26 – 27 October 2024
Lead image: Four Seasons Yoga / Yoga and Garden Tour
The countdown is on –Wellness wander, Adelaide’s favourite wellness event is nearly here! Now in its third year, old favourites join some stunning new events to suit all tastes and ages with more than 40 bespoke and highly thoughtful wellness experiences curated to fill your cup this weekend.
A strong theme at this year’s event focuses on farm experiences and food – with more and more people seeking to understand the source of their food, wanting to meet the maker and to understand how food can affect your sense of wellbeing.
Our flagship new event hero’s all these themes at, Nourish by Well Traveller. This beautiful experience will enable you to immerse yourself in an afternoon filled with ways to nourish your body and mind. Set in the stunning Ukaria Cultural Centre, hear from our keynote presenter, Matthew Evans, the famous chef and food critic, turned farmer-food activist now based out of Tasmania. Best known for his long-running SBS series Gourmet Farmer, his 13 published books including newly released MILK, Matt will take nourish seekers through the cycle of farming, growing, soil and eating. Then hear from local biodynamic farm and vineyard Ngeringa’s holistic health coach and cellar door manager, Erica Rushbrook , followed by a mood boosting cooking demonstration by the delightful Malissa Fedele from the recent MasterChef Series who will showcase how almonds – now one of the most popular tree nuts worldwide and rich in essential nutrients, like protein, fibre, healthy fats, and vitamin E, contribute to your overall wellbeing. Then enjoy a scrumptious afternoon tea by local café, Kitchen Farm Pantry. You will also be taken through a gentle breathing exercise and finish off with sublime skin nourishment tips and an insight into their working biodynamic farm by the ultimate skin masters, Jurlique. Walk away with a goodie bag with more than $150 of beautiful products to nourish you at home, plus one lucky attendee will win a year’s supply of Jurlique products valued at $2,400. This one is not to be missed.
With an impressive background in food, the chef, turned critic, turned farmer, Evans said he was super excited to head to South Australia and share his story about the joy of the food cycle to inspire others.
“For me, wellness starts with food. Food culture starts with the soil, then the growing, harvesting and sharing food with others – is a complete cycle that is so rewarding and creates so much joy, despite the work involved. It is a growing trend that probably started 20 years ago with the birth of farmers markets and continues to grow in popularity as people understand the importance about the origin of their food,” he said.
Mel Wyness, Marketing Manager at Australian Almonds agreed.
“We are excited to partner with this event as it perfectly aligns with our mission to promote healthy living. We’re keen to educate participants on the health benefits of almonds and inspire them to incorporate this superfood into their daily meals,” she said.
The two-day event program is packed with a range of wellness experiences, from more well-known activities like; farmland learning, walking, wildlife, yoga, Pilates, spas and mindfulness, through to newer experiences like breathwork, mindful drawing, and sound healing – there is a wellness experience for everyone, from solos, friends and couples, through to the whole family that fall under one or more of the five event wellness pillars; Provenance, Relax & Unwind, Nature, Learn & Create and Stay – providing more ways to connect and enhance your wellbeing.
Other–new immersive farm events joining the program include: the Jurlique Handpicked Masterclass – visit the biodynamic farm and explore the fields where Jurlique’s natural skincare begins, and for the very first time, harvest your own botanicals and learn how to create your own aromatherapy blend to take home; or pick your own “first of the season” strawberries with the Strawberry Picking at Beerenberg Farm; or learn the art of fermentation and be treated to a three course lunch with Fermenting with Matt Rodgers at Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard. Embark on the Mindfulness Mystery Day Tour starting with gentle breathing exercises on your journey to participate in the ancient practice of forest bathing, a therapeutic experience to slow down and absorb the forest, finish off with a picnic and time to reflect under the trees.
Change pace and treat yourself to Cedars Secret Garden High Tea Tour with a walk through the beautiful Artist’s Garden led by curator Allan Campbell, then indulge in a scrumptious high tea amongst the trees. Explore the hidden vibrations of nature at Eurilla Estate, with Plant Songs: Outdoor Sound Bath with Sacred Resonance Live for a one-of-a-kind sound healing experience guided by the harmonic frequencies of nature itself. Join the Morning Wellness at Kitchen Farm for rejuvenating gentle yoga flow, followed by a session of creating your own unique tea blend to take home. Indulge in the Mindfully Tasting the Holy Trinity event at Tilbrook Estate. Come together and meet three artisan Adelaide Hills makers, Tilbrook Estate, Section 28 Cheeses and Enrico Sgarbossa, Northern Italian Pizza Master Chef and Flour Technician for a slow food mindful tasting and matching experience. Take home new understanding and skills to enable you to mindfully source, match and enjoy the classic joy of “The Holy Trinity” around your own table with family and friends.
These new events join crowd favourites like; Escape the digital world and embrace quality family time for a Family Digital Detox at Woodhouse Adventure Park, where you will enjoy a full day of outdoor adventure and screen free fun as you are encouraged to turn off all mobile devices to foster family connection and active enjoyment. Discover the harmony of movement, playfulness and relaxation at the newly redeveloped Blanket Building at Fabrik, with Connect + Create with Drawing Yoga, a unique class providing you the opportunity to unwind through movement and artistic expression in a serene setting. This workshop combines guided mindfulness to deepen your affinity to nature, and guides you to use that connection to inspire your botanic artwork.
These events are just a taste of the highly curated and thoughtful program that has been prepared for wellness seekers this October 26 & 27 and reflects the thriving wellness tourism industry in the Adelaide Hills in line with the booming sector nationally.
The Global Wellness Institute has reported that the wellness tourism sector is currently valued at more than $21 billion in Australia and expected to grow a further 16.8% annually for the next three years through to 2027.
Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said wellness travel has been growing exponentially for the past few years and events like Wellness wander shine the spotlight on the world-class experiences South Australia has to offer.
“We know there is a growing appetite for wellness tourism across the globe, and our state is perfectly positioned to leverage this, thanks to our strong offerings across agritourism, fresh local produce, and natural and wildlife wonders,” Minister Bettison said.
“It is wonderful to support Wellness wander through the South Australian Tourism Commission, as its diverse program helps to trigger visitation to the Adelaide Hills this October and no doubt will inspire those looking for the ultimate wellness experiences to keep coming back for more.”
Katherine Droga, Founder of Wellness wander, and Well Traveller, Executive Producer of Well Traveller TV and Chair of the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) Wellness Tourism Initiative said that year on year there is a significant increase in people prioritising their own mental, physical and social wellbeing – especially in Australia.
“Australia is ranked within the top 10 wellness destinations in the world. More than 12 million wellness trips are taken in Australia every year, and most of these are taken by Australians. What this demonstrates is the growing number of Australians who are valuing their wellbeing more than ever before.
The most recent GWI Tourism Initiative survey also reported that the top five wellness travel experiences consumers were seeking were; Active Nature (55%), Spa (52%), Mindfulness and Mediation (39%), Local Cultural Experiences (35%), Yoga/Pilates (29%) and Holistic Wellness Therapies (32%)
Droga went on to say that the Adelaide Hills ticks all the boxes when it comes to what’s important for wellness experiences.
“Wellness wander harnesses what the Adelaide Hills has on offer, allowing wellness seekers to not only connect directly with a local operator, but experience fresh, healthy and locally grown produce, pristine nature and wildlife, refreshing spas, refined sustainability practices, award winning accommodation and venues and local cultural connection in a unique and effortless way. It really is the perfect way to enhance, kickstart or increase your mental, physical and/or social wellbeing journey,” she said.
James Sellers, Chair of Adelaide Hills Tourism Board agreed, saying that one of the many highlights this year was that 70% of the program features new events.
“This number is significant when thinking about how wellness orientated businesses are flourishing in the Hills, but they are also collaborating to meet consumer interests, creating bespoke experiences that meet the needs of the wellness traveller. You have wineries collaborating with cheese makers, artists and yoga practitioners teaching in unique environments, gardens at historic estates being used for sound healing; and restaurant chefs getting creative with nourishing food – this is the most curated wellness event yet,” he said.
The two-day event champions local wellness operators and experiences that are abundant in the region, with events that traverse the Adelaide Hills from Stirling, to Hahndorf, Mount Barker to Lobethal, Crafers to Paracombe and the greater surrounds.
The South Australian Tourism Commission and Adelaide Hills Tourism, along with Well Traveller, Jurlique, Australian Almonds and The Advertiser are the proud partners of Wellness wander which runs from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 27 October 2024. To purchase tickets and to view the full event program visit https://wellnesswander.com.au. The website has a brilliant search platform (search by event, location or wellness pillar to create your perfect wellness experience).
“I encourage you all to get in quick to secure your wellness journey in our beautiful region. Events will sell out, so book now,” Sellers said.
Visit https://wellnesswander.com.au/ for more information, the full program and tickets.
