Northern Rivers shines at 2025 Spa & Wellness Awards

THE Northern Rivers has cemented itself as a leading wellness destination, with local operators receiving top honours at the 2025 Spa & Wellness Awards.

Elements of Byron took home the coveted title of Best Hotel or Wellness-Focused Resort, announced during the Asia Pacific Wellness Summit at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in the Gold Coast hinterland last weekend.

Located on a 20-hectare property adjacent to Belongil Beach, the resort offers guests an immersive wellness experience with beachfront yoga sessions, guided nature walks and rejuvenating treatments at its Osprey Spa.

Gaia Retreat & Spa was awarded Best Wellness Cuisine and named runner-up for Best Wellness Program for its innovative Rebalance Retreat. Launched in 2024, the four-night program is designed to support women through life’s transitions, featuring massages, facials with cell-renewing LED light therapy, meditation and yoga. The hinterland hideaway was co-founded by the late singer and actress Olivia Newton-John and continues to build on her legacy of holistic wellbeing.

MUKTI Organics, based in Mullumbimby, also earned recognition as runner-up in the Best Skincare: Face category in the People’s Choice Awards.

Founder Mukti, who began her career as a skin therapist, launched the brand in 2000 to fill a gap in the market for natural, non-toxic and certified organic beauty products supported by science.

She also authored Truth in Beauty in 2018, a book that exposes the hidden dangers of conventional cosmetics. Following renewed concerns about harmful chemicals in personal care products raised by a New York Times article, Mukti updated and relaunched the book in late 2024.