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wellness.

Mayra has called Port Douglas home for the past six
years, and in that time has made it her mission to
make health and wellness enjoyable and accessible MAKING
to those in town.
WAVES

IN WELLNESS “Before I left, my sister said, ‘Why don’t you study something that you can

do all around the world?’” Mayra recalls. “I love movement and helping
people feel good, so Zumba came to mind. I looked into it and when there

was a certification a few days later, it just felt like destiny.”
Words by Lisa Keller After a stint in Sydney when she first arrived in Australia, Mayra made the

move to Port Douglas in 2019 and quickly built a following of endorphin-
IN A TIME WHERE OUR LIVES FEEL BUSIER and more stressful than seekers. She began running Zumba classes at the Yacht Club and Dougies
ever, it’s no surprise that more of us are choosing to use our holidays not just Backpackers, before moving into resorts around town, including the
to travel, but to rest and recharge. Wellness tourism has moved from a niche Sheraton Grand Mirage where you can still find her classes in the iconic

trend to a global movement, with travellers actively seeking destinations pool during high season.
that help them slow down, recharge and come back to themselves.
In 2022 she joined Deep Retreat as a pilates and Barre instructor and by
According to Booking.com’s 2026 travel predictions, Port Douglas is the May 2025 she’d become the manager.
perfect place to do exactly that, earning a spot on the travel giant’s Top 10 DEEP IN WELLNESS
trending destinations for this year. With its warm climate, slower pace and
growing number of feel-good experiences, it seems the secret that the locals If you’ve come to Port Douglas on a wellness journey, you’re probably

have known for years is finally out. already familiar with Deep Retreat. Chances are it was the first thing to pop

up on your Google search thanks to its top ranking position on TripAdvisor.
At the centre of it all is one woman who has quietly become the face of

feelgood fitness in town. With her Aqua Zumba, Aqua Fit, Pilates and Barre, With its myriad of restorative treatments and a philosophy centred
Mayra Fairlie brings a way for both locals and visitors to get fit and have fun on slowing down, it’s easy to see why it has quickly become one of Port

while doing it. Douglas’ most celebrated wellness experiences.

Born in Chile, Mayra has called Port Douglas home for the past six years, and Alongside Deep Pilates and Barre studio, you’ll find a magnesium
in that time has made it her mission to make health and wellness enjoyable bathhouse, warm water pool, and sauna. Book any massage or facial
and accessible to those in town. “I’ve always had a passion for improving the treatments and you’ll have access to all of these facilities, setting you up for
quality of people’s lives,” she says. “So many people tell me how much better the perfect way to spend a relaxing and rejuvenating day in Port Douglas.

they feel after the classes or how their life has improved and that’s why I do
what I do”.
PARTY IN THE POOL
For some, wellness looks like massages and day spas. For others it looks
more like a pool party which, given the Port Douglas climate, is arguably
the smartest way to stay fit and keep cool at the same time. Every Wednesday,

Mayra hosts AquaZumba at Oaks Port Douglas Resort and on Fridays it’s
AquaFit at Mossman Pool. Both are fun, low impact, full body workouts
designed to get your heart rate up and your body moving.
“All workouts will start with a warm up and then we move into resistance
training and a lot of balance exercises,” Mayra explains. “Balance is super
important, especially as we get older so I really try to focus on that”.

And while fitness is definitely at the core of her classes, the community that

has formed around it has also become a big draw card. “Everyone stays for
a coffee and a chat after class every week. It’s a really great way to meet new

people”.
Aqua-based classes have surged in popularity worldwide, and World Aquathon JOIN MAYRA:
Day is a testament to their global appeal. In 2025, Mayra represented Port AquaZumba
Douglas at the Cairns event, leading over 100 participants through one of her Wednesday 10:30am
signature high-energy sessions in the Cairns Lagoon. Oaks Port Douglas Resort
FROM CHILE TO THE TROPICS AquaFit
Monday and Friday 9am
Mayra’s journey here was anything but linear. Born in Chile, she studied
physiotherapy before spending four years working in neuro-rehab and Mossman Swimming Pool
completing postgraduate studies in paralympic sport and spinal injuries. In Deep Retreat
2017, a pending move to Denmark and some sisterly advice opened a new Corner Warner St & Owen St, Port Douglas
door on her path to Port Douglas.