The Solo Traveller
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Byron Yoga Centre is based in Byron Bay, Australia’s most easterly town, renowned for its beaches, hinterland, and laid-back community. Photography: Byron Yoga Centre.
A triumph of passion and determination – the Byron Yoga Centre turns 37
By Geoffrey Williams
Briefly …
The Byron Yoga Centre began with a handful of photocopied yoga poses and has grown into Australia’s longest running yoga sanctuary, welcoming solo travellers seeking renewal, connection, and community.
From a handful of photocopied yoga poses in a Melbourne detox centre to a thriving 30-acre sanctuary in Byron Bay, the story of Byron Yoga Centre is one of transformation and resilience. Founded in 1988, the multi-award-winning Centre is now Australia’s longest-running yoga hub, welcoming people from all walks of life with values grounded in inclusivity, hope, and connection.
Byron Yoga Centre is based in Byron Bay, Australia’s most easterly town, renowned for its beaches, hinterland, and laid-back community. This year, the Centre celebrates having welcomed travellers for 37 years, offering yoga retreats, teacher trainings, wellness programs, and a serene sanctuary for those seeking rest, renewal, and connection.
Founder, John Ogilvie, is passionate about sharing yoga with the world, as he believes yoga has the power to change lives – including his own. John’s struggle with drugs began long before adulthood. At just 12 years old, shy and uncertain of his place in the world, he discovered alcohol. Drinking dulled his insecurities and gave him a way to fit in, to feel part of something larger than himself.
What began as weekend drinking at football games gradually escalated, and by his mid-teens, John was experimenting with marijuana, pills, speed, acid, and hallucinogens like magic mushrooms. And while each new substance seemed to offer some form of escape, in reality each one drew him further into a cycle of dependence.
At 19, John was introduced to heroin, and that moment marked the beginning of a cycle of addiction that would shape the next 10 years of his life. Fortunately, the Universe had other ideas. The turning point came when John entered Pleasant View, a detox centre in Melbourne. There, a fellow resident shared a handful of photocopied pages of yoga postures and led the group through simple movements in the garden. For John, it was a glimpse of another path – one that would eventually lead to the triumph of courage, passion and determination that is the Byron Yoga Centre.
Founder, John Ogilvie, is passionate about sharing yoga with the world, as he believes yoga has the power to change lives – including his own. Photography: Byron Yoga Centre.
“Our retreats and trainings are designed with inclusivity at heart”, John tells The Solo Traveller. “Solo travellers can join daily yoga and meditation, enjoy nourishing vegetarian meals, take part in wellness workshops, and relax in peaceful surroundings. What makes the experience special for solo travellers is the balance of connection and space – you will meet like-minded people while still having the freedom to reflect and recharge.”
Solo travellers can join daily yoga and meditation, enjoy nourishing vegetarian meals, take part in wellness workshops, and relax in peaceful surroundings. Photography: Byron Yoga Centre.
“Travelling solo takes courage, and we honour that by creating a safe, supportive environment. For many, it’s an opportunity to reset, rediscover themselves, and form new friendships. We see time and again that the memories people carry home aren’t just of Byron Bay, but of the deep inner shifts that happen when they give themselves permission to slow down.”
Throughout the Centre’s 37 years, travellers have experienced transformational experiences during their stay, including a guest who joined a retreat after a major life transition. “She arrived quiet and reserved, but by the end of the week she was smiling, laughing, and connecting openly with others,” John recalls. “She later wrote to us saying the retreat was the turning point where she rediscovered her confidence and joy. Stories like hers remind us why we do what we do.”
Operating on eco-friendly principles, the team supports local grassroots initiatives, from food security programs to environmental restoration. Photography: Byron Yoga Centre.
Sustainability and community wellbeing are also central to the Centre’s philosophy – with one of John’s central beliefs being that “mindful travel means leaving a positive impact on the places we visit and the people we meet.” Operating on eco-friendly principles, the team supports local grassroots initiatives, from food security programs to environmental restoration. The Centre’s sustainable features include solar power, compost toilets, rainwater tanks, and three acres of organic gardens that supply their vegetarian farm-to-table menu. The property also provides a haven for wildlife, including koalas and black-necked storks, and offers guests a solar-heated 20m magnesium mineral pool and a new barrel sauna.
So, when is the best time of year to visit? “Byron Bay is a year-round destination, but many travellers love the Autumn and Spring months (March–May and September–November). The weather is mild, the ocean is inviting, and it’s a perfect time for beach walks, hinterland hikes, and outdoor yoga.”
Whether you’re looking for a short wellness escape or a deeper dive into yoga and meditation, Byron Yoga Centre welcomes solo travellers with open arms. Photography: Byron Yoga Centre.
For someone whose journey could be seen as inspirational for others who might find themselves in dark and dangerous places on their own journey through life, where does John find inspiration? “I’m inspired by my yoga teachers in India, whose wisdom and humility have guided my journey for decades. They remind me that true travel isn’t just about crossing physical distances – it’s about inner exploration. Whether you’re looking for a short wellness escape or a deeper dive into yoga and meditation, Byron Yoga Centre welcomes solo travellers with open arms. Many come alone but leave with lifelong friends and a renewed sense of self.”
John’s top 3 tips for solo travelling success
1. Stay open. You never know who you’ll meet or what new experience will come your way.
2. Balance connection with solitude. Join group activities but also give yourself quiet moments.
3. Travel lightly – with your luggage and your expectations.
Just minutes from Byron Bay’s town centre and beaches, the Centre offers everything from half-day sessions to seven-day retreats, along with specialty programs such as Men’s Health Retreats, Women’s Wellness Retreats, Veterans and Frontline Workers Retreats, and Yoga Teacher Retreats. You can learn more at about the Byron Yoga Centre here or follow the team on Instagram here.
Geoffrey Williams is the Founder and Publishing Curator of The Solo Traveller.
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