Shambhala Byron Bay — 14 Childe St, Australia

Four rainforest cottages on Belongil Beach, Byron Bay, named in Sanskrit

The name Shambhala, the pages explain, means "pure land" or "mythical hidden kingdom" in Buddhism. The property is not easy to find. It sits secluded almost at the end of a private road between Belongil Creek and the ocean, at 14 Childe Street, a few kilometres from the centre of Byron Bay. Guests who find it are met by temple doors and statues, then a large Brazilian amethyst, with giant rose quartz crystals set around the grounds. The site describes amethyst as a stone with healing and protective qualities. From there an elevated boardwalk leads past water features to the cottages, which sit within the canopy of the rainforest. The land runs to the sand, at the confluence of the Coral Sea to the north and the Tasman Sea to the south. There are three cottages and one studio, sleeping thirteen people in all, and each is named in Sanskrit. Samadhi, a one-bedroom two-storey cottage with a private ocean-facing spa pool and an outdoor Balinese bath, is called the honeymoon retreat. Sarita means "flowing" or "river" and is named for the nearby creek. It has three bedrooms, sleeps five and has its own spa pool behind Balinese doors. Shanti means peace. It is a two-bedroom, two-storey cottage for four, with a jacuzzi below it and an ocean-front deck with a beach cabana. Shiva is a one-bedroom studio for two. Its large living room faces the rainforest and a buddha pond, and the pages suggest it for meditation and yoga practice. All four are self-contained. Guests share a steam room and a hot rock sauna, and the pages stress the privacy each cottage keeps. The site says honeymooners, families, birthday and anniversary celebrations and retreat groups all stay here. One guest account mentions a large lounge used as the yoga room during yoga retreats. Pets are welcome by approval. The pages also list a blog post titled "Meditation and Mindfulness at Shambhala". Guests rate it 4.6 across 53 reviews. One visitor describes it as a reset for the nervous system, and another writes of waking to the sound of waves.

Traditions: Meditation, Yoga, Mindfulness, Hot Rock Sauna, Steam Room

Programs: Yoga retreats, Meditation and mindfulness, Honeymoon retreats, Birthday and anniversary celebrations, Samadhi Retreat, Sarita Retreat, Shanti Retreat, Shiva Retreat