Elements of Byron Bay, and its onsite Osprey Spa, has been honoured in the 2025 Spa & Wellness Awards.
The wellness travel trend isn’t leaving anytime soon. In fact, it’s only growing and evolving. But one thing that will never go out of style in wellness is the simple pleasure of spending time at a good spa. And in 2025, Elements of Byron was crowned Best Hotel or Resort Focused on Wellness at the prestigious Spa & Wellness Awards, thanks in large part to its award-winning Osprey Spa.
This award recognises the resort’s holistic, nature-based approach to wellbeing (anchored by Osprey Spa) and its intentional location in an environment designed to restore both body and mind. What’s that location? A casual 50 acres of rainforest, eucalypt, wetland and dune ecologies on the edge of Belongil Beach.
Find moments of peace, in and out of the spa.
“Elements of Byron is where luxury meets responsibility and self-care meets environmental care," said Osprey Spa Manager, Amy Back. “We’re proud to be recognised among Australia’s best and to share this achievement with our invested team and guests."
Back’s team vision has always been to create wellness experiences that are not just relaxing, but also restorative and real. “This award celebrates the passion and integrity behind everything we do, from sustainable operations to the way we source ingredients, train staff and care for our guests and our environment."
The resort has been integrating nature with the guest experience since its opening in 2016. Sunrise yoga classes, self-guided meditation rituals, rainforest walks and more are a special part of the experience. Native and locally sourced ingredients are used everywhere, from the on-site restaurant to Osprey Spa treatments featuring native botanicals.
Osprey Spa is the elemental heart of the resort.
This year, Osprey Spa unveiled an exclusive partnership with Vanessa Megan Skincare, an Australian certified organic beauty and wellness brand harnessing the power of native botanicals, including banksia, Davidson plum, tea tree and lemon myrtle – many of which grow naturally on the resort grounds. Guests staying at the resort can see, smell and touch these same ingredients on guided rainforest walks led by Elements of Byron’s resident naturalist.
Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
A great night out doesn’t need a road trip, just the right bar. Swap the long drive for an evening at these standout Sydney venues.
If you’re thinking of a staycation or a long weekend (with foodie benefits), you can’t get much better than the bright lights and beautiful vistas of Sydney. From tucked-away bars to late-night hidden hangs, Australia’s (unofficial) favourite city is packed full of venues that make staying local feel like an adventure.
1. El Vista, Circular Quay
Enjoy tasty cocktails and gorgeous Sydney views. (Credit: Mario Francisco)
This welcoming bar by the Maybe Sammy team offers a fun buzz and jaw-dropping harbour views. Part of the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, this lounge bar sits above Circular Quay with the harbour on one side and the Botanical Gardens on the other. You may start here for pre-dinner drinks, but you won’t want to leave before the early hours. If the 1960s Acapulco vibe isn’t enough, the views will be – the Sydney Harbour Bridge is so close it hardly fits in the window, while ferries glide by all night.
2. Bar Allora, CBD
Settle in for a taste of Italy.
Inspired by Milan in the 1980s, Bar Allora brings Italian style and culture to the CBD. Although it’s officially part of the Mantra 2 Bond Street hotel, it’s designed to look and feel like you’ve travelled to Italy for all-day dining. Think espresso in the morning, aperitivo in the afternoon and Negronis late into the night. Accompany your liquid diet with Italian-style small plates and pastas with a modern twist.
3. Percy, Pyrmont
Spanish-style tapas and wine is the name of the game. (Credit: Steven Woodburn)
Taking centre stage in the luxe foyer of the Woolstore 1888 Hotel in Pyrmont, Percy is a popular Spanish-style tapas and wine bar serving food that makes you want to linger. The restored 138-year-old wool store creates an atmospheric backdrop to your glass of merlot with exposed timber beams, brick and the echoes of Sydney’s past. With an air of Barcelona, expect low conversations, creative dining and the city moments away.
4. The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD
Seafood lovers should head to The Crudo Bar. (Credit: Nikki To)
Grab a seat at the beautifully designed crudo bar, taking centre stage in Giovanni Pilu’s latest CBD restaurant, Flaminia. Enjoy a glass of chilled Vermentino from Sardinia or prosecco from the hills of Treviso, matched with freshly shucked oysters. Complement your seafood with a range of special dressings, influenced by iconic Italian port cities. It’s the perfect spot for a pre- or post- glass of wine before visiting the Sydney Opera House.
5. Mee So, Sydney Central
Enjoy Japanese-influenced food and drinks.
For something a little different, Mee So is a modern, neon-lit Japanese-influenced bar in the Ibis Sydney Central. Serving bold flavours and umami-heavy dishes alongside sake and yuzu-infused cocktails, this Tokyo-esque venue offers an escape from the busy streets outside. Order steaming ramen, a Japanese whisky, and make a corner of Mee So yours for the night.
6. Bar Morris, Haymarket
Settle into old-world European glamour.
Housed in a 1929 heritage-listed building, Bar Morris brings old-world European glamour to the Hotel Morris Sydney, part of Accor’s Handwritten Collection. More of a destination than a pitstop, this bar leans into its Art Deco past with velvet features, intimate lighting and bold brass finishes. Here you can order smaller plates like burrata, cured meats, and seasonal seafood to match your martini.
7. Pumphouse, Darling Harbour
Enjoy a tipple inside a building from the 1880s.
When you first walk into Pumphouse, you’ll quickly notice the high ceilings, exposed brick and industrial-style decor. Officially part of the busy Novotel Darling Square, this busy local hang doesn’t feel like it; it’s housed inside a former hydraulic pumping station from the 1880s – hence the name – and is a local institution. Grab a seat if you can and order off the classic modern Australian menu, before trying one of the many craft beers on tap to wash it down.
8. Wentworth Bar, CBD
Drink where the celebrities once did.
Designed for big groups and late-night cocktails, this open-air terrace bar is part of the Sydney Sofitel Wentworth – one of Sydney’s most iconic hotels. Once the watering hole of royals and celebrities, this mid-century building has recently been refurbished to be sleek, modern and inviting. The stunning rooftop bar attracts Sydneysiders who love to watch the sunset with a table full of Vietnamese and French-inspired dishes.
9. Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington
See the city skyline, drink in hand.
Sitting pretty on top of a restored 110-year-old theatre, Monica is a Hollywood-style rooftop bar with views across Paddington and the city skyline. Part of the 25hrs The Olympia hotel, this isn’t a quick drink kind of place; it’s a ‘let’s stay all night’ kind of venue. Weekend DJs will take you from sunset to late-night conversations, while you graze on ceviche, grilled meats or sharing plates.
