For many people, the end of the work day is their immediate “switch off” signal to their brains and bodies, confirming that yes it is now time to rest. Or perhaps it’s taking that holiday so you can leave your troubles far away and reset. My relationship with relaxation however hasn’t always been so straight forward. I have recently finished up my full-time 9-5 marketing job, and have entered the often stress inducing and uncertain world of freelance. Navigating this new routine has certainly impacted my ability to “switch off” mentally after a day of work and let’s just say, I have been letting that screen time creep up and have been putting some much needed downtime on the back burner. This isn’t just my experience, the constant digital fatigue and burn out we experience in 2026 is unmatched and people are struggling to prioritise that self care ritual or escape to reset. So when I was offered the opportunity to spend the day at Canto Wellness, a reimagined “staycation”, I was more than happy to clear my schedule.
Owner and founder, Steph, has created a wellness retreat with privacy in mind, and relaxation at the centre. A house high in the trees of Avoca Beach, New South Wales, only an hour and a half drive from the bustling city. My mental and physical health were jumping for joy, and it couldn’t have come at a better time in my life.
Steph was seeking more from the typical weekend away – not just an airbnb with a pool, but somewhere to truly retreat alone, or with friends, with all the traditional spa-like set up, but with a different, more intentional energy. Canto was born from a desire to reimagine the wellness retreat as something more accessible, and as it is unstaffed, it’s truly a choose your own adventure except with relaxing amenities to unwind and experience spa facilities at your own pace.
On a rainy Friday morning, I set off coffee in hand to Canto. When I arrived it was like the house itself got to work immediately melting my stresses. I took a moment to settle into my environment for the day, the smell of incense filled the house and the sound of rustling trees allowed my body to sink into a more relaxed state, before I checked out some of the amazing amenities the home has to offer.
First up on my list was some stretching and meditation in the red light therapy Yoga studio. I have always been someone who struggled to wind down when doing any meditation or yoga, my thoughts still racing about to do lists and groceries, but I was on a mission to remain present in my body, steady my breathing, and let go. Having that space available to be present and reconnect with my body was really special and like nothing I had experienced at any other staycation in the past.
At the end of the day, it was that fear of letting go that had been preventing me from a reset that was long overdue. That feeling of ease in a world of what ifs and anxieties.
One of the experiences this wellness retreat has to offer, and the one I was nervous to try was of course the cold plunge. Having never done it before, I took owner Steph’s advice to alternate between the cold plunge and the sauna. And so I let go. I slowly descended into the outdoor tub, overlooking the trees. And it was freezing, my body was shocked by the cold. But as I entered the sauna and the heat enveloped me, I felt so refreshed. My body felt like it had been jumpstarted – truly better and more effective than the three coffees a day thing I’ve got going on at the moment. Sitting in the sauna I took a moment to gaze through the glass doors out to the deck, melting further into relaxation.
Financially, and schedule wise, it’s not always viable to book that holiday abroad, though you may desperately be in need of one. I also tend to find travelling more stressful than relaxing – is that just me? So I found that Canto Wellness was an amazing alternative.
I think that escape from routine is a form of a wellness retreat, and by placing myself in an environment that is dedicated to relaxation, I am honouring my physical and mental need for rest. Returning to nature, and utilising natural elements of tranquility like water and heat have so many benefits for our minds and bodies. It sounds simple but sometimes simple is exactly what we need in this overstimulating world. Steph has taken those elements you see at traditional spas and placed them in an environment you actually want to spend time in – one that doesn’t feel clinical but like coming home.
Something I loved about Canto Wellness was the ample space to just sit and exist. I found myself curling up on the comfy lounge, in front of the fire Steph had lit for me herself, and journaling. Being away from my phone felt like a relief and I ended up feeling relaxed enough to fall asleep right there. There is something about taking a midday nap that sometimes is enough to cure the biggest of burnouts. It is amazing the kind of positive effects on the mind and body that can occur when you prioritise a change in routine, environment, and physical wellness.
Before I knew it, it was time for me to head back to Sydney. I truly wish I had stayed the whole weekend, though I already felt lighter, more attuned with my body and mind and grateful for the reset.
What I enjoyed most about my Canto experience was that I could go at my own pace and immerse myself in my surroundings without having to share the space with others. My visit also reminded me that I can try and incorporate those quiet moments of groundedness into my everyday life. To take intentional time for myself to get off social media, to slow my breathing, and to treat myself.
A reset can look different to everyone, whether it be a wellness retreat, a spa day, a self care ritual, or all three wrapped into one experience like at Canto. I know for certain I won’t be leaving my next moment of true relaxation quite as long, and will definitely be back to Canto Wellness again.
Canto Wellness is available for hire on a two-hour, half-day, full-day, or weekend basis. For bookings and enquiries, visit Cantowellness.com.au or contact @canto.wellness.
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