Discovering Gaia spa
Olivia & Gregg realise a dream and open Gaia retreat and spa
Story by Melissa Ellis. Photos Bob Weeks
Out for a leisurely drive in the hills near Byron Bay, two long-time friends kept their eyes peeled for the perfect country property. One of them, a north coast resident for more than 20 years, alternating between her home here and in the U.S. the other a city slicker who had sampled glimpses of a more tranquil existence and was keen to buy a local haven.
Both were in need of a diversion, something positive to focus on as they mourned the recent passing of a loved one, little did they know that destiny was about to weave its magic and pave the way for a unique opportunity.
The modest colonial cottage at the foot of the driveway caught their attention first but the For Sale sign belonged to the abandoned property next door, which soon unveiled its beauty and breathtaking views as they climbed the snaking driveway.
At this moment, standing on the highest point in the area, with nothing but blue sky and lush green hills rolling before them, Gregg Cave and Olivia Newton-John felt they had been lead there for a purpose, and the spark for the newly opened Gaia Retreat & Spa was ignited.
Sitting barefoot now on the expansive timber deck off the main pavilion and drinking refreshing, home-made lemongrass tea, Gregg and Olivia reflect on discovering the property, just 10 days after the death of Olivia’s beloved mother Irene, an accomplished woman who was like a second mother to Gregg.
“We drove up from Melbourne and I brought some of her things so I could put them in my house so I would feel closer to her,” Olivia said. “That’s when we found the place, so we always felt that mum’s spirit was here somehow because she loved beauty and she loved nature and she would have loved this place so much.”
Gregg added: “We drove up the driveway and it just took our breath away, we were just taken aback. If you’d said to Olivia or myself let’s go and buy a retreat, a spa,” he trails off and Olivia finishes the sentence laughing: “there’s no way in the world!”
Long before Gregg and Olivia formalised the retreat with the three other partners, Warwick Evans. Anne Radford and Ruth Kalnin, their joint aspirations for the property were sealed in their dreams.
“I think at the time we were just open to anything, to receiving what was meant to happen and we both had a dream about it (the property) and I even dreamt about the name.” Olivia explained.
Meaning spirit of mother earth, the name Gaia has special significance for Olivia, who had first connected with the name in the early 1990s. The ancient Hindu language of Sanskrit and adapted symbols have been used throughout the retreat, acting as a continual link back to the natural environment.
“We went through a million other names after that but I’ve always loved that name.” Olivia explained. “After I had breast cancer and I came to Australia for my recovery I thought I was going to retire but these songs kept coming into my head and I ended up making an album, and I called it Gaia because I felt all my inspiration was coming from mother earth. This area is nature to me and it is the basic spirit of Australia and where I feel most grounded.”
Walking around the property together just weeks before the retreat’s official opening. Gregg and Olivia point out areas of interest and make wisecracks at each other that only old friends could hope to get away with.
Dressed practically for the summer heat in black linen pants, singlet top and sparkling silver thongs for a touch of fun, Olivia is as strikingly beautiful in real life as the cameras continually convey. With chiselled cheek bones and a calm, courteous demeanour, it’s easy to see why she is so clearly adored. Gregg is no wallflower either, with a tall lean frame, striking blonde good looks and an equally sunny and accommodating disposition.
A former actor who learned to indulge his craft as a designer and art dealer thanks to the early encouragement of Olivia’s mother, Gregg has taken a sabbatical from city living to reside at Gaia, dedicating the past nine months of his life to ensure its transformation was complete in time for the end of February opening.
Reflecting their vision for the property, one of the friends’ first endeavours before Olivia first flew back to Los Angeles, was to go plant shopping, loading up their natural bounty for transport back to Gaia.
Months later, on her latest visit, Gregg and Olivia had just unleashed at a local hardware store, securing four trolley loads in a record breaking 30 minutes. (Gregg doesn’t miss the opportunity for a good-natured dig at his friend. if you’re in a hurry remember to shop with a superstar).
Seriously though, it is these personal touches which have instilled the ‘heart’ into Gaia, all five directors have added elements of interest with Gregg overseeing every miniscule aspect of the design and its execution. Like many of the hotels and landmark buildings he has dressed with art, Gaia is a striking balance of style and comfort.
The property has been beautifully designed and furnished, with impeccable attention to detail: like the dramatic floor to ceiling French silk curtains in the common area, hand dyed several times to reveal hues from burnt orange to fuchsia as they sway with the breeze.
The Samoan style contemporary long house, Kukura where guests come to eat, commune and relax is one example of the individual styling, but it wasn’t always like that. The Newrybar property which had witnessed the marriage ceremonies of scores of locals in the past, was a sad, tired tribute to the 1970s before Gregg worked his magic with the input of the other directors.
And with all of them engaged in other areas, cities and even countries in the case of Olivia, who is currently working on another album, Gregg will remain the representative on the ground.
“We think we’ve found a little piece of heaven and because of that we want to share it with people”, Gregg said.
While he remains modest about his efforts, Olivia, having been privy to the before and after scenarios, proffers more lavish praise.
“He’s done this pretty much all by himself, because I’ve been in Los Angeles and the other partners are in Sydney and he’s on the phone and sending us faxes really it’s his creation and I’m very proud of him,” she said.
With a maximum of 40 guests at any time housed in three separate styles of freestanding cottages scattered around the property, the emphasis is on nurturing, relaxation and most importantly - choice.
A series of day beds have been built in various locations around the property with serene country views, offering an alternative to the day spa for those who want to enjoy a treatment in the great outdoors.
A highly qualified chef discusses individual dietary requirements with each guest and the spa treatments available sound like they should be on the menu rather than on the skin. (See our separate north coast health retreat story on page 46 for more comprehensive information about treatments).
Olivia said: “It’s comfortable but it’s not pretentious, (it’s a place) where people can relax. If they want to get away we’re going to have the day beds, they can read a book, they can play tennis, they can take a walk, but it’s not too big, the most we can have here is 40 guests it’s not going to be overwhelming.
“For me, I don’t want to go somewhere that’s huge, I like small hotels for my personal taste.” Gregg is hoping the retreat will appeal to stressed out new millennium living people” a title he identifies with. During a recent trip back to Sydney he suffered the sounds of every screeching tyre acutely after living with the muted muffling of nature, a contrast which took him by surprise.
Olivia Newton-John, on the other hand is someone whose affinity with nature is well documented. Her strong public support of the environment and association with organisations such as Planet Ark is an authentic and very personal belief the local property she has owned for more than 20 years has a forest she has planted.
It should come as no surprise then, that Gaia has been developed in harmony with nature, with state-of-the-art rainwater tanks, bearing fruit trees in season for guests to enjoy and even spa treatments which use minimal water.
Olivia said: “On my property I planted a whole rainforest of 10,000 trees and I’ve got a forest now. I’ve just planted another grove and we’re regenerating the creek. We want each guest at Gaia to plant a rainforest tree, that’s one of our little things. We’ll have another small rainforest and when they come back they’ll see how their tree’s grown.”
Both Gregg and Olivia agree that once you live away from a city, your appreciation for nature grows and conservation can become an extension of that.
On tank water at home, like many people in the country, Olivia ensures water always serves a dual purpose.
“I notice that with the dishes for instance, I don’t just tip it down the drain, I take it out and throw it on the lawn, or I throw it on a plant and if I’m doing my hand laundry I’ll take the water and put it on the flowers outside you don’t waste things, especially water.”
Olivia will be visiting Australia at intervals in 2005 to assist in fundraising efforts for the slated Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre, which will form part of the Austin Health facility in Melbourne. Focussed on patient and family-focussed care, and scheduled to include a Wellness Centre, Olivia said a big fundraiser for the facility is being scheduled mid year.
While Olivia is now busy working on her next album, like the other directors she has left some of her own items at Gaia, adding to its character.
The silken leopard print throw rug in the main pavilion is hers and the bookcase was her mum’s, Irene’s nature photographs have also been digitally produced onto canvas by Mother Art to grace the guest room walls. In a lovely touch, guests will have the option of ordering their own copies, with profits going to the Liv Foundation, which will support the funding of the ONJ Cancer Centre.
For his part Gregg is content with his career change and keen to share Gaia’s magic with both city dwellers and those closer to home who might just feel like a touch of pampering.
“We are pushed into a society that is dictated by greed and what I want to do is pull people away from that and allow them to take a step back and reflect on their life and who they are as a person,” Gregg said. “Coming to Gaia will give people the opportunity to renew, refresh and restore.”
“I feel like I’ve come home, it’s an amazing feeling, there’s a real sense of heart in this place.”
Gaia Retreat & Spa at Brooklet is a short drive from the Pacific Highway at Newrybar (near Bangalow). For contact details and further information on this and other North Coast Health Retreats see our feature on page 46.