Peninsula Hot Springs

While Amanda's friend Sam was in town from Detroit, I tagged along for a day trip to the Mornington Peninsula - just under 1.5 hours south of Melbourne.

 

Peninsula Hot Springs is a geothermal mineral springs and day spa. The facility features over 70 bathing and wellness experiences, all set within a serene natural landscape.

Options are limitless between the family-friendly 'Bath House' and the adults-only 'Spa Dreaming Centre.' Both areas include barrel baths, steam baths, saunas, and cold plunge pools. Additional experiences include spa treatments, moonlit bathing, retreats, and glamping.

The naturally-heated waters rise from 637 metres below ground and flow into the pools and private baths. Mineral springs detoxify the body and contribute to our overall health and wellbeing.

 

The property maintains several wellness and relaxation spaces, plus a three-acre 'Food Bowl' - a beautiful terraced kitchen garden that supplies the cafes with fresh seasonal produce.

It seemed fairly busy for a Friday; this is one of the few outdoor activities that is likely best enjoyed during the colder months.

 

I highly recommend a visit here, and am keen to return - especially for special occasions! Nature-based luxury at its finest.

Alba Thermal Springs

June 1 marked the official start of winter in Australia. After a week of rain and gale-force winds, the weather in Melbourne turned just in time for the holiday weekend.

 

Historically, I've planned most of the trips for Tom and me, which suits us both. But I was excited when he volunteered to organize something for the long weekend. Neither of us was feeling overly ambitious, so he booked a quiet trip down to the Mornington Peninsula.

  

One of the best things to do on the Peninsula in the winter is visit the hot springs. The mineral-rich waters originate over 2,000 ft below ground, and emerge naturally at temperatures between 93°F and 107°F. Alba Thermal Springs is a contemporary geothermal sanctuary nestled into the rugged coastal landscape. It sits just across the road from Peninsula Hot Springs, which I had the pleasure of visiting two years ago with my friend Amanda.

 

Tom and I arrived early on Saturday to enjoy the first hour in a private terrace pool. We spent the rest of the day leisurely hopping between pools. The weather was mild and partly sunny—perfect for soaking. Holiday weekends are about as busy as it gets there, but the whole day still felt calm and unhurried. We spent the evening in Rye and drove home the next morning.

The following weekend, I met my friend Kate at the Cabinet Bar in the city before we went to the Australian Ballet performance of Romeo and Juliet at the Regent Theatre. I hadn't read the play since high school, so I was a little rusty on the finer details of the story—and, of course, there’s no dialogue in a ballet. Fortunately, a program was circulated during the first interval, which helped fill in the gaps.

As the month went on, the days grew gradually colder and darker as we approached the winter solstice: sunrise at 7:35 am and sunset at 5:10 pm.  I purchased a pair of neoprene gloves and socks to help me brave the cold ocean swims, with the water temperature currently hovering around 55°F. I savor the calm, quiet mornings when the bay is still and the water is like glass.