1. Kundalini Yoga and Healing Retreats at Heart of the Horse 2. Horse healing 3. Monthly mindfulness and meditation sessions
Holistic massages, Ayuredic therapies and sound healing
Treat yourself to an intensive pampering and healing session at Maiaveda Holistic Health & Day Spa, located in the heart of historic Kyneton.
Owner Mayre O’Brian has created a deeply relaxing, special environment that makes you feel like you’ve entered another world the moment you set foot inside.
There’s a large variety of holistic massage treatments on the menu, but the Signature Maiaveda Massage is amazing. This choreographed warm herbal oil massage, is a unique full-body bliss out incorporating Marma Point therapy, Reiki, reflexology, chakra balancing, detoxification techniques and trigger point work. They even select Ayurvedic oils specifically for you and any imbalances, blending herbs and essential oils to meet your special needs.
But Maiveda offers more than amazing massages. You can book a reflexology or Reiki session, relax with a soothing hot stone foot bath, or try sound medicine healing. You can even experience a private yoga and meditation session, or treat yourself to a manicure, pedicure and face renewal ritual.
For something different, try their Shirodhara treatment, where a gentle stream of Ayurvedic medicated oil is poured slowly and gently across the forehead to access the hypothalamus, which directs the autonomic responses of the body. This massage for the brain is a profoundly relaxing and balancing treatment for the entire nervous system taking you deep into the meditative state.
In addition to Maiveda’s in-demand spa and Ayurvedic therapies, Mayre also runs workshops, retreats and sacred sound meditations throughout the year.
Make sure to book in advance, particularly if visiting on weekends.
Find out more about Maiaveda Holistic Health & Day Spa
Jewellery making workshops in a country studio
Mindfulness and wellness isn’t all about meditation, massage and yoga. Focusing on learning a new creative skill with your hands, whether it be cooking or art and craft-based, is a great way to still the mind and ground yourself.
Bec de Podolinsky from Pod Jewellery runs fantastic one day and two half-day jewellery making classes from her country studio in the rural outskirts of Kyneton.
In addition to helping people design and make beautiful pieces of jewellery, she guides couples through the process of making their own wedding rings.
These workshops are super fun and interactive. Whether you’re a beginner, hobbyist or an up-and-coming jeweller, you’ll learn at your own pace.
You can choose to work with sterling silver, gold or platinum and make a piece that suits your personal tastes. All you need to do is turn up and everything is organised for you, from your tools and equipment to a lovely lunch in a Kyneton cafe.
Find out more about Pod Jewellery’s workshops
Find other upcoming workshops in the Macedon Ranges
Horse riding in the Wombat State Forest
Leave this century for a couple of hours and recapture the pioneering rural atmosphere of the 1800s at Silver Brumby Trails. Located in Spring Hill, only ten minutes’ from Kyneton, Silver Brumby trail rides include calming views of the Macedon Ranges and the Wombat State Forest. Rides are at a nice steady pace to suit all ages and experience levels.
Your ride will be guided by a friendly and very experienced horse person, plus a pack horse will come along to add to the feeling you’ve stepped back in time (they also carry refreshments for the ride).
Silver Brumby offers three different ride experiences, ranging from two-hour trails perfect for inexperienced riders, a three-hour ride suitable for all rider capabilities (that includes a cuppa stop in the Wombat Forest), or a two-hour private trail ride followed by private picnic in an early settler-period cottage.
All rides are for 12 years and over. If you’re under 18 you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Find out more about Silver Brumby Trails
Hiking in a nature reserve
Walking is great for your physical and mental health, even more so in the beautiful surroundings of the Macedon Ranges.
Here you’ll find a wide variety of gentle strolls and challenging hikes to clear your mind and rejuvenate the soul.
Set out for a full day 30km hike along connected trails in Macedon Regional Park. Find your inner zen on a creekside wander along Kyneton’s Campaspe River Walk. Or stretch your legs on a scenic hike to the summit of Hanging Rock.
Find out more about walks in the Macedon Ranges
Painting at a vineyard
Paint Unwind are fun painting workshops with a professional artist at various vineyards across the Macedon Ranges. This is a chance to tap into your inner-Picasso while enjoying beautiful wine and grazing platters in the surrounds of a vineyard.
The workshops are two hours long, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy your countryside getaway. All materials provided, so all you need to do is show up and relax.
Keep an eye out for the latest Paint Unwind events
The Gathering of the Goddesses Festival
The Gathering of the Goddesses festival in Riddells Creek is for women, by women, and includes camping, glamping, healing and workshops.
Held over three days and two nights in late March, this annual event offers a chance to connect, to ground and to grow.
Enjoy workshops, presentations, healing, psychic readings, drumming, women’s circles, chanting, market and food stalls, arts and crafts, buskers and performances, and so much more.
Celebrate the ways of the old by gathering with your kindred spirits and re-join your tribe. Nestled on 183 acres of natural forest, this is a festival not to be missed.
Find out more about The Gathering of the Goddesses
Book a wellness getaway in the Macedon Ranges
There’s so many reasons to book a retreat in the Macedon Ranges. Less than an hours’ drive from Melbourne, the destination is ideal for a nature getaway for the soul, without the long drive.
Get inspired with places to stay and plan a holiday
