Seeking Stillness: Discover Mindful Escapism At Crystalbrook Byron
Escapism redefined
By Kiri Johnston | 8th April 2025Escape isn’t always about where you go. It’s about what you’re hoping to find when you get there.
Today, travel is less about ticking off destinations and more about understanding why we choose to leave in the first place. What compels us to board the plane, book the retreat, or take the scenic route home? And what exactly are we hoping to discover upon arrival?
If you’ve been feeling a little off, a little scattered, or simply in need of space, you’re not alone. Sometimes a change of scenery isn’t just a luxury, it’s a mindset shift. A way to recalibrate.
That’s the spirit behind this month’s travel issue. Inspired by the newly released White Lotus Season 3 (yes, we’re obsessed too), our April cover shoot unfolded in the lush heart of Byron Bay at Crystalbrook Byron, where the rainforest hums, the pool steams, and life slows to a blissful pause. It felt like Bali, with the warm air heavy with the scent of rain and tropical greenery wrapped around us. A gentle sprinkle dusted the canopy overhead while our muse moved barefoot through the rainforest, cloaked in silk and contemplation.
Our muse this month is Kate Trowbridge, who steps into her own private sanctuary at Crystalbrook Byron, moving through slow walks, spa rituals, and quiet moments of reflection. She’s not running away, she’s tuning in.
Set across 45 lush acres of subtropical rainforest, Crystalbrook Byron provided the perfect backdrop, serene on the surface, yet something deeper simmering beneath. Each of the 92 Rainforest and Treetops Suites offers cool, cosy air conditioning, soft linen sheets, and the tranquil soundtrack of nature just beyond your balcony. Mornings begin with yoga beneath towering trees, afternoons drift by at the heated infinity pool, and evenings unfold in soft robes, wine in hand, listening to the forest come alive.
For those chasing deeper renewal, Eléme Day Spa offers meditative massages and glow-inducing facials designed to recalibrate from the inside out. One treatment, and suddenly your shoulders drop, your mind slows, your breath deepens.
We live in an age of constant motion, where burnout feels inevitable, and productivity is expected. Yet, there’s a growing pull towards a slower, more intentional way of travelling, conscious escapes, restorative travel, soulful stays. Crystalbrook Byron captures this perfectly, inviting guests to linger longer. Maybe it’s the winding boardwalks that lead deeper into the forest, or the resort’s thoughtful commitment to sustainability through its partnership with EarthCheck. Or perhaps it’s just the undeniable magic of Byron itself.
Whatever it is, this isn’t just a stay. It’s a shift. A moment to escape the noise, breathe deeply, and rediscover a part of yourself you may have almost forgotten. Whether you’re seeking stillness, adventure, or something in between, this is escapism redefined, considered, thoughtful, deeply personal.
This issue isn’t just about where you go; it’s about how you want to feel when you get there. To check out. To reconnect. To feel present again. Whether it’s Byron Bay, Bali, or switching on flight mode from the couch, we all deserve a little escapism, and the clarity that often comes with it.
Inside, you’ll find slow travel, soulful stays, and thoughtful reflections that go deeper than the destination. Wherever you’re headed next, let this be your permission to pause, shift your state of mind, and wander into something new.
The escape isn’t just out there. It starts within.
CREDITS:
Model: Kate Trowbridge
Direction: Kiri Johnston
Photography: Caroline Attwood
Hair & Makeup: Shaz Massey
Location: Crystalbrook Byron
Fashion: SIR., SOOT, Seafolly
