Once it was festivals full of booze, music and mayhem.
Now?
Expect to find me at events with a different vibe… some a little slower, some a bit sweatier, all where booze has been swapped out for something a tad more hydrating. And kebabs? Well you may still find them but instead they will be filled with organic goodness to nourish rather than soak up the alcohol. Yep the food area alone is enough to get me back. Think raw cakes, rainbow salads and smoothies galore!
Where stages once held rock gods new and old, they are now filled with ones of a different kind, almost celebs in their own right.
Where gorgeous glowing souls can camp for the weekend and live in their Lululemon outfits and gypsy inspired jewellery the whole time and feel right at home.
No, I haven’t joined a cult BUT I have found Wanderlust, a festival which recently hit our Australian shores after having huge success overseas.
Think of it as the Coachella of the yoga and wellness world. And it’s pretty awesome.
I first fell in love with Wanderlust last year where I attended and also caught up with famed international yoga teachers Eoin Finn and Tiffany Cruikshank (check out my interviews with them here and here). I did epic yoga classes throughout the day. Learnt to hoola-hoop, ate, drank… even my non-yoga sister loved it, and yes, even she may have been converted!
In 2015, they returned bigger than ever at Cockatoo Island, Sydney.
Why am I bragging? Well because I have good news, there’s another one about to happen VERY soon, this time on the Sunshine Coast, held at the Novotel Twin Waters from Thursday October 15 to Sunday October 18, 2015.
And as we are nearing the end of the year, (hello exhaustion) this 4 day celebration of mindful living is the perfect opportunity to unplug from the ordinary and find a little adventure!
I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek into the upcoming event thanks to Wanderlust’s partner Swisse at Byron Bay recently and all I can say is we are in for a treat!!
Regardless of what starts you on your path, this is an experience that will leave you feeling different than when you first arrived – with new ideas, new friends, newly- discovered abilities, and a greater sense of peace.
Festival Highlights not to be missed:
Farm-to-Table Dinner
The Farm to Table Dinner (presented by Swisse Wellness) is not to be missed, the menu is specially curated by guest Nutritionist and Cook Lola Berry and marries a local food ethos with a fine dining palette amidst a backdrop of magnificent lagoon views. Regional farms provide seasonal produce and sustainably farmed meats, prepared by the tastemakers of the local food scene.
Standup Paddleboarding
Float, balance and paddle until your heart’s content!
The Beauty Bar
Worried about walking around all sweaty post yoga session? Fear not! Freshen up after class at their spa-like oasis, featuring complimentary treatments and the chance to sample a hand-picked collection of their favorite organic and eco-friendly beauty products. Oh yes.
Music
If you think the only type of music will be that of the soft and meditative type think again. Instead, the likes of Sneaky Sound System, Donavon Frankenreiter and Andydub will be performing, just to name a few.
Swisse Sanctuary
A wellness hub, which will host complimentary ‘Nat Chats’ (lead by Swisse Wellness qualified Naturopath Toby Hone), a Swisse Superfood Smoothie Bar and wellness workshops, that Wanderlusters can book in their schedules, will focus on the Swisse skincare and superfood products. With the assistance of Swisse special guest Lola Berry (leading nutritionist and certified yoga instructor) Swisse will offer participants an exciting and educational program of events over the four days, encouraging participants to celebrate life every day through mind, nutrition and movement.
Local and sustainable food
Grass-fed, cold-pressed, small-batch, gluten-free… if it’s got a hyphen and is good to eat, it’s likely at Wanderlust. Wanderlust offers healthy fare throughout the festival, whether you’re grabbing a quick bite from the hand-picked vendors or sitting down at the Farm to Table Dinner. For those with a thirst, minus the coconut water… they also offer Wanderlust Uncorked, small gatherings featuring the best craft wine and beer and even better company.
Yoga
Of course! There’s something for everyone, no matter your level, so don’t be scared off if you aren’t fluent in ‘yogi’!
Check out the full line up of music, yoga, speakers and workshops here
Intrigued? I hope so! Get your ticket here
