Hungover, bloated and stressed from the festive season, Aussie’s are flocking to health retreats in droves as they pledge to go booze-free and commit to healthier lifestyles for the New Year.

John Feenaghty, general manager of hotel deals website Quickbeds.com said he has seen an influx of bookings for health-retreat style holidays after Christmas and New Year’s Eve in January and February so far.

“I think festive season overindulgence has played a part and people are trying to start the year by making good on their new year’s resolutions,” Feenaghty said.

“In the New Year, many Australians vow to spend more time on self-improvement, reinvention and to place a stronger emphasis on their health, and we’ve definitely seen this reflected with the spike in health retreat interest on Quickbeds.com.”

Practicing dietician Jemma O’Hanlon said that overindulging during the festive season is part of the Aussie culture, but agrees that attitudes towards health are shifting for the better, which may explain the rise in popularity of health retreats.

“It’s certainly normal to overindulge a little at Christmas time. But for some people, the festive season indulgence seems to go on for months and months, and this can be very detrimental to an individual’s health,” she said.

“I would encourage Australians to take a lifestyle approach in 2012 - focus on achieving your goals by being active and eating a well balanced diet.”

Victorian mother and hospitality worker Jess Mason started 2012 with a rebalancing and relaxing spa experience, booking an overnight package at Peppers Springs Spa Retreat with her husband.

“I’m not a regular day spa person, but my husband and I really needed a reinvigorating start to the year, after having a somewhat unexpected third child last year amidst renovating a house,” Mason said.

“We were burnt out, and then we had Christmas which was pretty stressful and full on – you’re always trying to please everyone, driving here and there to see various family members – and we let ourselves go with food a little bit.

“It was nice to feel so special, rebalance our bodies with massages, detoxify in the sauna and eat really clean, fresh food.

“It allowed us to return home feeling re-motivated and re-energised in all aspects of our life; as parents, as a couple, at work, and health-wise as well.”

Quickbeds.com has some great accommodation deals for those wanting to reverse the damage of the festive season at one of Australia’s best health retreats.

THIS VIC DEAL WAS $280
VIC
Hepburn Springs $215
ENJOY overnight accommodation in the Peppers Spring Retreat and Mineral Spa from $215 per night.  Valid for travel from January 11 to April 30, 2012. Subject to availability.

THIS VIC DEAL WAS $639
VIC
Rothbury $339
STAY overnight in a private villa at the Chataeu Elan in Rothbury from $279 per night, including full breakfast for two.  The villa boasts views of The Vintage fairways and Hunter Valley, an open-plan bedroom and living area, plus en-suite bathroom (with spa-bath) and guest parking located beside your villa. Subject to availability.

THIS NSW DEAL WAS $1,950
NSW
Wolgan Valley $1,450
SPEND two nights in a private suite at the Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa from $1,450 per night.  The room includes stunning views of the Wolgan Valley and beyond, a private pool surrounded by a garden of native plants and shrubs and a spacious verandah adjoins it, as well as a central, double-sided fireplace of local sandstone inside the suite. Subject to availability.