Self-care, indulgent experiences and digital-detox holidays are more sought after now more than ever. The perfect remedy? Bathing in hot springs, an ancient ritual that blends relaxation, rejuvenation and social connection in serene settings.
Australia’s bathing culture is one of the oldest in the world. Australia’s First People have revered the healing powers of the land’s thermal waters for tens of thousands of years. Water is an essential part of their story and culture. Today, the bathing tradition is as hot as ever – quite literally – especially in Victoria, where people of all ages, all year round, are embracing its benefits, from improved circulation to stress relief.
With its wealth of natural springs, Victoria is fast becoming Australia’s wellness state. Just a short drive from Melbourne, you’ll find steaming mineral pools tucked in rolling hills, cliffside thermal springs with ocean views and tranquil bathing retreats surrounded by nature. We’ve round up the top five hot springs in Victoria for a blissful escape.
Alba Thermal Springs & Spa
Best for: quiet introspection
Take a moment – Alba’s invitation – to immerse yourself in tranquillity. Just a 1.5-hour drive from Melbourne to Mornington Peninsula, this architecturally stunning bathhouse offers 30 pools including a rain pool, forest pools and a sunset pool set amidst lush greenery.
Book in for a meditative float on the rooftop salt pool and don’t miss the Hemisphere complex, with its semi-enclosed geothermal pool, cold plunge, steam room and sauna providing the perfect foray into hot-and-cold therapy. Adding to the privacy factor, Alba enforces a strict no-phone policy. You won’t get that Insta selfie, but you will get a much needed disconnect while those restorative waters work their magic.
albathermalsprings.com.au
Peninsula Hot Springs
Best for: bathing novices
Less than a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, Peninsula Hot Springs is Australia’s largest hot springs, credited with reviving the country’s bathing traditions when it opened in 2005. From the family-friendly Bath House to a Turkish-style hammam, secluded geothermal pools, cold plunges, an aromatherapy-infused sauna and reflexology walk, there is something for all wellness seekers.
The spacious, hillside design immerses guests in nature’s unique sounds and sights. Don’t miss the iconic Hilltop Pool for a stunning panoramic view – especially at sunset. With a focus on community and sustainability, guests can savour locally sourced bites at the Bath House Café, do a yoga class with a local teacher or book in for a massage incorporating traditional Aboriginal massage techniques.
peninsulahotsprings.com
Lon Retreat & Spa
Best for: pure indulgence
Over a century ago, Claire Gemes’ ancestors discovered mineral-rich waters beneath their Point Lonsdale farm. Then used for cattle and orchards, these healing waters now fill the baths at Claire’s Lon Retreat, a secluded 250-acre sanctuary just under two hours’ drive from Melbourne.
With only 16 guests at a time, the retreat offers an intimate escape with seven luxury suites. Day visitors can also unwind in the indoor mineral bath and steam room with a spa booking. For the ultimate indulgence, the award-winning Private Mineral Retreat for two combines rejuvenating soaks, pampering treatments and a farm-fresh gourmet platter to be enjoyed while gazing at some pretty spectacular ocean views.
lonretreat.com.au
Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa
Best for: history buffs
Located on the site of Australia’s first bathhouse dating back to 1895, Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa is one of Victoria’s few bathhouses with natural mineral water. A 2008 renovation modernised its appeal, offering mineral-rich pools (34°C–36°C) housed in a sleek grey-slate building, only a 90-minute drive from Melbourne.
The Sanctuary package elevates the experience with access to a salt magnesium pool, spa couches, steam room and hammam. Afterwards, explore the surrounding reserve’s mineral taps, visit the Pavilion Café – once the original 19th-century bathhouse – or wander Hepburn’s charming boutiques and local produce stores. Round out the day with a gourmet dinner and wine at The Surly Goat.
hepburnbathhouse.com
Metung Hot Springs
Best for: nature junkies
From dipping into barrel baths overlooking Gippsland Lakes to de-stressing in a secluded pool beneath banksias and bottlebrush trees, Metung Hot Springs offer a true taste of Victoria’s natural bounty. Sweat it out in a glass-walled sauna perched among the gum trees, then plunge into 18°C water for a refreshing reset.
Smaller and more laidback than Victoria’s other bathhouses, this hidden gem is well worth the 4-hour drive from Melbourne. Make a weekend of it and book into a safari-style tent, complete with a king-size bed, ensuite and private bathing barrels on the deck.
metunghotsprings.com
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