Today, FREE Global Wellness Day events have been released across the country to inspire reconnection with a focus on wellbeing. A timely reminder given the new Global Flourishing Study (GFS) has revealed that Australia is falling short, ranking 20th out of the 23 countries surveyed.
Katherine Droga, founder of Well Traveller and Australia’s Global Wellness Day Ambassador, said that despite Australia’s economic prosperity, the study shows Australians – particularly younger generations – score poorly in areas such as mental health and life satisfaction.
“These findings are a wake-up call, particularly with our young people, as it highlights wellbeing challenges in our country. It shows flourishing isn’t just about income or access – it’s also about connection, support, and meaning,” Droga said.
The GFS and Harvard University collaboration surveyed more than 200,000 people from more than 22 countries across five years, to understand what contributes to a life well lived.
At its core, flourishing is defined as the relative attainment of a state where all aspects of a person’s life and environment are good-measured across six domains: happiness and life satisfaction, mental and physical health, meaning and purpose, character and virtue, close social relationships, and financial stability.
Results revealed that Australia has one of the lowest flourishing scores in the world – just above the UK, Türkiye, and Japan. With an overall score of 7.02 out of 10, Australians are falling behind in key areas such as physical wellbeing, mental health and life satisfaction. Notably, the data shows that flourishing improves with age, suggesting younger Australians are struggling the most.
In contrast, countries like Indonesia (8.47), Mexico (8.19), and the Philippines (8.11) topped the global rankings – demonstrating that strong spiritual and family ties, cultural meaning and purpose can help communities flourish, even with fewer material resources.
With Australia slipping behind, it is a timely call to action to refocus on your own wellness.
Australia will celebrate Global Wellness Day in a couple of weeks fully for the first time, today releasing a comprehensive Global Wellness Day event program – and although ticketed, it’s FREE to attend all events!
Proudly presented by Well Traveller in Australia, Global Wellness Day is a not-for-profit movement celebrated in more than 170 countries. Its mission is simple but powerful: to inspire people to live well, with the belief that one day can change your whole life.
“Global Wellness Day is a perfect opportunity to pause, reconnect, and reset our sense of wellbeing. It’s a chance to discover your well place – whatever that means to you – and best of all, it’s free.” Droga said.
FREE events on the Australian program have been beautifully curated in line with this theme, from yoga in the park, wellbeing talks, forest bathing, breathwork, pilates, sound healing and equine wellness activities.
In Sydney, three Well Traveller flagship free experiences will take place in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens. Your Morning Ritual On Sydney Harbour offers a guided experience to start the day blending gentle mind-body-movement connection and gratitude practice with Paul von Bergen, head teacher and founder of Billabong Retreat whilst taking in the spectacular views of Sydney Harbour and a Jurlique sample to take home.
Awaken Well: Small Habits, Big Shifts – join Well Traveller TV host and seven-time world surfing champion Layne Beachley + practitioner of positive psychology and wellbeing Tess Brouwer, co-founders of Awake Academy for an inspiring wellbeing wisdom session in nature on the Harbour. This uplifting session sees Layne + Tess sharing powerful, practical tips to help you reconnect with yourself and create daily habits that support lasting wellbeing and a Jurlique sample to take home.
Healing Herbs: Harness the Lifeforce of Nature for wellbeing invites guests to explore the Royal Botanic Sydney’s Herb Garden with Jurlique skincare Farm & Tourism Manager Cherie Hutchinson, and discover how herbs and botanicals have been used for centuries to lift moods, heal bodies and nourish your skin. Includes a complimentary Jurlique skincare gift for everyone.
Further north in Byron Bay, The Wellness Trail: Sip, Sample, Stroll at Elements of Byron starts at the Osprey Spa with a restorative immunity tea, botanical product sampling and a soothing hand massage; then join a guided nature walk through the resort’s lush native rainforest and a gift bag to take home.
In the Adelaide Hills, visitors can join a 90 minute Jurlique Farm Tour, which offers an immersive glimpse into plant propagation, biodynamic farming, beekeeping and sustainable skincare production. For something soulful, Walk Sublime’s Magical musical with horses in nature invites guests to enjoy outdoor acoustic music in the company of these gentle creatures.
Down in Western Australia’s Margaret River, participants can slow down and tune in with Forest Bathing with Mindful in Nature – a 3-hour guided Forest Therapy walk in the stunning Boranup Forest, paired with herbal tea and nourishing snacks in a peaceful, sensory-rich experience to reconnect with the natural world.
On Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, guests can unwind at Hot Springs Yoga, a rejuvenating session led by yoga practitioner Tarlina Pathiyagoda at the Peninsula Hot Springs Amphitheatre Stage for some mindful movement before or while soaking in the geothermal waters.
In Tasmania, the Wild Wellness Pod Eve Retreat delivers a gentle evening of guided breathwork & meditation practice followed by an optional icy plunge in an outdoor ancient Huon Pine bath. Gather round the outdoor firepit for Tassie treats, hot drinks, a journaling session and star gazing.
Well Traveller is proud to partner with Jurlique for Global Wellness Day. Jurlique Spas around the country will open their doors to all wellness seekers on Saturday 14 June to celebrate 40 years of naturally effective, conscious and holistic beauty with your choice of a free relaxing arm and hand massage, skincare consultation or a Misting moment. Loic Rethore, CEO of Jurlique said the Global Wellness Day theme is closely aligned with the brand’s purpose.
“As pioneers of naturally effective skincare, we hope to encourage people to enjoy slow beauty, mindfulness and finding balance in nature,” he said.
Droga is also one of Australia’s most respected voices in wellness travel and tourism. As founder of Well Traveller and Well Traveller TV, creator of the Wellness wander festival, Chair of the Global Wellness Institute’s Wellness Tourism Initiative, and founder of Droga & Co, she is well placed to support Australians finding their well place.
As a mother and passionate wellness advocate, Droga’s connection to the day is deeply personal. “I’ve seen the power of early wellbeing habits in my own family,” she says. “If we can model that for young people – to pause, to move, to breathe and get into nature – we’re setting them up for lifelong health,” she said.
Well Traveller’s involvement in Global Wellness Day also marks the launch of its new What’s On Wellness Calendar which is now live. This curated, searchable hub of Australian wellbeing experiences has been organised by destination, feel-state and experience type. The platform aims to make it easier than ever for people to discover and connect with events and experiences that support their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
“The Global Wellness Day free program will feature on the brand new Well Traveller What’s on Calendar. If you are looking for wellness – it will be the place to go to find it,” Droga said.
To secure your FREE ticket to any of the Global Wellness Day events on Saturday 14 June 2025, visit https://www.welltraveller.com.au/whats-on-in-australia/
“The Global Wellness Day program is now live, but we expect events will book out fast, so we encourage wellness seekers to jump on to secure their ticket for these amazing free events,” she said.
Global Wellness Day
View the complete line-up of events in your state by using the What’s On Wellness Calendar here: https://www.welltraveller.com.au/whats-on-in-australia/
About Well Traveller
Well Traveller is the leading Australian wellness travel platform dedicated to helping people discover experiences that support their mind, body and soul. From immersive retreats and restorative nature escapes to the best city and regional wellness guides and events, Well Traveller brings together the best of Australian wellness travel in one place.
Well Traveller is proud to partner with Jurlique – celebrating 40 years of naturally effective, conscious and holistic beauty for Global Wellness Day 2025.
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