Rick Gutzewitz says the three-day festival, being held beside the Kawarau River from tomorrow till Sunday, focuses on wellness, connection and education.
Gutzewitz, who also operates his health and wellbeing business Wellspace on the property, says he’s expecting at least 350 festival-goers this year, well up on last year’s 250.
Many of them will camp overnight on the property — in his family’s ownership since 1911 — because of its "tranquility and privacy".
"We encourage people to come and stay on-site, to get out of the town and really immerse into nature. People love the experience and they want to stay — last year we had a lot of day visitors upgrade their tickets."
WellFest 2025 showcases local wellness practitioners and artisans, has interactive workshops for learning how to live a healthier life, and features live performances by DJs and other musicians. Saunas, river swims, dance, yoga and meditation are also on offer.
Gutzewitz says the event’s family-friendly, with workshops and activities for children throughout the day, before it shifts to an "adult, late-night scene" in the evenings.
Full festival passes are $249 (teens $75, under-12s free). Family, one-day and two-day passes are also available from Humanitix.
