WELLx, the wellbeing science venture co-founded by renowned team of Professor Lea Waters AM, Natasha Taylor (MAPP) and Claire Fortune (MAPP) held its inaugural retreat at Smiths Beach Resort in Yallingup, within Western Australia’s Margaret River region.
Organised and delivered by WELLx, the retreat brought together 30 guests for a two day experience grounded in positive psychology, wellbeing science, contemplative science and immersive experiences. WELLx is not chicken soup for the soul but rather built on the belief that science and soul belong in the same room. Smiths Beach Resort provided the coastal venue and retreat accommodation, with its beachfront location, surrounding bushland and proximity to the Cape to Cape Track forming an important part of the natural immersive setting.
WELLx guided participants through evidence-based wellbeing sessions, movement as medicine and reflective activities. Guests could explore how happiness, hardship and personal growth can coexist. Professor Waters shared insights from more than 30 years of research, including her work on emotional strength, renewed purpose and the “third act” of life.
A defining feature of the WELLx retreat was its integration of structured wellbeing content with the natural environment. Guests took part in a sunset sound bath on the resort’s tennis court, where guided stillness, breathwork and sound healing were unexpectedly accompanied by native birds, deepening the sense of connection to nature.
The program also included a traditional Japanese-inspired mindful walk (known as Shinrin-yoku) through surrounding bushland and coastal terrain, encouraging slow observation, sensory awareness and present-moment attention. For participants seeking a more active experience, an optional Cape to Cape Track trek offered deeper immersion in one of the Margaret River region’s most iconic coastal landscapes.
Culinary wellbeing was also central to the retreat, with onsite restaurant Lamont’s providing wholesome catering that supported the program’s focus on nourishment, balance, creativity and simplicity.
The inaugural WELLx Retreat reflects a broader global shift in tourism, with travellers increasingly seeking experiences that support physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Wellness tourism continues to grow as visitors look for purposeful holidays that combine nature, mindfulness, movement, healthy food and meaningful personal development.
Smiths Beach Resort CEO Adam McWhirter said the resort was proud to provide the setting for WELLx’s first retreat.
“The Margaret River region has long been associated with natural beauty, outdoor adventure and a relaxed lifestyle, making it an ideal destination for wellness travel,” Mr McWhirter said. “At Smiths Beach Resort, we are seeing more guests actively seeking wellness-focused stays, from walking the Cape to Cape Track and practising in-room yoga to attending formal retreats, using the ocean for cold plunging and exploring alternative therapies.”
For retreat organisers, the resort offers ideal Margaret River retreat accommodation with beachfront access, onsite dining, conference and events facilities, outdoor breakout areas and direct access to nature-based experiences.
Following the success of its inaugural retreat, WELLx has announced plans to expand its model internationally, building on the foundations established in Western Australia.
L-R: Professor Lea Waters, Natasha Taylor, Claire Fortune
