Quietcations in NSW: off-grid stays, silent retreats & more

Escape to an off-grid stay in the wilderness  

NSW is covered in dramatic and radically diverse scenery, and for every mountain backdrop, bucolic paddock and coastline there’s a cabin with a view and an invitation to zone out. If not a hut, find peace in a chic glamping set up, a tiny home where you decide how much phone reception you want or an off-grid retreat that could be surrounded by snow, sheep, water, mountains, bush or a mix of the above.  

Read more: Off-grid huts, retreats and cabins in NSW  

Zone out at a wellness retreat  

Wellness is different for everyone. To you, wellness could mean yoga workshops followed by sound healing or it could mean soothing massages and sauna sessions. With luxury retreats on secluded tropical islands, all-female pop-ups, multi-day immersions and silent retreats in the mountains, NSW’s wellness retreats answer almost any need.  

Read more: 13 of the best wellness escapes in NSW

Feel like a tiny speck in the universe at a remote natural wonder 

Almost every traveller in the state knows the Three Sisters, but take an extra minute to find the state’s more remote, hidden drawcards and reward yourself with quiet while you wonder at a rock formation that looks like the spine of a great monster, a night sky so star-filled it’s internationally recognised and forests with flora that dates back to the dinosaur era.  

Read more: Remote natural wonders in NSW national parks

Find quiet luxury in a day spa 

Imagine the hands of a masseuse loosening the knots in your shoulder while you look onto an ocean view framed by the greens of a rainforest, picture yourself in a traditional Japanese bathhouse on the edge of the Blue Mountains or dream about a rejuvenating treatment that makes you feel like you were born yesterday. NSW is dotted with luxurious, spiritual and holistic spa experiences, you just need to decide which one is for you.   

Read more: Top day spas and spa destinations in NSW 

Recreate the spa experience in nature

While NSW cities and towns host all manner of luxury spas, nature has been providing spa experiences since humans have been on earth, and many are free or at a fraction of the cost of a traditional spa session. Bathe in a spectacular ocean pool (take your time to find one of the quieter spots); soak in the sounds, sights and misty air around a waterfall (some provide secluded swimming spots); or relax in the warm, winter waters of a thermal pool or hot spring.  

Read more: How to recreate the spa experience in nature in NSW

Just you, your fishing rod, the river and the bush 

There are few things more silent, meditative and relaxing than sitting by the water with a line in and no deadline on the horizon. If it’s just about the art of sitting and being surrounded by the bush, then nab a licence and find the nearest estuary that makes you happy. Otherwise, plan a trip for the Snowy Mountains, Bega River, Blue Mountains, Lake Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, The Murray and Lake St Clair for waters with good catches, or try one of the state’s many beautiful beaches for a picturesque day with your reel.  

Read more: An expert’s guide to fishing in NSW

Walk a trail that feels a million miles from human settlement 

From a four-kilometre track along the Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk to 57 kilometres of urban detox on the epic Snowies Alpine Walk, NSW has every kind of walk a quietcation traveller could need. Find options for dog-friendly hikes, coastal journeys and multi-day hikes (both self-guided and guided).  

Read more: The best hikes and walks in NSW

Wash away your worries underwater 

One of the easiest, stress-free ways to shut off all the sounds of the city, the workplace and your mind is to be underwater, where the only soundscape is the whispers of the waves and their residents. NSW is full of lively snorkel spots where you can meet turtles, seals, tropical fish, sharks (the harmless variety), rays, coral and more.  

Read more: The best snorkelling spots in NSW

Find a portion of earth all to yourself and your tent 

A little bit of extra driving, walking or searching and you’ll find yourself with a patch of nature hardly any other humans know about. Set up your tent, enjoy the views and you’ll find plenty of beings that do know about it, they’re just covered in fur or feathers.  

Read more: 18 secret camping spots in NSW

Retreat from the city and everyone else 

Solo travel gives unique opportunities for self-discovery, meditative journeys and exploration of the outdoors. NSW offers myriad experiences, adventurous and peaceful, for solo travellers to find themselves or something they’ve never encountered before.  

Read more: Solo travel tips from an expert