Tallebudgera Valley Wellness Resort Greenlit

Tony De Leede’s plans for a new wellness retreat overlooking the Tallebudgera Valley have won approval. 

The Fitness First founder filed plans for Eco View Retreat with the Gold Coast City Council late last year to develop a wellness retreat down the road from his world-renowned Gwinganna retreat.

Studio P designed the 15 cabins and central pavilion for the nature-based wellness retreat that will be nestled on a cleared area on the 28ha site at 660 Trees Road, Tallebudgera Valley. 

The retreat is intended to operate as a venue for group bookings for a maximum of 30 people with a focus on wellness and the environment, with activities including hikes, equine therapy and yoga. 

And it’s a model that has worked well for De Leede, with the ‘facilities-for-hire’ concept proving a success at his Bali-based retreat, Komune. 

De Leede said he believed Covid-19 had reinforced the need for people to escape the demands of city living and put greater emphasis on mental and physical wellness. 

“The pandemic has caused people, both domestically and internationally, to rethink their attitude towards their lifestyle,” planning documents said. 

“The Gold Coast is in the midst of a domestic migration of residents from the southern states as a result of the city’s enviable lifestyle offerings. The proposed development is an emerging industry for the city’s tourism sector and is supported by a range of recently released strategic plans to boost Queensland’s economy post the pandemic.

▲ Gwinganna was on the block earlier this year, and was named the Best Luxury Eco Spa at the World Luxury Spa Awards last year.

“Gwinganna prides itself on its relationship with the Tallebudgera community and is built on a foundation of environmental appreciation and environmentally sensitive design principles and practices.

“These principles and practices are proposed to be carried through to the proposed development.”

The development will be positioned around a central pavilion that will include reception, dining, kitchen, lounge, laundry and staff quarters. 

A large multi-purpose room is proposed for the north-western side of the pavilion, which will be flanked by an extended deck and pool.

Gwinganna was on the market this year with an expressions of interest campaign closing in March. 

The Urban Developer understands there were two parties interested in acquiring the property, which was named the Best Luxury Eco Spa at the World Luxury Spa Awards last year. 

Meanwhile, Fortescue chair Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest’s Tattarang dropped $30 million on a Byron Bay health retreat nearby.