Transformative wellness and adventure retreats in South Australia.

2025 dates:

Wilpena - May 1-4, October 3-6 long weekend

Fleurieu - October 10-12

Adelaide Hills - May 9 & 11, October 17 & 18

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Active Rest Retreats aims to help women embody wellness and self-healing tools, making them accessible for everyday life. Bringing together the wellness modalities of yoga and outdoor adventure, Active Rest prioritises connecting guests to self, nature, Aboriginal cultures, and community. Co-founders Sarah and Elise combine their expertise in yoga, breathwork, and slow living, along with beginner-friendly bushwalking, paddle boarding and kayaking, for the shared mission of teaching others how to actively rest, and be more restfully active. 

Meet the Founders, Sarah & Elise

Sarah Hayes and Elise Lavers first crossed paths in 2016, working as tour guides on charter boats with a shared passion for connecting people to the natural world and fostering a culture of sustainable tourism.

While the job offered incredible opportunities, the 15-hour days at sea were relentless—marked by the constant demands of tending to others, staying switched-on, and racing ahead of tight schedules; all while dealing with seasick passengers, rough conditions, and sharks! In a culture where hustle and exhaustion were badges of honor, Sarah and Elise dreamed of doing things differently, believing that nature-based tourism could nurture both guests and guides alike.

Fast forward six years: Sarah and Elise had each pursued their passions, launching yoga and outdoor adventure businesses respectively. A chance meeting at a wellness tourism summit birthed a shared vision; to offer retreats on Adnyamathanha Country in the Flinders Ranges, SA.

With Sarah’s expertise in yoga, breathwork, and meditation, Elise’s skills in bushwalking, wilderness first aid, and outdoor guiding, and their mutual dedication to empowering women, slow living, and sharing Aboriginal cultures, the first Active Rest Retreat was born in 2022. Today, Sarah and Elise co-direct the company, offering three signature retreats that have welcomed hundreds of women from across Australia.

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Psychology and is a certified Vinyasa and Pranayama yoga teacher. Elise holds a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Health Science and is a qualified bushwalking and kayaking guide.

We can’t wait to retreat with you soon!

Upcoming Retreats:

The Wilpena Women's Weekend is an all-inclusive package that combines luxurious and heated glamping safari tent accommodation, nourishing restaurant prepared meals, yoga, meditation, breathwork, bushwalking and cultural experiences on Adnyamathanha Country at the ancient and sacred site of Ikara, within the Flinders Ranges National Park.

The Fleurieu Retreat combines all the good stuff, close to home - nourishing food, yoga, meditation, breathwork, bushwalking and cultural learning - on Ngarrindjeri Country along the coast of the gorgeous Fleurieu Peninsula overlooking the Southern Ocean.

  • "The biggest transformation was the realisation that regular attendance at retreats solely focused on yourself are just as important as a yearly check up at the doctor. We can all go on bush walks with friends or family or attend a yoga class, however to be there by myself with no one else to look after or focus on was revitalising! No decisions to make as Elise and Sarah had it all covered, all I had to do was just “be immersed” in the process. I’ve always loved nature but to be lead through the experience was so much better. "

    Active Rest Retreats Guest

  • "The Resort over delivered on my expectations. The Glamping tents were cosy and warm, the food was outstanding but best of all would have to be the insightful cultural experiences. I especially enjoyed the walk through the Sacred Canyon as our Guide was well informed and I found the history fascinating. "

    Wilpena Womens Weekend Guest

  • "I realised just how much getting into nature and switching off soothes my nervous system. I felt like I could breathe again. Wearing masks constantly means I’ve unwittingly become a shallow breather and it was so nice to concentrate on breathing deeply again. My biggest take-away is that connection, exercise and nature need to be part of my maintenance tool-kit. I’ve come away from this retreat feeling so much more present and able to breathe deeply again. "

    Active Rest Retreats Guest

  • "These aspects of the retreat ticked all the boxes. My expectations were far exceeded whilst doing yoga in our communal tent with the weather on full display. It was so nice to spend time focussing and relearning to breathe in a way that was so beneficial for my nervous system. "

    Wilpena Womens Weekend Guest

  • "Fun; competent; genuine; intelligent; inspiring; comprehensive. "

    Active Rest Retreats Guest

  • "I am so glad that I joined this retreat. It is without a doubt one of the best retreat experiences I have had. I was initially intimidated at the thought of going away with 10 women I hadn’t met but I am so glad I did. Elise and Sarah facilitated a sense of belonging and compassion and by the first night we all felt like we were old friends. It was truly a not to be missed experience and I highly recommend booking on to the next available retreat. You won’t be disappointed."

    Wilpena Womens Weekend Guest