Take a Soul Journey to Queenstown for a real treat

When the daily ‘chatter’ becomes too much, the ‘to do’ list has taken over and the batteries need serious re-charging, two wellness specialists have the perfect solution – a Soul Journey Retreat in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Being Queenstown, these are so much more than straightforward detox, fitness or yoga retreats. The wide range of Soul Journeys Wellness Retreats are billed as ‘real treats’ not ‘retreats’.

Soul Journeys is the inspiration of Amanda Woolridge and Sandi Murphy, who met in 2005 when Amanda was teaching Body Balance and Sandi was teaching yoga at a local gym. Both have plenty in common – they’re passionate about wellness, happiness, yoga, work/life balance, spirituality, helping others and creating a better world.


Queenstown-based Soul Journeys founders Sandi Murphy (L) and Amanda Woolridge. Photo courtesy of Southern PR

The pair say the inspiration behind Soul Journeys is to invite women and men to take time out “just for themselves”.

“We encourage people to unplug themselves from the world of ‘busyness’, reconnect with their authentic self, and renew body, mind and soul,” says Sandi.

“Queenstown’s a very special place and a natural wellness destination, not only for its pristine nature and pure inspiration but also because of the ‘buzz’ of our small Alpine town. It’s also home to our favourite cafés and restaurants where those on our retreats indulge in healthy, nutritious and mouthwatering food, prepared by some of New Zealand’s top chefs.

“We’re working with a range of accommodation providers from great backpackers to mid-range apartments and luxury hotels so the retreats suit a range of budgets.”

The retreats themselves range from everything from a two-day Wellness Weekend to five-day Awaken, Inspire or Yoga Detox retreats.


A walk to the Basket of Dreams on Queenstown Hill is a ‘real treat’ for those on a Soul Journeys retreat. Photo courtesy of Southern PR

Each retreat includes an Intention Setting Ceremony to set people up for a mindful and inspirational week, a daily yoga session, daily ‘mindfulness’ practice, massages, treatments, seminars, walks, outings, delicious and nutritious cuisine, plenty of ‘Soulo’ time to reconnect, reflect or simply relax, and a reflective Soul Journeys journal to take home.

“What’s so very different is that we have created a Queenstown community to welcome and embrace our Soul Journey visitors,” says Amanda.

“We have a number of local Soul Guides to help lead parts of each retreat and we make a real effort to connect with inspirational and supportive local businesses.

“I’ve travelled all over the world but there’s something really beautiful and soulful about this place. This environment encourages you to be reflective.”

A Soul Journey ‘taster’ is a one-day guided mini Re-Treat designed to find ‘The Missing Peace’ and once a year the pair will guide a six-night retreat to Ubud, Bali for a nurturing immersion of yoga, meditation, life seminars, educational sessions and cultural inspiration.

The Global Spa and Wellness Summit 2013 reports that wellness tourism is a ‘global mega trend’. It says more people are embracing overall healthier lifestyles and those behaviours are now being integrated into their travel and vacation habits.


Practising yoga is good for mind, soul and spirit when it’s in the Queenstown outdoors . Photo courtesy of Southern PR

“We’re both busy working mothers ourselves so we know just how easy it is to lose sight of your soul,” says Sandi. “You get stressed, work takes over, the weekends are spent shuttling the family to sports activities and when do you have any ‘me’ time?

“Our job is to help people get out of their heads and into their bodies, to hear that quieter inner voice when the volume of life is too much. When they go home, we show people just how to incorporate mini retreats into their daily lives.

“They can definitely come more than once though and bring new friends when they do – the retreats will differ according to the time of year and some of our winter retreats incorporate some skiing. Since we have such distinctive seasons we know there will be year-round appeal.”

The retreats are small, personalized and well-priced, as Sandi and Amanda want them to be widely achievable and an opportunity that’s available to all.

“Soul Journeys has been three years in the making so we’re thrilled to finally launch it and welcome our first ‘real-treaters’,” they say.

Further details are available at www.souljourneys.co.nz