Trips
6 Day Hiking and Yoga Holiday in Whangarei Heads, New Zealand
Available from November till MayWe are constantly updating
Our collection is dynamic and we constantly add new listings. We can notify you when we add more WHY Retreat Holidays .
About WHY Retreat
Total relaxation holidays combining beautiful views, good food, yoga, hiking in nature, and meditation to encourage mental clarity and inspire lifelong change.
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Instructors
Jo Woollacott
Jo Woollacott is the owner of WHY Retreat and offers retreats from her yoga studio and bed and breakfast at Whangarei Heads. She has been teaching yoga for over 35 years and is also a certified Pilates instructor. She is a Kaizen holistic health practitioner, a REPS registered personal trainer, and endorsed by the Exercise Association of New Zealand to provide SMEAEP tax deductible stress management programs.
What Do People Say About Us?
All our reviews are from travellers with verified trips booked through our platform.
Anne Schen
from Australia, March 2025
I wish I’d stayed longer
Staying at Jo‘s was so amazing.
McLeod Bay is beautiful and so is Jo‘s house. Very quiet room with balcony and sea view.
The yoga classes and the workshop were great for any level.
The homemade food was very delicious and nourishing and we had great conversations.
The retreat showed me a new approach to yoga and helped me connect to a more spiritual part of myself.
Thank you Jo and Lily!
Amy Blake
from New Zealand, February 2025
everything was perfect for me
The meals were delicious, varied and nutritious. I enjoyed the hikes and beautiful scenery. The yoga was also very different each class and the meditation sessions a real joy.
Anonymous
from New Zealand, February 2024
Als Anfänger aufgenommen, hat mich Yoga überzeugt. Dank Jo 😊👍
Jean-marc Colomar
from New Zealand, February 2024
Astonishing throughout
The whole experience has been surprising from start to finish.
Jo Woollacott is an amazing woman who take care of all aspects of your wellbeing, tailoring the various yoga classes or meditations to suit!
She was assisted by Astrid, also very experienced yoga instructor and massage therapist from Sweden.
The treks, the swims in the ocean, the walk on the beach, sun rises and sunset meditations all was exceptionnel.
I had a wonderful experience that has lifted my spirit and has brighten my soul.
Thank you, thank you, thank you
Christine Winkelnkemper
from New Zealand, December 2023
Yoga bliss
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at WHY Retreat. Both Jo and Serena were great instructors, with different approaches and teaching methods that gave me a great insight of the holistic approach of yoga not just the exercise I am used to. We did different meditation techniques and other tasks like ikigai, and journaling. My room looked out to the water and I had a hammock that I could use. A red-light sauna and a hot tub is there, too. I just tried out the hot tub, which was great, I didn't get a chance to use the sauna, though. I also had a massage, with pressure point focus, which helped me to relax my thigh muscles.
Jo and Serena tried to accommodate any requests I had and were great listeners. All in all, I am really happy with my stay and would do it again.
Sarah Barrer
from New Zealand, November 2023
I didn’t feel comfortable
Natural environment
A volunteer yoga teacher from the US was the saving grace of this retreat and I was so grateful to have her guidance while at this retreat.
Barbara Stet
from Fiji, October 2023
What a wonderful place
I liked the location. The yoga and hiking were great every day and enough time to be alone too. The views from my room were amazing, to see the ocean and the Whangerei heads that was special. The meals everyday where not only healthy but also freshly made. This whole trip made my journey to new zealand very special thanks to Jo and Kristen.
Anonymous
from New Zealand, May 2023
Overpriced
Great location to explore public open spaces. The house is on the doorstep of Mt Manaia and Aubrey. Enjoyed the yoga and Pilates classes.
Brenda James
from New Zealand, November 2022
I went to WHY Retreat to reconnect with my Yoga practice. I came away with so much more. Not only did I make special connections, I learned more than I ever have in my 12 years of practicing Yoga. Jo has gathered an abundance of knowledge that she generously shares through each practice and throughout each day. And don't get me started on the food - wow! Fresh garden salads and substantial meals. I could go on and on, but my recommendation is that you simply trust your gut and book. With love, grace and gratitude... Brenda xo
Gilles Rech
from New Zealand, April 2021
perfect retreat
The locqtion is perfect: very quiet, beautiful tracks and beaches, good cofee
yogq and pilates session are very interesting
Jo cooks very tasty meals and propose very good massage!!!!!
Very beautiful hiking tracks
Kristi Schlup
from New Zealand, December 2020
Lovely week
I loved everything about this retreat. The variety of daily yoga, the coastal walks were beautiful, the vegetarian food was wholesome and delicious, the accommodation was comfortable and spotless, the meditation was challenging (for me!), and there was enough downtime to thoroughly relax.
Maggie Davidson
from Canada, January 2020
perfect balance
This retreat had the perfect balance. Every day there was enough yoga that I felt like I had done yoga, enough hiking that I felt like I had hiked, enough meditation that I felt totally relaxed, and enough time to sit in a hammock doing nothing but look at the ocean that I felt like I was on vacation. It was truly a perfect stay in the perfect location surrounded by lovely people.
Jan Davison
from New Zealand, March 2019
Wonderful Retreat
Beautiful area with its many amazing walks & beaches. Jo & Tommy (who did a lot of the teaching) are lovely. The different practices of yoga. Treetop session - beautiful aspect. Food incredible.
Vicky Laws
from United States, March 2019
Stunning stay
The location and walks were beautiful
The accomodation and food were relaxing and nourishing
The walks and beaches were invigorating
We also had Tommy as our yoga instructor and Jessica who were both great
I enjoyed all the classes and would definitely go back
Thank you Jo
Sandra Barth
from Germany, February 2019
Thank you for a wonderful and balacing week!
This was a really balancing week with yoga, hiking and swiming and in between a lot of time to relax and renew.
Thanks a lot for a perfect stay!
Fiona Bösch
from Switzerland, December 2018
I had an awesome and relaxing time at the yoga retreat. The meals were healthy and fresh. The hiking trips amazing. Jo told us so many things about our beautiful environment, the nature and the animals. During the nights we heard the Kiwis and Morporks what was really cool.
Anonymous
from French Polynesia, December 2018
Une fabuleuse retraite à recommander!!!
L'accueil, le confort de l'hébergement et ses superbes vues, le sauna, les cours de yoga, le chant nocturne de kiwis, la proximité de la mer, les bains matinaux, les points de vue imprenables sur les chemins de randonnées, la diversité des essences végétales rencontrées...
Jo Annand
from United Kingdom, December 2018
Magic
Fantastic scenary, great yoga, beautiful hikes,, refreshing swims and gorgeous food. A great detox.
Helena Oreilly
from United States, September 2018
Unique and wonderful
I was really made to feel part of the community by Cameron and Jo. The location of the Whangerai Heads Yoga Retreat Center/B&B is superb. The accommodations and grounds are lovely - comfortable, cozy, welcoming and offer breathtaking views of McLeod Bay, Mt. Manaia and Mount Albans. All the meals provided were delicious and great care was taken to cater to multiple dietary restrictions. The yoga classes were excellent. The hiking paths are glorious.
Sanjeev Bains
from Canada, February 2018
Quiet Escape
Enjoyed having a variety of yoga instructors, hiking and sailing. Mt Mania was a very picturesque hike.
Marianne Mäder
from Switzerland, February 2018
Gutes Essen, Zimmer mit Blick direkt aufs Meer.
Nikki Roberts
from New Zealand, January 2018
Beautiful location and mix of yoga and nature
Good yoga, awesome hiking and amazing unspoilt beaches and great people and place with stunning views.
Nikola Niedermeier
from New Caledonia, December 2017
Very beautiful spot on earth
I had a great time a WHY yoga retreat. If u are need to calm down and reconnect to nature. This is the place for you. There are many beautiful tracks with breathtaking views in this area. Some of them are just a couple of footsteps away from the retreat. The rooms are very comfortable and the food is delicious and healthy. Oh yeah and not to forget about the view from the terasse and from two of the three bedrooms. Beautiful! I had a really great stay and would love to come back. In the end I would have liked to stay more than 6 days. But it was time to move on for me.
Melanie Walsh
from New Zealand, June 2017
Peaceful getaway
The food, hospitality and yoga was amazing, I felt welcomed and really got to relax