Minor Hotels Unveils Avani Cypress Lakes Wellness Resort

HUNTER VALLEY, AUSTRALIA – Minor Hotels is set to reshape regional tourism in New South Wales with the announcement of the Avani Cypress Lakes Resort, a sprawling 340-acre destination development launching its phased rollout in October 2026.

Positioned to become Australia’s largest integrated resort wellness precinct, the ambitious master plan merges the existing Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort with the adjoining Elysia Wellness Retreat. Central to the resort’s lifestyle offerings is its championship 18-hole golf course, ensuring the property maintains its status as a premier hub for golf travel, corporate retreats, and leisure getaways.

A New Era for Hunter Valley Golf Tourism

While the property is introducing extensive new lifestyle and health facilities, golf remains one of its foundational anchor attractions. The resort’s championship 18-hole golf course, set against the backdrop of the Broken Back Mountain Range and surrounding vineyards, will continue to play a pivotal role in driving visitor growth to the Hunter Valley.

The course will integrate directly with the resort’s broader lifestyle ecosystem. Golf travelers will be able to bundle round play with recovery-focused wellness packages, high-end culinary experiences, and luxury lodging – encouraging longer stays and higher regional expenditure.

AvaniWell Makes Its Australian Debut

A major highlight of the project is the Australian launch of AvaniWell, Minor Hotels’ flexible health and wellness program. First launched at Avani+ Hua Hin Resort in Thailand, AvaniWell focuses on seamlessly blending wellness into everyday resort stays rather than requiring guests to follow rigid, traditional retreat formats.

Key AvaniWell Precinct Features:

• 70 Dedicated Wellness Suites designed for restorative stays.
• 26 Treatment Rooms alongside infrared saunas and spaces for group seminars.
• Recovery Facilities, including a magnesium pool, 10 Pilates reformers, and outdoor cold-plunge pools.
• Flexible Access serving resort guests, day visitors, and local residents.

Elevating Regional Hospitality and Events

When fully completed in the third quarter of 2027, Avani Cypress Lakes Resort will stand as the largest Avani-branded property in Australasia, featuring 204 keys across two distinct accommodation options.

Lifestyle & Recreation Additions

Beyond golf and spa therapies, the development will add an array of outdoor and leisure activities:

• Pickleball & Outdoor Recreation: Three new pickleball courts and an outdoor cinema.
• Social & Pool Venues: A vibrant pool bar featuring a live DJ booth.
• New Dining Concepts: Multiple culinary options, including Chakraya, a restaurant highlighting modern Sri Lankan flavors.
• Family Experiences: Movement, outdoor, and creative programs via the AvaniKids brand.

Business and Corporate Golf Retreats

With 24 dedicated meeting and event spaces, the resort aims to capitalize on the growing corporate “bleisure” trend—allowing event organizers to mix business sessions with golf tournaments, yoga, and wellness workshops.

Expanding Minor Hotels’ Australasian Footprint

The Hunter Valley transformation represents the third Avani property in the Australasia portfolio, following the launch of the Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel in Queensland in May 2026 and the upcoming debut of Avani Queenstown in New Zealand.

“Modern wellness is personal, flexible, and increasingly integrated into everyday travel. Avani Cypress Lakes Resort has been designed around this shift, allowing guests to incorporate wellness into a family holiday, corporate retreat, golf escape, or weekend break.”

— Craig Hooley, Chief Operating Officer of Minor Hotels Australasia

Bookings and official rates for the Avani Cypress Lakes Resort will open on October 1, 2026, with the first phase of transformed facilities opening later that month.