Relax & Revive.

Spoil and thrill your body with these super treats

WORDS CRAIG TANSLEY

GREASE AND OIL CHANGE ANYONE?

Now you can give your mind and body the kind of overhaul usually lavished on cars, in the beautiful Gold Coast hinterland. Australia’s only organic health spa, Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, has launched a whole bunch of new facilities, including a custom-designed two-level gym and personal training centre, a second swimming pool and a Mind Body Pavilion. Set on 160 hectares, Gwinganna has a range of fully inclusive packages from two to seven nights. The two-night Healthy Weekend costs from AU$700 per person. Tel: +61 (7) 5589 5000 or 1800 219 272, toll-free within Australia.

74 ISLANDS, 72 HOLES, 5-DAY CRUISE

We can’t imagine anything better this winter than cruising the Whitsundays on your own luxury private cruiser, playing golf, snorkelling and diving! Barefoot Cruises are offering a fi veday cruise from July 28 which gives you the chance to play the region’s best golf courses, including Australia’s best public course, Turtle Point. (If you’re not a golfer, don’t worry: there’s an alternative itinerary.) Walk the silica sands of Whitehaven Beach, explore Blue Pearl Bay’s riches, and eat and drink to your heart’s content. AU$2,520 per person twin share covers all meals, accommodation and golf fees.
Tel: +61 (7) 4946 1777.

HANGING AROUND

Indoor rock climbing is one of the fastest-growing sports in Australia, and the best place to try it in the southern hemisphere is Melbourne. The Cliffhanger Climbing Wall Gym in Altona, in Melbourne’s inner west, has Australia’s highest climbing wall (20m) and the best variety of climbing walls of any gym in the country – especially following the recent addition of new bouldering walls. The Discovery Channel recently voted Cliffhanger the fourth-best indoor climbing venue in the world, and that was before the refurb! For a very different Friday night, head to the corner of Grieve Parade and Doherty’s Road in North Altona, Melbourne, tel: +61 (3) 9369 6400.

HOP TO IT SKI BUNNIES

Head to the snow fields of New Zealand’s South Island this winter and take advantage of Jetstar’s brand new ski packages, launched in association with SKIMAX. You can choose from three fantastic locations – Queenstown, Wanaka and Mt Hutt – and from packages for couples and families. With each package including return fl ights from Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne, six to seven nights’ accommodation and car hire, from just AU$878 per person, these super deals give you fewer headaches and more time to ski. To book one of these exclusive Jetstar deals call the Australian call centre on 131 538. Deals valid 1 June to 31 October 2007. For all your travel choices, go to jetstar.com fi fi

JETTING ABOUT

You don’t have to go all the way to New Zealand anymore to have the time of your life on a jet boat. Jet Buzz Tours at Pelican on Lake Macquarie are offering a thrilling jet-boat ride on a body of water four times bigger than Sydney’s famous harbour! As soon as you get in one of these babies, powered by a Cummins Turbo Diesel engine coupled with a Hamilton 292 jet propulsion unit, you won’t have time to think of anything but your next fi fish-tail turn and 360-degree spin – they run at over 70kph. Tickets for a 40-minute ride are AU$50 for adults, AU$30 for kids and AU$130 for families. Tel: +61 (2) 4972 1777.