10 Wellness Activities to Experience While You Are in Sydney
Groups visiting Sydney for a conference or incentive program can balance their time in this vibrant harbour city with the inclusion of wellness focused experiences to help guests restore, revive and reflect. With a year-round climate that encourages an outdoor lifestyle, there are so many ways groups can make the most of Sydney’s fresh air and sunshine, luxe accommodation, seasonal menus and coastal activities to put wellness at the heart of an incentive program. Here are 10 wellness experiences for you to consider.
Image: Yoga Under the Bridge
1. Outdoor Yoga with a view
Sydney offers the perfect environment for an outdoor yoga session, and these can be arranged in some spectacular locations, such as the Stargazer Lawn at Barangaroo. Corporate Yoga Australia can help you create a sunrise or sunset yoga experience in a picturesque Sydney location. Across Sydney Harbour in Manly, Flowmocean offers a series of unique land based and water-based yoga experiences on the beach, on the water on stand up paddle boards or choose to kayak to a secret beach for a private yoga session. Sign up for a morning Power Yoga class at the southern end of Bondi Beach with Yoga by the Sea. On a Sunday morning, join a free class with Yoga Under the Bridge, then head back to your accommodation via the Rocks Markets. Groups travelling to the Hunter Valley can book a bespoke yoga experience with Yoga in the Vines (including a yoga and wine experience).
Image: Destination NSW
2. Kayak on Sydney Harbour
Sydney by Kayak offers groups a range of guided kayaking tours on the calm waters of Sydney Harbour. Experience the early morning tranquility of the harbour when you set off from Lavender Bay on the Sunrise Kayak Tour, paddling under the Sydney Harbour Bridge with views of the Opera House ahead. Not experienced? Your guides will give you a briefing before you set off in your kayak with life vests on and a warm coffee stowed within reach. They’ll stay with you as you make the journey on the water. Choose from a range of tours designed for groups.
Image: Destination NSW
3. Learn to surf at Bondi Beach
Australia is synonymous with surfing, and Sydney is blessed with iconic surf beaches. For a Sydney wellness experience, book a group lesson with Let’s Go Surfing. No experience required and all equipment supplied, the lesson starts on the sand where guests learn technique and surf safety before entering the shallows with an experienced teacher to give surfing a go! Take a morning lesson to capture the golden sun rise and finish the experience with breakfast at a beachside cafe. Lessons can be arranged for small groups and up to 100 guests.
Image: Destination NSW
4. Swim in an ocean pool
Many of Sydney’s popular harbour and ocean beaches offer a plethora of wellness benefits for incentive groups and individuals. Breathe in ozone-laden air as you dip in the fresh salty water of an enclosed ocean pool. Along the coast there are ocean pools including the iconic Bondi Icebergs. Here groups can take to the water in the enclosed ocean pool overlooking the ocean then enjoy refreshments in the exclusive function space overlooking Bondi Beach and the Pacific Ocean. Sydney is blessed with more than 50 ocean pools, found at both harbour and ocean beaches.
Image: Destination NSW
Along Darling Harbour at Barangaroo, take a dip in Marrinawi Cove, or head east of the city by ferry to the Murray Rose Pool (previously known to locals as Red Leaf Pool) at Double Bay with its shady park and kiosk. Or take the direct ferry to The Watson Bay Baths with an Olympic-size pool, floating sunbathing pontoons and boardwalk - adjacent to harbour-side parklands and cafes.
On the northern side of the harbour find MacCallum Seawater Pool at Cremorne Point with stellar harbour views or take in views of the entrance to Sydney Harbour from Chowder Bay at Clifton Gardens. Manly has five ocean pools to choose from both harbour-side or oceanside, while the along the coastline from Bondi there are ocean pools including the oceanside Bronte Baths and the McIvers Ladies Baths at Coogee for a women’s only swim, or swim at Wylie’s Baths at Maroubra. Ocean pool swimming is a Sydney experience not to be missed!
Image: Eco Treasures
5. Uncover Sydney’s natural treasures on an eco-tour
Eco Treasures crafts a range of tailored Eco Tourism land- and water-based experiences across city-side Sydney Harbour National Park, Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. With an ethos of environmental bathing, guides immerse guests into the environment with a mindfulness approach to the natural surroundings, being present to the experience and their response to the elements.
Image: Forest Minds
6. Heighten the senses with forest bathing
Sydney is surrounded by national parks, some within the city metropolis and some a short distance away. Groups can take a guided forest bathing walk through the Lane Cove National Park or in the Blue Mountains with Forest Minds. Your qualified guide will lead the team on a walk amongst nature where guests learn and practise mindfulness and awareness of the five senses in nature, stop to rest and just ‘be’ in among natural beauty, share discussion and activities relating to the experience of forest bathing before ending the experience sharing in a Japanese tea ceremony.
7. Engage a lifestyle expert as a guest speaker
Inspire your group with a guest speaker at one of your lunch or dinner events who can offer their expertise and experience in wellness. Saxton Speakers has a range of engaging subject matter experts, such as Australia’s 7-time World Champion surfer Layne Beachley, co-founder of the Awake Academy where she helps people and organisations create more confident, purposeful and centred lives. Popular podcast and media MD, Dr Norman Swan unpacks wellness and motivates your group to think more deeply about longevity and work life balance, while leading sleep expert, Olivia Arezzolo will inspire your guests to consider sleep is their ultimate superpower. Popular science communicator and author, Dr Matt Agnew offers an adaptable presentation on AI and its impact on our lives, in a conversation about the influence AI is having in shaping our world, our thoughts and whether it is a benefit, or a challenge.
Image: Tim Pascoe
8. Create a yarning circle
Yarning circles have been an important aspect of First Nations Culture for generations - a place where everyone has a voice to share stories, speak truths and build connections together. Consider a team building activity with Evolve Communities. Groups learn this powerful cultural tradition guided by First Nations facilitators, working through a range of activities while talking to each other. A truly inclusive experience, a yarning circle breaks down barriers to communication in a safe environment, creating inclusion for all.
Image: Botanic Gardens of Sydney
9. Take a bush tucker walk and savour Indigenous native foods
Learn about edible native plants and their medicinal uses on a walk led by a First Nations guide in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. This hour-long, gentle walk through the Cadi Jam Ora Garden will uncover native bush foods that are making their mark on the city’s finest menus. Guests will learn about traditional and current uses and flavours, while sampling fresh from the garden. The ancient plant life used by the world's oldest surviving culture for thousands of years is influencing Australia’s modern cuisine.
Image: Anna Kucera
You could head to Midden by Mark Olive located at the Sydney Opera House to experience native ingredients infused into a contemporary menu that draws on the acclaimed chef’s Indigenous heritage. Or treat your guests to a unique five-course degustation created by Indigenous chef Sharon Winsor of Indigiearth. Hosted at Carriageworks Sydney, The Warakirri Dining experience serves guests a fusion of modern and traditional culinary techniques using ethically sourced native and traditional produce, including seafood, game meats, fruits of the rainforest and native beverages. Experience cultural dance and music with storytelling to gain cultural insights and knowledge of Indigenous foods that have been shared by the world’s oldest surviving and sustaining culture for more than 60,000 years.
Image: W Sydney
10. Book accommodation with luxe spa experiences
Sydney likes to pamper and there is no shortage of options for groups to relax in world class accommodation that offers a luxe spa experience.
In Darling Harbour, W Sydney offers a contemporary spa experience that combines socialising and wellness in the AWAY spa. Here, guests will find five treatment rooms, contemporary manicure and pedicure pods, a relaxation zone, ‘experience’ showers, sauna, steam room and a beauty bar. Choose from LED light therapy, CRYO facials and a range of body treatments and massage. Guests can enjoy Saturday morning yoga on the WET deck and there’s an Unofficial Thursday morning Run Club for all ages.
Image: Capella Sydney
Housed in the heritage-listed Capella Sydney, guests can enjoy the heated indoor swimming and vitality pools, state-of-the-art fitness centre and yoga platform. The Auriga Spa offers a range of bespoke, traditional, and contemporary treatments offering healing and regeneration in an ethos of the cycles of nature and the moon. Their signature treatment, the New Moon Renewal and Reflection, starts and finishes with a focused letting go ritual and somatic intention setting, before a rain forest body polish and peel wrap, a stimulating massage and facial and energy wand therapy. A unique Connect with Country treatment introduces a wellness journey using stones gathered with permission from Indigenous Elders for healing vibrations combined with Australian Botanicals. Just two of many wellness experiences offered.
Image: Crown Towers Sydney
The Crown Spa, at Crown Sydney, in Barangaroo offers guests an indulgent range of professional spa services. Choose from the long flowing movements of a Marma massage that relaxes and invigorates balancing chakras and various pressures. Enjoy a signature Subtle Energies massage and Subtle Energies facial using active aromatics to rebalance and restore. Longer ‘journey’ treatments include meditation and massage to empower, rejuvenate, restore and empower. Other treatments include Sleep support and jet lag recovery for long haul travellers.
Image: Shangri-La Sydney
Located in The Rocks, Shangri-La Sydney is home to Chi, the Spa which draws inspiration from the healings and wellness philosophies of ancient Asia. With six luxurious spa suites, guests can choose from 20 treatments featuring Australian skincare products. Treatments also feature Australian healing techniques and Indigenous botanical ingredients.
Image: Park Hyatt Sydney
Park Hyatt Sydney helps guests unwind and rejuvenate with the Sleep at Hyatt Pack, complete with rest inducing products from Australian organic brand iKOU. Set the scene for rest with a sleep-friendly tea, spray the de-stress linen mist, enjoy a warm bath with relaxing bath salts, before using the sleep supporting aromatherapy pulse points roll-on. Don the sleep mask and prepare for a relaxing slumber. Consider the Relax and Unwind experience which includes a pair of Lucid Sleep Dreamers™ Glasses that cut out the exposure to blue light at night and before bedtime from phone and device use, assisting guests with a better opportunity for restful sleep.
Image: QT Sydney
Be the protagonist for your own peace at SpaQ at QT Sydney. Unwind and warm up for a spa experience in the Hammam-inspired steam room. Offering an extensive choice of treatments designed to help you unwind and find bliss, each spa treatment begins with a foot bath. Over six hours indulge in Metamorphosis, with an energising body wrap, exfoliation, and massage before you enjoy lunch in the relaxation lounge. Then a facial uplifts, contours and revitalises before you end your experience with a glass of sparkling wine. The Plush Prince(ss) is a treatment designed for men and women, starting with an exfoliation with Australian and Himalayan sea salts, blended with essential oils before a facial and massage.
