DVA Rehab & Addiction Recovery for Veterans – Break Free and Reclaim Your Life
- Veteran-Specific Program with DVA Compliance
- For Gold & White Card Holders
- Safe, Supportive Environment for Healing
Reclaim Your Health, Happiness, and Purpose With Our Veterans Rehab
Has addiction impacted your health, relationships and quality of life? Does it sometimes feel like an invisible weight you can’t lift?
The impact of addiction can be especially profound for veterans, where the scars of service run deep, complicating personal and family relationships and casting a shadow over the life you’ve returned to in civilian life.
What if instead of being at the mercy of your addiction you could regain control of your life, restore your health, repair your relationships and feel like the strong, respected and capable person you once were?
At Gunnebah, we’ve crafted a recovery program for veterans that merges our effective addiction treatment with the understanding of your particular life experiences, led by professionals who are well-versed in the nuances of veterans’ wellbeing and the DVA rehab process. Our approach aligns with DVA rehabilitation requirements and is designed to support eligible veterans with tailored support.
With hundreds of success stories and a 4.9 star rating, you can feel confident knowing you’re coming to the right place to access the rehabilitation services you deserve.
Why Visit Gunnebah?
- Get back on your feet with a tailored rehabilitation plan.
- Achieve sobriety with a proven DVA rehabilitation program.
- Heal in a safe space with expert rehabilitation providers.
- Address the root cause with occupational therapist support.
- Follow clear steps toward your rehabilitation goals.
- See change fast with your rehabilitation consultant.
What You’ll Experience At Our Facility
Our diverse team of qualified professionals brings a wealth of experience in addiction recovery and a deep understanding of the specific challenges encountered by veterans, including navigating Veterans Affairs systems and DVA arrangements.
Wellness Program
Build life skills, develop insight and create healthy lifelong habits. It covers relationship skills, nutrition, physical wellbeing, emotional stability, and managing daily activities for greater independence.
Therapy
Individual therapy to focus on your life and what is important to you, as well as group therapy to develop mutually supportive friendships and provide ongoing support DVA’s rehabilitation services.
Adventures
Adventures and new experiences like learning to surf, bushwalking in local national parks, paddle boarding, and more so you can rediscover the excitement in life itself and reconnect with civilian life.
Exercise
Mornings begin with exercise such as yoga, group fitness or boxercise. We also have a well-equipped gym, swimming pool and a beautiful hill walk to reduce anxiety and build strength during your recovery.
Healthy Food
Enjoy delicious, local and wholesome food to nourish your body and mind, whilst also learning the importance of nutrition and how it supports your medical treatment and emotional wellbeing.
Beautiful Location
A beautiful and tranquil retreat that’s removed from the stress, complications and temptations of everyday life, with scenic parks, beaches and wildlife, perfect for reflection and rehabilitation assessment.
Rated 4.9 by 100+ friends.
“It doesn’t feel like a clinic or a facility, you just feel relaxed and safe like you do at home.”
What Makes Us Different
Value For Money
Gunnebah provides great value for money with top-tier facilities, unmatched care, a proven program and a beautiful semi-remote location for an affordable price. We also help eligible veterans access their benefits through DVA.
Tailored Veterans Care
Our program takes into account veteran-specific conditions like PTSD, with therapists who specialise in veteran care and support staff who handle the DVA application process and initial assessment for you, including guidance on the veteran white card.
Guest Satisfaction
Just read our Google reviews to see why Gunnebah is the preferred choice for so many people. The common theme we hear is “If I’d known it was going to be like this I would’ve come a long time ago.", especially those coming from vocational rehabilitation.
We handle all the DVA paperwork and logistics for you, so you can focus on recovery. Our program is designed in strict compliance with DVA requirements, including a full rehabilitation plan developed with your rehabilitation consultant and supported by qualified professionals. We also offer a comprehensive aftercare program to help veterans achieve lasting results.
Ready for a change? Contact us today and let’s make it happen.
Before & After Your Stay
To make sure you get the most out of our your stay and create the best possible chance of success, we have a comprehensive process for before, during and after your stay,
Gold or veteran white card holders can apply for funding for a residential stay at Gunnebah.
To set up an assessment, call our main line on (02) 6679 1565 and we will arrange a call back with our admissions team to assess suitability.
Unfortunately not. DVA does not fund family members, only eligible veterans with the appropriate card and DVA rehabilitation program approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
All admissions are subject to prior approval from the Department of Veteran Affairs Health Approvals Board. Once you’ve been assessed and approved by the Gunnebah team, we submit your application to DVA approvals.
This process typically takes between 2 days and 2 weeks. In some cases, it may take longer, but we work closely with you and your advocate to fast-track it where possible.
Veterans consistently tell us that the non-clinical feel of our facility, combined with our trauma-aware community, helps them feel safe and supported. Our location offers open green space, natural beauty, and a range of adjunctive therapies like art therapy, tai chi, pottery, and meditation.
We integrate exercise physiology and psychosocial rehabilitation to help veterans manage injuries, improve physical strength, and support their mental health and emotional recovery.
You’ll need your medical practitioner to complete a treatment prior approval request form, along with a referral letter.
Once you’ve been accepted by Gunnebah, we will provide the required documentation and assist with the DVA funding application.
Detox removes harmful substances like alcohol and drugs from the body and usually lasts about a week.
Rehab goes further, providing a structured treatment program that addresses the root causes of addiction and helps build the skills needed to manage your health condition and maintain long-term recovery.
Some group activities will be held off-site and are supervised. You may request leave with staff or family on a case-by-case basis.
Leaving the facility without approval may result in discharge from the program.
Guests must attend voluntarily, participate in all activities, and commit to the recovery process. We cannot accept individuals with unmanaged serious mental illness or those with a significant history of violence or abuse.
Our program starts at 28 days, but we strongly recommend a 12-week stay. Research shows that 90-day programs lead to more successful long-term recovery.
As a recognised rehabilitation provider, we aim to offer the right level of assistance for each guest’s needs, especially for veterans managing injuries or complex health conditions.
Yes. If you don’t feel ready to leave after 12 weeks, we can explore options for an extended stay. We’ll request additional time through Health Approvals if we believe it will benefit your recovery.
We are not strictly a 12-step program, but we offer access to 12-step meetings. Our holistic, evidence-based approach includes elements from various treatment philosophies, ensuring the best possible outcomes for guests recovering from alcohol and drug addiction.
Try to get healthy: eat well, exercise, and reduce substance use before you arrive. If you are receiving assistance from Veterans Affairs or a national rehabilitation provider, inform us so we can coordinate your care.
Most importantly, come with an open mind and a willingness to engage fully in your recovery.
Addiction medication will be reviewed during the intake process. Only prescribed, boxed medications are allowed. Non-prescribed or unboxed medications will be confiscated.
No. We already have several animals on-site to support the therapeutic environment.
Yes, we provide coffee. However, after midday we encourage guests to drink decaf or herbal tea to support better sleep and relaxation.
Romantic relationships are strongly discouraged. They often become a distraction from the core work of recovery. Any sexual activity between guests may lead to removal from the treatment program.
Yes, but access is restricted during therapy sessions, activities, and mealtimes. We encourage limited use so you can focus on recovery and avoid digital distractions.
Telstra (and related providers like Aldi Mobile and Belong) offer the best coverage. Optus is currently poor. Vodafone and other providers may not work at our location.
We do not provide wifi to guests. However, there are a couple of computers available for basic internet access. Due to our satellite connection, data is limited and not suitable for streaming.
Guests may be discharged with no refund if they:
- Use or possess drugs or alcohol
- Refuse drug/alcohol tests
- Disrupt the program or other clients
- Commit theft or break laws
- Leave the facility without approval
- Engage in abuse or inappropriate behaviour
- Withhold crucial medical or legal information
- Are found to be medically or psychologically unfit
- Engage in sexual activity with another guest
You must arrive before 2pm on a Monday. If you arrive late or withhold important information, or if your condition is assessed as high-risk, you may be referred to a medical detox or mental health facility for your safety.
Gold or White Card holders can access DVA funding for a residential rehab stay at Gunnebah. This includes group aftercare and one-on-one follow-up sessions after discharge as part of your DVAs rehabilitation services.
No, DVA funding is only available to eligible veterans. Family members are not covered, but we can advise on other ways to support loved ones through alternative care options.