Forget Bali. This island is the world’s top wellness destination – Nine.com.au

June 21, 2026 – 7.00pm
Thanks to our busy schedules and hectic day-to-day lives, when Aussies plan their next holiday, all we really want to do is relax.
It’s no surprise wellness travel is so popular right now, as people seek out vacations where they can kick back, rest, and look after themselves.
A wellness holiday can be as simple as relaxing in nature.  iStock
Despite some misconceptions, wellness travel doesn’t have to come with a huge price tag. It’s not all luxury resorts and bougie high-end spas.
In fact, the number one wellness destination in the world for 2026 is a low-cost holiday spot for Aussies that’s growing in popularity – and it just got even cheaper.
According to a new report from travel platform BookRetreats.com, Sri Lanka is the world’s top wellness destination for 2026, seeing a 100 per cent increase in interest year-on-year.
The island just off the coast of India is sometimes called ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’ due to its stunning landscapes and rich culture.
In fact, this feeds into its wellness offerings: travellers can embrace itineraries rooted in doctor-led Ayurveda tradition more than 2,000 years old.
Besides that, it’s also got pristine, palm-fringed beaches, lush rainforests, wildlife safaris, and year-round sunshine.
Sri Lanka has also just dropped its $70 tourist visa fee for Australians, making it even easier to visit.
Sri Lanka is a low-cost option for Aussies.  iStock
Per the report, Australia is the world’s second-best wellness destination, seeing an 85 per cent increase in searches. From coastal retreats in Byron Bay to off-grid camping in the Outback, we have a lot to offer in the wellness sphere.
One of the biggest wellness travel trends this year, according to The Global Wellness Institute, is heat contrast therapy and rituals.
Australia is perhaps one of the best places to experience this in nature, with everything from hot springs on the Mornington Peninsula to cold-water swims in Tasmania’s clear, fresh waters.
There are endless outdoor wellness experiences in Australia.  iStock
Morocco follows in third, offering an affordable alternative to Europe’s pricier wellness escapes. The draws include centuries-old hammams, treatments rooted in the land’s own plants and clays, and a seawater therapy tradition born on the Atlantic coast at Agadir.
England ranked next in fourth place, driven in part by a new off-grid wellness trend. Rural wellness escapes are all the rage, and England has plenty of quaint towns and villages perfect for a low-key escape.
Travellers are swapping the spa for cold-water swimming in the Lake District tarns, sea-dipping along the South Devon coast and off-grid foraging retreats in the Cotswolds.
Morocco's hammams are a classic spa experience.  iStock
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