We use cookies and other technologies to understand and improve your browsing experience. By using our site, you agree to us collecting this information and to our Privacy Charter.
You’ll be sent the latest news, exclusive offers and competitions to your inbox.
Health & Fitness
The best health and wellness retreats in Victoria
RACV Staff
August 10, 2023
Treat yourself with some serious relaxation at these health and wellness spas and retreats around Melbourne and regional Victoria.
You may be looking to take a break from it all, need to recharge, want to relax or perhaps you’re just indulge in a luxurious experience. Whatever the reason, Victoria is home to a range of health and wellness destinations designed to leave you feeling restored and rejuvenated after a restful stay.
From luxe meditation cocoons and colour therapy in sensorial caves, to Hammam bathing, natural springs, and Japanese onsens, Victoria is filled with self-care sanctuaries where you can get away from it all – and get back to yourself.
So, switch off your phone and retreat to one of these 12 indulgent oases for some well-deserved relaxation, rejuvenation, and pampering – whether it’s the weekend or an indulgent midweek treat.
And, if you’re an RACV Member, you’ll save at a range of wellness and pamper experiences designed to have to you feeling refreshed, revitalised, and relaxed.
Victoria’s best wellness retreats
Peninsula Hot Springs, Mornington Peninsula
Get your glow back with a private bathing sanctuary session at Peninsula Hot Springs, just 90 minutes out of Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula.
Soak alone – or take your special someone – for an enriching experience in the one of the 70 bathing and wellness experiences amongst the natural geothermal mineral waters.
Including massages at the Spa Dreaming Centre, a Turkish Hammam, Nepalese mineral showers, a cold plunge and relaxation centres, you can elect for a day visit, glamping on site, or a stay at the nearby RACV Cape Schanck Resort.
Peninsula Hot Springs also offer a range of new wellness experiences, including the Body Clay ritual, Food Bowl, Fire and Ice Workshop, and a range of yoga and Pilates classes to restore your mind, body and soul.
Take a deep dive into the therapeutic wellness waters and rituals in Warrnambool, approximately three hours west of Melbourne.
Brimming with naturally healing geothermal waters you never knew you needed, the 45-degree-plus open-air hot springs are ready to rejuvenate both body and mind.
A Sanctuary Pass gives you access to over 15 mineral spring rockpools and experiences. Switch off and reconnect to yourself as you explore sound and colour therapy in the sensorial caves, bathe in aromatherapy pools, and feel the natural massage of a rainforest shower.
With the iconic Bells Beach just over the rolling green hills, it’s fitting that water treatment is top of the therapy list at One Spa at RACV Torquay Resort.
As well as an extensive offering of massage, skin, facial and body therapies, there’s the Bian stone facial massage, steam rituals and floatation packages designed to let you unwind and ease into a space of tranquillity.
For the full wellness experience, check out the warm Hammam bathing area, with a floatation pool, spa, thermal stone room and steam room.
Stick with the spoils and stay overnight at the resort. After a restful night’s sleep featuring authentic ocean sounds, you can check out all the beauty the seaside town of Torquay has to offer.
Interested in One Spa but not visiting Torquay? Check out the other luxurious locations at Melbourne CBD, Cape Schanck, and Healesville.
Ofuroya Japanese Bathhouse, Collingwood
Curious about public pampering? Experience the relaxing ritual of communal bathing, stepping off the cool streets of Collingwood and into the serenity of a traditional Japanese bathhouse, the ofuroya.
This is the closest you’ll get to Japanese bathing without visiting the country so, yes, note that this includes getting fully undressed – bathing suits are not permitted.
There are separate baths and saunas for men and women, with towels, wash cloths and kimonos supplied. The traditional ofuroya is designed for you to soak yourself in hot water, wash, soak, and then steam your worries away.
Complete the calmness with a shiatsu acupressure massage to rebalance your energy before finishing with a hot drink in the tatami relaxation lounge.
A traditional Japanese Onsen bath at Mount Hotham. Image: Visit Victoria.
Hepburn Bathhouse provides traditional wellness bathing: Image: Visit Victoria.
Enjoy natural falls at Deep Blue Hot Springs. Image: Visit Victoria.
1 of 3
Aurora Spa & Bathhouse, Sorrento
If you’re looking to relax in luxurious coastal surrounds, go no further than a day of wellness inside The Continental Sorrento, just 25 minutes from the RACV Cape Schanck Resort.
Consisting of four hydro-therapy pools, thermal experiences in mineral-rich waters, an ice room and cold plunge; Aurora also offers wellness experiences including meditation, yoga, and private salt therapy alongside a spa menu of massage, facials, and natural body treatments.
Ballarat Sanctuary Day Spa, Ballarat
One to visit no matter the time of year, seep into a world of serenity at the Ballarat’s Sanctuary Day Spa. Featuring experiences designed for holistic healing and wellness, indulge your senses in the hydrotherapy pool, a dip in the private bathing lounge or open sanctuary, a floating pedicure and a night or relaxation by the open fire.
Visitors can also opt for wellness massages, therapies, and spa treatments before resting their heads at the nearby RACV Goldfields Resort.
Astra Day Spa, Falls Creek
Head straight from the slopes to the spa at this day spa located in Alpine National Park, the largest ski area in Victoria.
A great way to warm up after a day in the snow, head for a dip in the magnesium salt-infused heated pool; relax tired muscles in the spa or dry off with a steam or sauna for a complete relaxation experience. Spa and wellness treatments are also available on site.
Searching for some solitary spoils beyond your usual massage or facial? Immerse yourself in mineral wellness at Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, just 25 minutes from the RACV Goldfields Resort.
A historic bathhouse that has been a source of wellness since 1895, the mineral-rich waters are ready to renew you through your choice of relaxation pool, spa, and aroma steam room.
Add-ons to the Sanctuary Mineral Bathing include an aroma steam room with natural oils, a salt and magnesium pool, creekside open pool, the mineral Hammam and underwater spa couches that bubble up to 35 degrees.
Wellness experiences at the Peninsula Hot Springs. Image: Supplied.
One Spa at RACV Cape Schanck features a luxury Hammam spa. Image: Supplied.
The Japanese Mountain Retreat is designed as a private or couples sanctuary. Image: Supplied.
1 of 3
Metung Hot Springs, East Gippsland
From the Peninsula Hot Springs team comes Metung, a sister site taking in the spectacular views of the Gippsland lakes, approximately four hours from Melbourne.
Offering a range of experiences from geothermal bathing in natural hot springs and plunge pools to restorative options like the authentic Larn’wa Aboriginal Lore wellness ritual, Metung is a chance to escape back to nature for rejuvenation and general wellbeing.
Japanese Mountain Retreat, Dandenongs
This mountain retreat in Melbourne’s famous Dandenongs region is focused on the ancient practice of restorative Japanese bathing.
Aimed at couples looking for a wellness retreat or luxurious getaway, the secluded Japanese Mountain Retreat provides private outdoor bathing for two, spa treatments, and an indoor Roman bath and steam room designed to get you back to nature.
The relaxing experience can be followed by a menu of Japanese fine dining and an overnight stay.
Onsen Retreat and Spa, Dinner Plain, Mount Hotham
Mount Hotham isn’t only primed for on-the-slopes action during ski season. It’s a picturesque place to relax, too.
Admire the glistening snow when soaking under the gum trees in a traditional outdoor Japanese onsen. After taking your relaxing dip in 38-degree waters, head for a swim in the indoor lap pool, or indulge in the plunge spa and sauna.
If you’d rather settle into the serenity alone, book a private bathing experience and immerse yourself in healing Mount Hotham alpine waters.
Alba Thermal Springs and Spa, Mornington Peninsula
Alba Thermal Springs and Spa was designed with luxury and relaxation in mind. A peaceful sanctuary off 22 geothermal pools, including a herbal-infused botanical pool and private rooftop salt pool, the site has a no-phones policy designed to promote a space of complete rest and tranquillity.
There are also a range of springs and spa packages available on site, from the private Alba Artisan massage to guided meditations, an Ancient Immersion ritual, and onsite High Tea.
