Noosa Today journalist Abbey Cannan toured the Sunshine Coast’s groundbreaking Hinterland Health Retreat with exclusive behind-the-scenes access on Friday 22 August.
The location alone is breathtaking, set amongst 30 acres of rolling hinterland, macadamia orchards and rainforest.
Even without experiencing the retreat’s cutting-edge neurotechnology or holistic healing practices, you’d likely feel deeply relaxed just by spending a week with your feet in the grass. Between the trees, the sunshine, the sauna, and that stunning pool — you’d be happy as Larry (or Barry).
The reason we were at the retreat was to listen to a live Things You Can’t Un-Hear podcast conversation between host and creator Maritza Barone, the founder of Hinterland Health Retreat Jackie Durnin, and Australian TV presenter Barry Du Bois.
Barry, best known as co-host of Network Ten’s award-winning lifestyle show The Living Room, shared many deeply personal stories.
Despite a life many would envy — a Bondi mansion, half the year spent on a yacht, and a successful career — Barry found himself in the darkest of places.
He’d endured the death of his mother, a back injury after falling 14 metres, repeated IVF heartbreak, the shared trauma of miscarriages, his wife Leonie’s cervical cancer diagnosis, and his own battle with an incurable blood cancer.
At his lowest point, sitting in his car and ready to give up, a call from a tradie friend changed everything. That friend, who was making toasted banana sandwiches for his family due to financial strain, unknowingly saved Barry’s life.
“How do I have everything and I’m not happy, and they have ‘nothing’ and are filled with joy?” Barry recalled.
Distracting him long enough to save his life, his friend asked him three simple words. Are you okay?
That moment sparked a turning point. Today, Barry is a proud ambassador for R U OK? Day, Australia’s leading suicide prevention initiative.
From grief and burnout to addiction and trauma, the Hinterland Health Retreat is pioneering new ways to heal — and fast becoming a global destination for those seeking true change.
Founder, EFT therapist, and counsellor, Jackie Durnin tells clients, “We love you, but we never want to see you again.”
The retreat was created as a result of Jackie’s own personal health and wellness journey.
“As a child I was sexually abused and I spent many years trying many different therapies in an effort to heal. In my 20’s I began experiencing many triggers in relation to men, boundaries and it was impacting my work social life. I decided to go to therapy and try whatever I needed to change the way I felt and also neutralise and stop these triggers,” she says.
“I discovered Emotional Freedom Technique and decided to train as a practitioner so I could learn everything I could to help me personally.”
The result was a change in profession and experiences working at facilities both locally and overseas, where some clients called her ‘Tappy Jackie’.
While sitting in the podcast audience, we got to experience this intriguing, tapping technique. I’d heard of it from my friend doing therapy, who said she loved it.
We each held a piece of chocolate while Jackie guided us through the tapping process, showing us where to tap and what to say, with the goal of reducing our desire to eat it.
As a skeptic, I can now see how, over time, this could help break habits or even addictions.
During the tour, we were also able to try the retreat’s neurotechnology in the MindShift Lab.
The MindShift Lab offers advanced nervous system retraining — aiming to help calm and regulate the system so guests can return to a state of clarity, balance and ease. This process supports the brain in rewiring old patterns by shifting neural pathways, allowing for meaningful and lasting change from within.
I tried the flashing light therapy, which felt a little overwhelming for me, perhaps not ideal for someone prone to sensory overload, but others might find it calming or even meditative.
Jackie explains the retreat takes an individualised approach — which can include blood and stool tests, as well as a brain scan on the first day, later compared to one on the final day to measure change.
The retreat also features a team of expert practitioners, a private chef who works with organic wholefoods, an on-site IV clinic, tranquil yoga spaces, firepit gatherings and stillness that speaks to the soul.
They offer stays between four days up to 28 days or higher as needed, but most clients opt for a week.
One challenge remains: the cost. Accessing this kind of intensive care often requires a substantial financial investment, which may be out of reach for many experiencing a mental health crisis.
Although, there are a number of options available when it comes to paying. Programs may be self-funded, funded by early superannuation release, payment plan solutions, government-funded options such as DVA or NDIS, or partially through private health insurance ‘extras cover’.
In a world where burnout and emotional overwhelm are all too common, places like Hinterland Health Retreat and stories like Barry’s remind us that healing is possible, even when it feels out of reach.
Since 2019, Maritza Barone has interviewed leading minds from around the world on Things You Can’t Un-Hear, including Gabby Bernstein, John Edward, Wim Hof, Dr John Demartini, Dr John Gray and many more profound voices – giving listeners moments of inspiration that empower them to live at their best.
The podcast recording with Barry Du Bois will be released on Things You Can’t Un-Hear in the coming weeks.
Subscribe to Things You Can’t Un-Hear here: www.maritzabarone.com/podcast
Learn more about the Hinterland Health Retreat here: hinterlandhealthretreat.com/
If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available 24/7 through Lifeline on 13 11 14, MensLine on 1300 78 99 78, or 13YARN on 13 92 76.
