Good health is more than the absence of disease. It's more than longevity. Good health is a feeling of vitality, wellness, peace, harmony and equilibrium. Our focus on a tailor made menu of rest, spa therapies, exercise, preventative medicine, nutrition and spiritual awareness is designed to help you maximise your potential in all areas of your life.

At Golden Door Elysia we believe this experience of perfect balance is within your grasp. We know that with the right exercise, nutrition, stress-management and relaxation practices, good health can be sustained for the rest of your life. Elysia is more than a place, it's a state of mind. Spa hotel and independent stays are from a minimum of 2 days and provide you with flexibility, the option to come and go as you please and the opportunity to participate as much or as little as you like.

If you take part in the 7 day Golden Door Program, a trip to Elysia can be a life changing event. At Elysia you'll discover the science of wellbeing and the art of living. The power to make positive changes to your health and wellbeing is in your hands.

Accommodation at Golden Door Elysia

Golden Door Elysia is everything and more that you would expect from a luxury health retreat. The property boasts 74 one, two and three bedroom villas which set new standards in style. The villas at Elysia are an escape from reality to a dream universe of luxury. The rooms were specifically designed to provide a sanctuary in which you can completely surrender to the peace of the Retreat. At your fingertips are cable television, DVD and hi-fi equipment. Room service will deliver mouth-watering spa cuisine to your room and the bathrooms offer a relaxing space for you to do nothing else but purify and nurture the body and soul. For your convenience, in your villa we provide: • Television • DVD player • Stereo/CD player • In room safe • Alarm clock • Bathroom amenities • Hair dryer • Bath robe • Slippers • Iron and ironing board Retreat Options: A stay at Golden Door Elysia is an experience you will never forget. We offer Spa Hotel Stays and Independent Stays with a minimum length of two days or the famous Golden Door Program in which a team of health care professionals is on hand to see that you fulfil your goals - whether it's weight management, learning anti-stress strategies or simply refocusing on your life and health aims. In this secluded paradise, you're encouraged to take time out for you. And once you have left Elysia you will be empowered to build into your daily life the nurturing, life-changing practices you discovered at the Retreat. A Spa Hotel Stay offers more flexibility for your health retreat experience. This stay provides you with the option to come and go as you please and participate as much or as little as you like. Based on a two day minimum stay your package will include: • Stylish villa accommodation • Gourmet breakfast in our scenic restaurant • Use of facilities including a 25 metre heated indoor lap pool, outdoor exercise pool, his and hers saunas and spa pools, floodlit tennis courts, fully equipped gymnasium, indoor half basketball court, library and lounge. During your time at The Golden Door Health Retreat, they offer you the choice to add various components and design you own schedule to suit your needs and maximise the benefits from your stay. An Independent Stay offers you the same flexibility as a spa hotel stay but with many added benefits offering fantastic value. Based on a two day minimum stay, your relaxing stay will include: • Stylish villa accommodation • Gourmet spa cuisine (all meals, snacks and beverages included) • Full use of all facilities including a 25 metre indoor heated lap pool, outdoor exercise pool, his and hers saunas and spa pools, floodlit tennis courts, indoor activity court featuring half basketball court, fully equipped gymnasium, three activity studios, wellness centre, library, lounge and theatrette. • Outdoor exercise areas, walkways and a Meditation Hill. • A diverse range of fitness, health, education and relaxation classes • Health assessment (for stays of 3 days or longer) The Golden Door Program - To best achieve your goals, choose The Golden Door Program, which offers more guidance and structure than a spa hotel or independent stay. Whether your aim is to reduce stress, shed excess kilos, learn new fitness tips, quit smoking, or simply indulge in the peace and bliss of the retreat, we'll help you get there. The Golden Door Program has become famous for producing lasting, tangible health outcomes. It's designed to give you a complete understanding of healthy living and it's a fun, exciting, inspiring and motivating journey into yourself. Our caring staff are always on hand to guide you through the process of change and their know-how will give you practical tips and techniques to take away. The Program commences each Sunday with additional components and sessions only available to Program participants. Your package includes: • Stylish villa accommodation • Gourmet spa cuisine (all meals, snacks and beverages included) • Full use of all facilities including a 25 metre indoor heated lap pool, outdoor exercise pool, his and hers saunas and spa pools, floodlit tennis courts, indoor activity court featuring half basketball court , fully equipped gymnasium, three activity studios, wellness centre, library, lounge, theatrette. • Australia's largest Spa offering unique and specialty treatments. • Outdoor exercise areas, walkways and a Meditation Hill. • A diverse range of fitness, health, education and relaxation classes • Specialty health education seminars on exercise, stress management, nutrition and relaxation • Personal Health and Lifestyle Assessment. Conducted by our staff of nurses, physical education personnel and Program Coordinators, the assessment will not only provide you with valuable feedback about your health, it will also assist our staff to tailor a program specifically for you which maximises the benefits of your stay. • Measurement of blood pressure, heart rate, blood sugar levels, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, aerobic capacity and flexibility. • At the end of the Program week you may choose to have this assessment repeated to quantify achievements made during your stay • Indulgence in our world class spa is a key part of your total relaxation and wellness experience. Your Program includes four complimentary treatments: one facial a la carte, two Swedish massages and one wellness consultation with either a naturopath, dietician or physiotherapist. • A relaxing night's sleep At Elysia they have thought of everything. From the beauty and majesty of the surrounds to the opulently appointed accommodation and the exquisite treatments you will be transported beyond the daily hassles of your life to a tranquil haven where stress simply melts away. Whether you opt for an independent stay or book in for The Golden Door Program, your progress will be monitored at the retreat. A team of health care professionals is at the ready to see that you fulfil your goals - whether it's weight management, recovery from surgery or ill health, learning a Is this your first time visit to a Health Retreat? A stay at Elysia is unlike other vacations you have experienced. Once you have been to Elysia, and have participated in the programs on offer, you will emerge with new skills, improved energy and vitality, a new attitude and a revived commitment to your health and wellbeing. Our aim at Golden Door Elysia is not just to give you a luxurious break, although you will certainly get that, but also to empower you to adopt healthy living practices so you can blend them seamlessly into your daily life. We know that once you have tasted the rejuvenating and exhilarating delights of good health, you will want more! For Program guests, you will achieve greater results by participating in the Program as much as possible. With a variety of activities and seminars, the Program provides everything you need to feel fantastic at the end of your stay. Get involved, try new things, be daring. Let us help you open a new door to unlimited opportunities for wellness. Dining at Golden Door Health Retreat Elysia At Elysia we serve a mouth-watering menu of innovative and flavoursome foods and dishes. Our cuisine is designed to satisfy gourmet palates but it is also built on sound health principles. We believe that food should be fresh and nutritious. We also believe food is a cornerstone of good health. The low fat meals will help promote wellness and will give you an opportunity to sample new and healthy ways to cook and prepare foods. Our spa cuisine will surprise and delight your senses and as a catalyst to improved health it will open a door to an infinite array of nutritious possibilities. A dietician and our detailed food content information will help you assess what to eat and its impact on your health and well being. We believe a healthy breakfast is vital for supplying the energy you need to get through the day. At Elysia our healthy breakfasts comprise fresh fruits, yoghurts, eggs, wholegrain breads, fresh fruit juices and herbal teas as well as a range of healthy gourmet breakfast dishes. Lunchtime at Elysia is a great opportunity to sit down and absorb what you have learned and discovered in your morning sessions. Relax at the table and enjoy our salads, pastas, soups and a la carte gourmet dishes. Your mouth will be watering with the thought of the gourmet food presented at dinner at Elysia. Our chefs prepare innovative daily menus that combine flavours and textures from around the world to produce the finest cuisine. If you are a dessert lover you will revel in the variety of sweet treats on offer - you will be amazed how good low fat desserts can taste! Participants on The Golden Door Program receive personalised meal plans to assist with selecting appropriate meals. Please note: room service is not available for Program guests. Independent retreat guests may wish to dine in their villa. We offer a small menu for daily room service. Personalised meal plans are also offered on arrival to assist with meal selection. Cooking Demonstration Program and independent guests can join our chef and dietician in this complimentary, entertaining demonstration of healthy cooking. Obtain an insight into how our exquisite food comes together and more importantly, the considerations that go into creating a healthy, balanced and sustainable diet. Take away some of the chef's most popular recipes along with the confidence to try them at home. Golden Door Health Retreat Our commitment is to reshape your definition of good health. We achieve this by inviting you to come and discover for yourself what it feels like to experience wellness, balance and vitality. Whilst our professional team of experts is always on hand to consult on your personal health care needs, and will design a plan that will form the basis of your long term wellness, it is also important for you to think about what you want from a stay at Elysia.

If you are coming for a spa hotel or independent stay you may want to design your own schedule. Or if you are coming for a complete wellness injection, and have signed up for The Golden Door Program, you will get more out of it if you are clear about some of your aims and objectives. A Program Coordinator will assist you to get maximum benefit from your stay.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life it can be difficult to find time to relax and unwind. At Golden Door Elysia we are dedicated to giving back what a stressful life takes out - time.

While you are at Elysia you can choose to:
• Take a daily yoga class to discover new ways to release tension in the body
• Enjoy a long leisurely stroll up to Meditation Hill, breathe in the fresh scent of soothing lavender and contemplate the changes you would like to make to your lifestyle.
• Try meditation and Tai Chi to explore your spiritual self
• Relax by the pool or play a round of golf
• Recharge using spa therapies on offer or indulge in a massage or facial
• Book in to see one of our therapists and discover for yourself the benefits of holistic treatments such as acupuncture, naturopathy, or reflexology.
• Schedule an appointment with our naturopath or counsellor to evaluate the effects of stress on your health

Golden Door Elysia offer a comprehensive range of activities, that are complimentary to all independent and Program guests. At Elysia our expert instructors will introduce you to a new holistic approach to exercise that will boost your fitness and uplift your soul. No matter what your level

Activities at Golden Door Elysia Whether you decide to relax by the pool or turn up the volume on your fitness with one of our trainers, we will make sure that exercise is a safe, stimulating and enjoyable part of your stay at Elysia. Some of the activities you may be able to enjoy while at Elysia: • Tai chi • Pilates • Yoga • Meditation • Body balance • Stretch • Fitball • Deep water running • Stroke correction • Aqua noodles • Gym circuit • Indoor hockey • Water polo • Body pump • Body attack • Body balance • Body funk • Volleyball • Badminton • Tennis • Spinning • Hiking • Bike riding • Walks Seminars Whether you choose to join us as an Independent or Program guest, your experience at The Golden Door Health Retreat - Elysia is enhanced through daily seminars building a solid base of understanding of matters relating to your overall general health and wellbeing. Seminars include High Protein Diets, Back Care, Men's Health, Women's Health, Smoking Cessation and a variety of guest speakers. Golden Door Health Retreat Elysia - The Spa The Elysia spa is a world-class, purpose-built facility that has 26 wet and dry rooms offering an extensive array of specialty treatments and spa experiences. It is recommended to pre-book your spa treatments and individual consults and activities. You may call or email the Program Coordinator at any time prior to your arrival. Please note that some treatments and activities are subject to therapist availability. Health Services at Golden Door At Elysia we have gathered a highly skilled and well qualified team of health professionals to provide you with counselling about your health issues. These professionals will approach your issues from a variety of viewpoints but all have one clear focus - helping you improve your quality of life. Please note that some health services and private activity sessions are subject to availability. The Golden Door Elysia Boutique Our Boutique provides everything you will need during your stay and great take home products and gifts. We stock a large range of quality leisure and active wear for men and women, swimwear, hats and caps, backpacks, books and CDs, gifts for all occasions and The Golden Door specialty items. The Boutique also carries an extensive selection of BABOR products for skin care, hair care, men's range, makeup and suncare. Exercise items such as sports shoes, fitballs and yoga mats are available for purchase. Incidental items that you may have forgotten such as toothpaste and deodorant are also available. The Golden Door Herbal Tea The Golden Door's very own signature herbal tea is served exclusively at all Golden Door outlets. It is also available for purchase in our Boutique so you can soothe, nurture and energise at home. The tea features a carefully selected blend of liquorice root, peppermint and fennel, herbs that work to soothe and calm whilst at the same time boosting energy and reducing stress. The tea is bottled in amber glass which is proven to preserve the freshness of the leaves and avoid degeneration of their therapeutic properties and flavour. Loose leaf herbs also avert the harsh processing required in the manufacture of teabags. Golden Door Elysia Location Thompsons Road, Pokolbin, New South Wales (at Cypress Lakes Resort) Travelling by Car - from the centre of Sydney, cross the Harbour Bridge and proceed along the Pacific Highway to the National 1 (F3) Freeway at Wahroonga. Travel north towards Newcastle (approximately 1 hour) 100km. Turn off freeway at Cessnock/Kurri Kurri exit (Highway 82) and follow signs to the retreat. Hire Car - If you would prefer to drive from Sydney or Newcastle airport, a number of vehicle rental companies are available. Journey is approximately 1 hour from Newcastle Airport. This can be arranged with your accommodation package by Total Luxury Australia. Travelling by Air - Domestic airlines operate services into Newcastle Airport from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. We can arrange limousine transfers from Sydney or Newcastle Airports to Elysia. We can also arrange helicopter transfers from Sydney to Elysia. Again, Total Luxury Australia can arrange flights within Australia for you.