Into the Dreaming
Tracey Spicer travels to far northwestern WA to discover indigenous spa treatments using native plants and ancient wisdom – as old as time itself.
From above, the pretty pearling town of Broome seems to shimmer: the impossible blue of the Indian Ocean; the blinding white sand of Cable Beach; the red soil rich with iron ore.
In this vast and ancient land it’s easy to disappear, spirited away by legends of the Aboriginal Dreamtime.
A new five-star resort, nestled behind the 22-kilometre stretch of sand, captures the mystery and mythology of this remote region.
It’s called Pinctada, named after the shell that nurtures the world’s most beautiful pearl.
And it’s a dream-come-true for the owner, pearling doyenne Marilynne Paspaley.
Enormous wicker chairs embrace you upon arrival in the stunning open-air foyer.
The 72 ultra-modern rooms and suites are encased in classic corrugated iron, wrapping around an asymmetrical pool.
Next to the pool is Australias only Li’Tya concept spa.
Li’Tya means “of the earth”, but the surroundings appear otherworldly.
The haunting sound of a didgeridoo wafts through the air, a reminder of the timeless healing treatments used by the indigenous people of this land for more than 40,000 years – only recently discovered by the West.
Within this enclave is a lush, tropical courtyard filled with frangipani trees, custom daybeds, and a private plunge pool.
Sipping a herbal tea, wrapped snugly in a soft towelling robe, I choose the Mala Mayi exfoliation and warm mud wrap, Mirri Facial and Miji Kodo massage.
The organic ingredients are all sourced through Indigenous Australian Foods, an Aboriginal owned and controlled company.
Li’Tya’s founder, Gayle Heron, developed her own distilling methods to preserve the life-force of these native plants.
I am presented with four choices for the exfoliation: the Lemon Myrtle and Desert Salt Body Polish (for balance and purification), the Mother of Pearl (to nourish and strengthen), Native Mint Sea Salt (fresh and uplifting) or Pink Desert Salt with Wild Rosella (for physical and spiritual healing).
Being a tired old mother-of-two, it’s a tough choice.
I need balance, purification, nourishment, uplifting and healing!
Finally I settle on native mint because – well – it smells lovely.
Then I choose the Detox Body Mud because I had one too many glasses of wine the previous night.
Oops.
The treatment begins, appropriately, with an Aboriginal smoking ceremony to cleanse the air.
Smoke curls up from a wooden cradle filled with smouldering lemon myrtle and O’yarrorng moss.
Its pungent scent blends with the tribal music, transporting me to the endless horizons of the Aboriginal Dreamtime.
By the time the mud wrap is painstakingly painted over every inch of my body I am drifting off to sleep, more relaxed than I’ve been in years.
A Vichy showers follows, then the Miji Kodo (“melody”) massage.
The therapist works rhythmically, using spiralling movements around pressure points to balance and re-align energy flow.
It is simply divine.
I feel a little like a shrubbery as various plants are placed on my face for the Mirri facial: Lillypilly cleanser, Wild Rosella Hydrating Mist, Wattleseed Protein Polish, Macadamia Hydrating Cream, Boronia Eye Serum and a Tasmanian Kelp Mask.
The clever concoction works wonders – my skin is as soft as a baby’s bottom.
And the Quandong Hair Mask appears to have softened what is usually described as a birds’ nest atop my head.
Indigenous tribes use Quandong fruit as food and medicine, while its kernels are crushed for hair conditioning oil.
I float back to our luxurious suite a new woman, unrecognisable from the harried city slicker who’d arrived just hours before.
By journeying through the Dreamtime, you can rediscover what it is that you had lost.
Serenity. Peace. A deep, inner calm.
Pinctada is one of the great destination spas of the world.
If Australia is your oyster, this is its precious pearl.
Pinctada Cable Beach Resort & Spa
10 Murray Rd
Cable Beachside Beauty Broome 6725
P: (08) 91938388
F: (08) 9193 8399
E: stay@pinctadacablebeach.com.au
Day Spa
P: (08) 9193 8355
F: (08) 9193 8399
E: spa@pinctadacablebeach.com.au
The Four Tenents
Indigenous Australians have a unique way of seeing the world. These are the four components necessary for a life, well lived.
Dtwongdtyen: A varied perspective is the key to perception
Adtomon: Truth is the path
Linj’dta: Now is the moment of your being
Aildt: Everything is one
