Escape at Victoria’s spas

Those looking to beat the winter blues can do just that at one of Victoria’s top spas and retreats. Treatments designed to nourish and rejuvenate body, soul and spirit are available at spas throughout the state where the décor alone is enough to relax and revive. Home to an abundance of natural mineral springs and ancient geothermal springs, Victoria boasts treatment menus to suit all types and time frames – from a quick soak in nutrient-rich waters to an overnight stay an all-day spa package.

MelbourneWith a broad selection of treatments available for proper pampering and preening, there is no better destination to truly relax and unwind in the city than at its luxury day spas. The multi-award winning and ever-elegant, Miss Fox is renowned for its elevated level of luxury, personalised service, warm hospitality and detail-oriented amenities. Conveniently located in Collins Street, this spa is complete with its own champagne and martini bar. ISIKA Day Spa is a peaceful, private retreat on level 27 of Crown Metropol, complete with 10 decadent treatment rooms, an infinity pool overlooking the Melbourne city skyline, relaxation deck, hair salon and nail bar. To continue the sensory journey, guests can stay in one of ISIKA’s residential rooms with private access to the spa. Crown Towers’ opulent Crown Spa is a haven for pampering and relaxation. It boasts a range of treatment rooms and suites as well as a dedicated hair and beauty salon, a hammam steam room, deluge shower and expansive vitality pool. Just outside the city in South Melbourne, Body Freedom is housed  in an 1850’s refurbished hosiery mill. The focus here is on personalisation and each treatment is customised to suit individual needs. Aurora at The Prince Hotel in St Kilda combines elements of Australian indigenous culture with contemporary techniques, using ingredients sourced from the Australian environment.

Daylesford and Macedon RangesKnown as Victoria’s spa country, Daylesford and Hepburn Springs are home to more than 80 per cent of the natural mineral springs in Australia. Free access to natural mineral water can be found at many mineral water reserves in the area, while luxury day spas enable guests to sink into its healing warmth or opt for a spa treatment. The state-of-the-art Salus Spa is located within the grounds of Lake House, a tranquil retreat boasting luxury accommodation and one of the state’s most-loved restaurants. Overlooking Lake Daylesford, the spa is surrounded by waterfall fed streams making it the perfect space to unwind. The Mineral Spa at Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat offers natural mineral water bathing and luxurious spa treatments. Its Mineral Water Retreat features two warm mineral water spa pools and a cool plunge pool, a steam room, lavender sauna, detox box and outdoor sun deck, and is open for twilight bathing every Friday and Saturday evening.

Hepburn Springs’ only historic Bathhouse, The Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa has been in operation since 1895. An icon of the region, spa is nestled within the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve, and draws mineral waters directly from the source. Traditional communal bathing in warmed mineral water pools is available in the Bathhouse and the Sanctuary, with a range of hydrotherapies including spa and relaxation pools, spa couches, aroma steam room and salt therapy pool. Its day spa is dedicated to relaxing and reviving its guests and the menu includes private mineral baths, massages, facials and body treatments. A newer addition to Hepburn Springs, AcquaViva Day Spa offers a broad selection of treatments, including its signature chocolate body wrap. The ultimate in sweet detoxification, thick dark bitter sweet chocolate is used to help remove toxins from the skin. Daylesford Day Spa is housed in a converted heritage building and creates a nature-based experience for all its guests. With six treatment rooms, the spa offers a range of therapies including facials, massage, aromatherapy spas and Le Stone Therapy. Nearby, in the must-visit village of Kyneton, the Moroccan-inspired Ellenis Salon-Spa combines country hospitality with high tech, five star spa sophistication. Its carefully designed treatments and packages are tailored for each guest, and bespoke spa experiences are also available.

Mornington PeninsulaOne of the state’s most popular day spas, Peninsula Hot Springs is comprised of the Bathhouse, with more than 20 globally-inspired bathing experiences, and the Spa Dreaming Centre, where the emphasis is on tranquil spaces, private pools and an array of pampering spa treatments. Treatments include Australian Aboriginal-inspired kodo full body massages to facials, mud and salt wraps and ancient healing stone experiences. New to the spa menu, ‘Peninsula Senses’ offers three new treatments that feature local ingredients, including Pure Peninsula Honey and local shiraz grapes. In Red Hill, Hummingbird Eco Retreat has recently launched a new spa and wellbeing centre featuring massage and facial treatments. The centre creates its own products with herbs and plants grown in their Harvest Gardens. Resident Naturopath, Jane Featherston, is also on hand and Yoga, Meditation and Qi Gong classes are held in the Movement Room. The now national spa brand, Endota Spa was born in the Mornington Peninsula and its Red Hill location offers all the services of both a spa and a beauty salon. Nestled within 50 acres of rolling pastures and lush fragrant bushland, Woodman Estate is set amidst a formal garden of box hedges, rose gardens, herbaceous borders and sweeping lawns to the lake’s edge. With a country style hotel overlooking a private lake and an elegant restaurant, the Woodman Estate spa is the perfect finishing touch to a relaxing weekend away. The seaside town of Rye has recently welcomed two new spas: Arkuna is located in the heart of town and treatments include hot stone massage, deep tissue relaxation and pregnancy massage. Inner Daze has coupled heavenly relaxation treatments with adventurous activities and guests can create packages which include massage, horse riding, surfing and dolphin swims.

High CountryAfter a day on the slopes, there is no better place to unwind than at Dinner Plain’s Onsen & Spa Retreat. This Japanese-style indoor and outdoor alpine spa features a Japanese-inspired outdoor Onsen (hot spring) and an indoor heated pool. During the winter season the Onsen Retreat run fitness and wellbeing classes and offer gym and bathing passes and memberships. Now open all year round, Onsen is an ideal destination in the green season or the snow season. Set in Beechworth’s Mayday Hills The Spa Beechworth is surrounded by the calming backdrop of magnificent 100-year-old gardens on 27 private acres. It is eco-certified, carbon positive and fully sustainable, creating a nurturing and eco-conscious environment. Embracing a holistic spa philosophy, The Spa Beechworth draws on ancient and modern wellness rituals and its products are sourced and developed from traditional indigenous ingredients. Its just-launched Mummy wellness program ensure mums-to-be are well catered for.

GippslandNature abounds in Gippsland, and the rugged terrain is enough for most to find some solace. For those looking to really relax, South Gippsland is home to a selection of spas including the Mornings Light Organic Day Spa, which is set within the rolling hills of South Gippsland, just 10 minutes from Leongatha and 20 minutes from the coastal town of Inverloch. Boasting a fully certified organic status, the spa uses a range of hand made, natural products in its treatments. The bushland surrounds of Koonwarra Day Spa imbues it with a country homestead atmosphere. As well a range of spa treatments, workshops and courses available for guests looking to learn new skills in areas such as Reiki and aromatherapy. Venus Escapes at Venus Bay is just 300 metres from the beach. It offers a range of indulgent day spa services, holistic therapies and deluxe accommodation for adults only, making it the ideal destination for a weekend spa escape.

GoldfieldsNestled amongst the lush gardens of Ballarat Lodge, Ballarat Sanctuary Day Spa provides the ultimate in pampering and relaxation. Guests can enjoy a casual swim in the hydrotherapy pool and spa treatments from indulgent full day packages to relaxing massages, facials & essential beauty treatments. Also in Ballarat, Elysium Day Spa is geared towards promoting a holistic approach to health, wellbeing and beauty allowing guests to relax and unwind in beautiful surrounds. Those looking to pamper themselves at home can swing past Sweet Fern, specialists in luxurious body, bath and home fragrances.

The Murray In Echuca, Body Pamper and Spa offers a complete spa experience for men and women. With a premium skin clinic and seven treatment rooms, it is the perfect location for a girls day out, romantic weekend away or large group bookings. Endota Day Spa Mildura is a little ray of organic sunshine in the heart of Sunraysia, with six relaxing day spa treatment rooms, a pedicure room and lounge. Visitors can tailor-make their own group spa package or build their own mix of footbaths, massage and mini-Mildura-facials. At Corowa’s new Circa 1936 Hotel (opening soon), suite accommodation rates all include a 90-minute of Day Spa treatment per day. A luxurious Asian-inspired Day Spa on the doorstep of the Australian outback, Circa 1936 provides a full range of treatments using the exclusive ‘Nouveau by Circa’ spa products.

Great Ocean Road, Geelong and The BellarineVisitors to the Great Ocean Road and Bellarine can begin their trip with a stop at the Mansion Spa at Werribee Mansion. Facilities including an indoor pool, steam rooms, gymnasium and relaxation lounge. On the Bellarine Peninsula, Mud Day Spa is the onsite award-winning facility at BIG4 Beacon Resort in Queenscliff. Opened just over a year ago, its therapists work with Li’ Tya (Pure Australian Botanicals) products, fusing ancient wisdom and holistic healing principles. The Bellarine Day Spa and Retreat is set on a nine acre property in Portarlington, where nothing but the sounds of nature can be heard. This adults-only spa boasts just three accommodation rooms and massage and relaxation is incorporated into all their packages.

Yarra ValleyAfter a day of enjoying the Yarra Valley, there’s nothing more relaxing than indulging in a spa treatment. Piaf Day Spa in Healesville, is set on 10 acres of lush tree ferns and rainforest. Specialising in massage, relaxation and luxury treatments, guests can choose from a selection of facials, body and massage therapies. Also in Healesville, the Aveda Day Spa at Argyles’ historic Yambacoona Homestead. Visitors are invited to relax with an Aveda herbal tea on the front porch or inside by the open fire. All treatments start with a grounding foot soak and scrub and are customised to each individual. Amidst the undulating hills and vineyards of Balgownie Estate, lies Natskin Day Spa Retreat. There is a complete focus on wellbeing here, with a wide range of beauty therapy, grooming, skin, and body treatments. Treatments are designed to suit the visitor’s needs and can include a two-day detox, a relaxing day to de-stress with a loved one, a day out with the girls, a one hour massage or facial or a combination of activities. It is a beautiful drive over the Black Spur to Marysville, where the brand new The Spa Marysville at the new Vibe Hotel invites visitors to immerse themselves with Relaxing Wellness Bathing, and enjoy a range of face and body therapies by professional spa therapists.

Grampians For those who want to truly escape the hustle and bustle of city life, Griffins Hill Yoga Retreat, two kilometres from Dunkeld is the place to be. Surrounded by panoramic views of the Southern Grampians and set in a six acre bountiful landscaped garden, visitors needn’t be a yogi to appreciate this property. Daily classes are on offer as well as retreats ranging in length from one to seven days. Organic vegetarian meals are provided, with ingredients sourced from the property’s extensive organic garden and other local produce.