 190,000 visitors.
Australia’s Golden Outback CEO Marcus Falconer said that visitors coming to Esperance from March to June are in for a treat.
“Esperance is magic in the Autumn. Particularly, after Easter, if you want to get away from the crowds and focus on your wellbeing, whilst soaking up Esperance’s raw and remote beauty, it’s hard to beat.,” Marcus said.
“I think Esperance has got the potential to become a mecca for wellness enthusiasts from across Australia in the coming years.”
For more information on Esperance, visit www.visitesperance.com
