About Us

Cabarita Ocean Retreat provides a unique experience of wellbeing, fitness and relaxation. Our world class health retreat offers a beachfront location on the North Coast of New South Wales.

The position and facilities allow you to treat yourself to all the luxury and comfort we have to offer and still feel as if you are in your home, away from home. Our staff are handpicked for their professional qualifications, communication skills and nurturing spirit.

Nutritious cuisine is prepared in an open kitchen, not only allowing you to get a sneak peak, but also to be inspired by the aromas of our mouth-watering specialties. While the Chef is at work, you can relax on the lounge, go for a surf, read a book in front of the fireplace, attend an exercise class or have an energising gym work out. Then when you are ready, dinner will be served…

Throughout the year, you will enjoy the gentle warmth, fresh coastal breezes and sunshine of Northern New South Wales.

At Cabarita Ocean Retreat we have an innovative approach to health and wellness and we offer holistic programs for an exceptionally refreshing, re-energising and inspiring experience. During a typical week, a variety of outdoor exercises, mind-body classes and spa treatments are offered in a nurturing, safe and comfortable environment.

Our Philosophy & inspiration

Cabarita Ocean Retreat recognises how easily balance and fulfillment can be lost in our everyday life and provides the opportunity to help regain a state of harmony and wellbeing. We are committed to helping people achieve optimum health, happiness and balance in their lifestyle, through a holistic approach.

Inspiration

Cabarita Ocean Retreat was founded and created by Susie Peterson. Susie’s dream was to bring together all the elements for a healthy lifestyle to fortify mind, body and spirit in a true health retreat environment. Susie believes that by creating a unique experience for guests that demonstrates just how good healthy living can feel, they will leave inspired to make the changes needed to live like this at home. Susie feels it is important that people’s boundaries are expanded and new experiences are offered in every program. The mission of Cabarita Ocean Retreat reflects Susie’s belief that all people have the power to live longer, healthier, more meaningful lives, through healthy choices. This philosophy is at the core of every program and service at Cabarita Ocean Retreat.

Environment

As Cabarita Ocean Retreat offers a holistic, integrative health and wellness experience, we strive to develop a harmonious balance with nature, while delivering a superior guest experience. By embracing a clean and healthy food philosophy, using fresh organic and biodynamic foods, we try to leave a footprint that is green and friendly in the world around us.

As we aim to help people live in greater balance with the natural world, we strive to minimise our own impact on the environment by using a natural skin care product range, recycle when appropriate and use renewable resources whenever possible.

Our Professionals

Susie Peterson

Susie - founder and creator of Cabarita Ocean Retreat - is the entrepreneur and developer with a passionate interest for health and wellbeing. It is her vision and ideals that are created at Cabarita Ocean Retreat with the support of the Peterson family and a very committed team of professionals.

"Our mission was to create a place of bushland serenity on the ocean where your spirit can retreat into the childlike joy and wonder at the discovery of a pure new inner self energised and ready to tackle new spiritual, mental and physical challenges” - Susie Peterson.

Brook Ramage

Brook Ramage is the Co Founder and General Manager of Cabarita Ocean Retreat. From qualifying with a Physical Education degree at Victorian University in 1985, Brook has embarked on a career path which has seen him go from school teacher, personal trainer, health club Manager to Health Retreat Manager. Brook has written for many newspapers and industry magazines on health, lifestyle and stress management.

His enthusiasm and expertise has meant he has been sought after for media interviews and regular appearances on TV and radio. Brook has presented nationally and internationally to many companies on the subject of stress management and resilience. Brook’s message on health and fitness is not only a great source of entertainment, but will leave individuals with real benefits to their performance and quality of life.

Samantha Gowing

Samantha is a therapeutic chef, an award-winning clinical nutritionist and a renowned teacher of food as medicine who founded Gowings Food Health Wealth twelve years ago - a business service that celebrates organic produce and encompasses her teachings complemented by her previous incarnation as a highly successful restaurateur and hotelier of the historic Grace Darling Hotel in Collingwood, Victoria. Her global organic cooking school specialises in creating exclusive Surf Spa Food menus for luxury health retreats and hotels.

Born, bread and raised in the inner city of Melbourne, Sam now lives in Byron Bay, New South Wales where she enjoys the beautiful beaches, great surf and revered produce and lifestyle of the surrounding region. She writes a popular gluten free recipe blog called Bitter Sweet Sour and is one if the inaugural students studying with Le Cordon Bleu to become a Master of Gastronomic Tourism. Sam is absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to ensconce her signature cuisine at Cabarita Ocean Retreat.

Louise Miller

Born in Tasmania and involved in the hospitality industry from an early age, Louise's own health challenges have lead her to passionately help others with their health journeys.
Louise has facilitated many children's and community health promotion projects and has thoroughly enjoyed being second chef at prestigious health retreats.The benefits of raw food nutrition has become of great interest to her and she is delighted to be able share her knowledge and delicious, living cuisine with our retreat guests.

Victoria Ramage

Victoria brings an experience of 20 years in the Spa Health Retreat Industry in Australia. After graduating with honours from Diploma in Beauty Therapy, Victoria was awarded the prestigious title of Beauty Therapist of the Year QLD as voted by the A.A.B.T.H (Australian Association of Beauty Therapists). Further qualifications include ITEC International, Certificate lll Swedish Massage and Lymphatic Drainage.

Daniel Nimmo

Cabarita Ocean Retreat’s head Personal Trainer, Daniel Nimmo is also an accredited and registered Naturopath, Nutritionist, Western Herbalist, Massage Therapist and Sports Coach. Daniel has spent the past four and a half years operating as a Personal Trainer at health retreats in Australia where he has built a solid reputation as an Australian fitness industry leader.

Daniel has also been an integral player in the start-up of the WISE academy on the Gold Coast lecturing the certificate III and IV in Fitness to aspiring Personal Trainers. His client list includes elite sportsmen and women as well as numerous celebrities both from home and abroad. With a select private clientele and a passion for integrative healing, Daniel has been successful in implementing health and wellness programs encompassing all of his experience and qualifications for the better part of a decade.

Sandra Uijland

Sandra is our Operations Manager and a founding staff member for more then a year. She has been an integral component in the establishment of the retreat who holds a Master degree in International Hospitality Management from University of Surrey (England). In 2006 Sandra moved to Australia where she worked with the leading organic store Nature’s Child for four years before a stint at Elysia in the Hunter Valley where she utilised her skills as a Pilates instructor and fitness leader within the wellness arena.

Previously she worked for MetaVisie in Holland for six years – a company renowned for their executive spiritual and personal growth programs with luminaries like Deepak Chopra, Anthony Robbins and Byron Katie. A keen vegetarian, Sandra has a driving passion for the wellness industry and customer service.