Happiness is... a luxury day spa

One Spa, RACV Torquay Resort

The place: One Spa is in RACV’s Torquay Resort at the gateway to the spectacular Great Ocean Road. Since it opened in 2013, it has become a popular destination for locals, day trippers and international visitors.

The vibe: Scandi cool reflected in the earthy textures and pine-slatted decor.

Spa menu: One Spa’s philosophy is to “revive and restore balance in the body”. Choose remedial or relaxation massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, waxing, skin and body treatments. There’s a steam room and a thermal stone room - the hammam bathing experience.

Best for: Couples, a mid-week pamper, bridal parties or solo time.

Signature treatment: The two-hour Bells Beach Body Bliss package includes body exfoliation and wrap, full body massage, scalp massage and hammam bathing.

Salus Spa at Lake House, Daylesford

The place: Lake House opened in 1984 and the Salus Spa was added in 2008. It’s on six acres of gardens that cascade down to Lake Daylesford. Book a private treetop cabin for the ultimate getaway.

The vibe: Blonde wood, touches of Tiffany blue, streams and mineral springs.

Spa menu: Detox and hydration wraps, an exotic milk bath ritual and male and female facials are on the menu. Try a bamboo massage with bamboo sticks to loosen built-up tension.

Best for: A romantic weekend, reconnecting with friends, a wedding or baby shower gathering.

Signature treatment: The 90-minute Salus Signature Bliss is a soothing massage with hot volcanic rocks, warm oil and lime and ginger salts body polish. After a face and scalp massage, cleanse the body with a blend of steam, Vichy jets and waterfall showers.

One Spa, RACV Cape Schanck Resort

The place: RACV’s Cape Schanck Resort has been redeveloped, and One Spa is a new addition. Located at the southern tip of the Mornington Peninsula, the rugged coastline is a dramatic backdrop and the building’s curved design echoes the nearby landscape.

The vibe: “This is a contemporary resort and the spa reflects the nature and the coast,” says Kirsty Vardis, One Spa manager.

Spa menu: The thermal stone steam room hammam is popular. Have a customised facial, detoxing mud body therapy, or create your own spa package.

Best for: A mid-week getaway or couple time in a double treatment room.

Signature treatment: The Peninsula Pamper package includes a hydrotherapy tub soak with your partner and a 60-minute massage side by side. Then relax with chocolate strawberries and sparkling wine.

Mansion Hotel and Spa, Werribee

The place: Turn back the clock in a grand 19th-century estate surrounded by English-style gardens. Werribee Park is a 30-minute drive from the CBD, but you’ll feel far from the hustle.

The vibe: Old-style elegance.

Spa menu: Choose a hot stone massage, a seasonal body wrap, or a package with body and skin treatments, steam and massage.

Best for: A short escape, a luxurious lunch with friends, or a pre-wedding or pregnancy pamper. Just for Men and Teen Time packages also available.

Signature treatment: The three-hour Moroccan Melt in a private steam room with a sugar body scrub and body mud cleanser, a therapeutic massage and a botanical facial. An orange creme hair treatment completes the top-to-toe experience.

Onsen Retreat and Spa, Dinner Plain

The place: Set in the alpine village of Dinner Plain, this is Australia’s first indoor-outdoor alpine retreat and spa. Expect endless views, crisp mountain air and silence.

The vibe: “This is a luxury getaway surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature,” says spa operations manager Jessica Grewer.

Spa menu: The Alpine Foot and Calf Recovery Ritual is popular with skiers to ease muscle fatigue. Try the Couples Mountain Escape for a romantic interlude - it includes a private geisha soak, body exfoliation, wrap and massage, a tasting platter and bathing.

Best for: Finish a day in the snow with a soak in the outdoor onsen spa heated to a cosy 39 degrees.

Signature treatment: Jessica recommends the Japanese-inspired outdoor Alpine Onsen Bathing - a magical experience when the snow is falling.

Chuan Spa, Melbourne

The place: Chuan Spa has been at The Langham, Southbank, for 13 years. “Our outdoor deck with its saltwater pool and jacuzzi overlooks the city, so twilight treatments with the city lights as a backdrop are pretty special,” says Gabrielle Winters, spa operations manager.

The vibe: Contemporary five-star meets traditional Chinese medicine.

Spa menu: Try a massage, facial or body wrap – herbal salt or detoxifying mud. Finish with a tri-bathing ritual by soaking in the jacuzzi and then relaxing in the sauna and riverstone snail shower. Couples can enjoy a ‘geisha tub’, hot stone massage, facial and lychee cocktails.

Best for: Mid-week ‘me’ time, mother-daughter time, or a day with your bestie or partner.

Signature treatment: The Chuan Harmony Massage uses head-to-toe flowing relaxation movements and therapeutic acupressure.

Miss Fox, Melbourne

The place: This boutique spa opened in Melbourne’s CBD in 2010 as a ‘self-care sanctuary’ and won the title of World’s Best Beauty Salon 2018 in the World Spa Awards. The Ruby Lounge centrepiece is a two-metre-high chandelier and treatment beds have 1000-thread-count sheets.

The vibe: “It’s New York loft and Parisian boudoir,” says owner, Victoria Fox.

Spa menu: Exfoliate with natural pink Himalayan mineral salt and have a Luxury Aromatherapy Massage with plant-based oils and organic aromatherapy blends.

Best for: A few hours’ escape from the corporate world and days when you want to feel special.

Signature treatment: Lost in the Roses sees guests relax on a bed of fresh rose petals for exfoliation with coconut sugar body polish. Step in to the silver roll-top bath and soak in coconut milk and rose petals and finish with a full body massage, champagne and strawberries.