When you think of the state of Victoria in Australia, the iconic graffiti-covered laneways and trendy cafes of Melbourne might be the first thing that comes to mind. A road trip along the majestic coast might come a close second.
But in the last year, a new wellness trend has emerged in the form of bathing culture, making the most out of Victoria’s incredible subsurface geothermal water. Coined the Great Victorian Bathing Trail, this 900-kilometre route highlights hot springs, mineral springs and sea baths along the southern coastline of Victoria. The aim is for experience seekers to weave it into other nature-based activities, such as bush walks, yoga and mindfulness workshops, and gourmet-worthy meals.
The trail is inspired by the likes of New Zealand’s Thermal Explorer Highway and Switzerland’s Grand Tour Deluxe. The Great Victorian Bathing Trail promises a staggeringly beautiful ride, whether you take yourself down to the stunning Lon Retreat on the Bellarine Peninsula or to the stylish Alba Thermal Springs and Spa along the Mornington Peninsula.
Leave your mobile phones in your handbag, and find below the best bathing experiences that will draw out your inner calm.
Peninsula Hot Springs
Peninsula Hot Springs’ natural geothermal waters have hogged the spotlight when it comes to bathing in Victoria since 1997. There’s a chance that if you’ve been down south from Melbourne, you would have stopped by this sprawling wellness facility to soak in one of their Bath House pools while relaxing to the sound of chirping birds. The options here are endless; from cave pools to hilltop pools to a naturally-landscaped bathing gully, it is completely possible to spend an entire day flitting from pool to pool. Rich in boron, magnesium, potassium and sodium, the water is naturally heated by the earth’s core and is estimated to be over 10,000 years old. You’ll feel truly at one with the forest and that is part of its appeal—alongside the multifarious healing benefits of bathing, which includes stress and blood pressure reduction, muscle rehabilitation and improved sleep.
Those keen on having their own space can opt for private bathing, where you are given your own personal tub (think a swirling barrel of warm water all to yourself). I highly suggest booking in an apothecary workshop before your session, where you are gently guided into making an aromatherapy pouch to take into the bath. Alternatively, if a night-time soak sounds up your alley, Peninsula Hot Springs’ moonlit bathing experience is particularly special.
Alba Thermal Hot Springs and Spa
Just opposite Peninsula Hot Springs is Alba Thermal Hot Springs and Spa, the newest addition to wondrous bathing facilities in the area. Stepping inside the raw concrete building designed by leading architect Hayball, there’s an immediate sense of calm as you let the stillness of the lobby embrace you. A circular skylight at the end of the hallway allows for streams of sunlight to flood in, alongside the soothing sounds of cascading water. If a body massage, facial treatment or aroma bath is what you’ve booked in for, change into one of their fluffy robes and be escorted to the spacious waiting room for a spot of warm tea while you soak in the rugged beauty of the coastal Moonah woodland. Their body and massage treatments are both grounding and divine, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly time flies by here.
There are 31 pools dotted around the gorgeous, undulating landscape, ranging from geothermal springs, rain pools, botanical pools, forest pools and cold plunge pools. Start from the top and make your way to the bottom, or pick a path that suits your fancy. The social pools are best enjoyed with your best crew, while the secluded pools are a fantastic spot to clear your mind. If you’re looking for something even more special, the private rooftop salt pool and sunset pool Eve are also worth a dip.
Wrap up your time at Alba with a nourishing meal at Thyme, where guests sip cocktails in plush robes. Call for the moreish crumbed fish sandwich, served with cos lettuce, shiso and nori tartare, as well as the Alba red rice bowl, topped with tataki sesame ocean trout. Come 2025, there will also be an option to stay overnight at Alba in their swish new accommodation, The Sanctuary—a luxury retreat like no other.
Aurora Spa and Bathhouse
The coastal town of Sorrento is a holiday favourite amongst locals, for its beautiful, craggy beaches, cute cafes and local shops which sell everything from fresh produce to handcrafted items. Amidst the low-lying historic buildings, the Intercontinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula sits perched on a slope, a sophisticated gem which also houses the brand-new Aurora Spa and Bathhouse.
The all-weather subterranean bathhouse is a chic wellness experience perfect for a group of girlfriends, or a romantic getaway for two. Its 11-step bathhouse ritual is an immersive 90-minute journey where you will emerge a rejuvenated version of yourself. The path takes you through several magnesium mineral pools and hot and cold thermal suite experiences on a hot-cold-rest-repeat cycle which harnesses the powerfully regenerative effects of contrast therapy.
Alternatively, you’re encouraged to design your own adventure. Aurora Spa and Bathhouse’s cleansing ritual is unique and deeply transformative. The combination of Aurora salts with their body cleanser forms a beautifully-scented grainy paste which sloughs away rough skin and leaves you primed for whatever comes next. Otherwise, the skin-softening waters and reflexology stones in the Reflexology Pool or the 38 degree Celsius bubbling water of the skylit Daydream pool are delightful.
Once you’re a softer and cleaner version of yourself, hop out and pop into one of their wellness-related rooms. The Glacial Mist Room’s alpine winds are inspired by the Finnish tradition of rolling in the snow after a sauna—which in turn trains your mind to cope with stress through controlled breathing. Halotherapy is also a popular choice here, where the microclimate of a salt cave helps with respiratory conditions, anxiety relief and an overall immunity boost.
For more information, visit The Great Australian Bathing Trail
