In a world where pedestrians prioritise texting over looking where they’re going, it’s kind of hard to deny the rise of digital dependence.
Whether it’s checking work emails before bed, or obsessing over the enumeration of ‘likes’ on Instagram posts—or spending more time Instagramming your Sunday brunch than actually brunching—most of us suffer from some form of connectivity compulsion.
The pressure to remain logged on and ‘liked’ has seen many Australians struggling to keep up with the fast paced lifestyle that technology promotes. Between tweeting, ‘checking in’, and making sure you’ve seen the latest cat video on YouTube, little time remains for that thing that people used to call relaxation.
And so, a new trend has emerged—the digital detox. A semi post-modernist reaction to society’s technological overload, tech-free holidays are the hottest thing in tourism since the rise of the ever-so-popular yoga retreat.
So where do you go to disconnect? Fear not, we’ve done the homework for you. Here are six of the world’s best digital detoxes, from the grassroots to the glamorous.
Located right on the edge of The Great Barrier Reef, Lizard Island is your answer to serenity and seclusion, sans snap chats and status updates. With no mobile phone coverage to speak of, guests can enjoy the beauty of their surrounds, free from the distraction of vibrating handsets.
Resort activities include paddle ski tours, tennis, snorkelling, and picnics on secluded beaches. For those after a true pampering, there are also essential day spa treatments and sunset champagne cruises.
Not for the faint hearted, The Windflower Resort is a jungle retreat located in one of India’s best-kept secrets, Bandipur. Nestled in a region where tigers roam free and elephants drink from nearby watering holes, the resort exposes you to the untamed beauty of the surrounding wilderness.
With no television or WiFi connection, Wildflower is your opportunity to flex your adventurous spirit, trekking through the jungle, going on safari, and unwinding in the resort’s award-winning spa.
Driven by the desire to deliver a remote, natural experience to their clientele, Sal Salis is an exclusive bush camp that brings a touch of style to the west coast of Australia. Located just shy of the Ningaloo Reef, the retreat is a series of luxurious wilderness tents, hidden in the dunes and overlooking the beach. Activities include whale shark swims, snorkeling, guided walks and fishing.
To wind down after a day of exploring, visitors can enjoy a meal in the main lodge, browse the small library, and partake in some good old-fashioned board games—remember those?
If the idea of a digital detox makes you a little nervous, it might be a good idea to log off in luxury. Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort—an opulent, conservation-based resort in the Greater Blue Mountain World Heritage Area—is your chance to do just that.
Due to the secluded setting, mobile coverage is not available; meaning the temptation to text will have to be quashed some other way. Signature experiences include horse riding adventures and heritage tours, or for those in the mood for some pampering, the resort’s spa offers a range of Holistic therapies, dispensed using Australia’s exclusive Sodashi skincare line.
For a detox outside the box—and entirely off the grid—there’s Chamilandu Bush Camp, an intimate escape where guests can relax in the privacy of their own luxury tree house. Located by the shores of the Luangwa River in Zambia, Chamilandu offers guests the chance to explore the landscapes on guided walking safaris, and adventurous game drives.
And though Facebook selfies with wildebeests are out of the question, guests can watch on as elephants bathe in the near distance. At Chamilandu Bush camp, excessive hammock use is also heavily encouraged.
Accessible only by a small, private plane, Ultima Thule Lodge is located deep in the heart of the Alaskan Wilderness. Here, guests can take a break from tweeting in their own uniquely appointed cabin, featuring stained glass windows and plush leather furnishings.
With no set itineraries, each day in the Alaskan wilderness promises something different. Guests are invited to embark on individually tailored flight safaris, adventures that include picnics on untamed beaches, salmon fishing, and hikes across breathtaking terrains that no man has ever touched before. Because if you’re going to unplug, you may as well go all out.
