16 Natural Spa Baths Around Australia

From mineral springs to mud baths, these are Australia’s best natural spa baths to put on your weekend bucket list.

There’s nothing quite as calming and comforting as dipping into a nice warm bath. And while you may or may not have your own bath at home, Australia boasts an array of natural spa baths that feel arguably more luxurious and special.

Treat yourself to a relaxing and toasty afternoon at one of these 16 natural spa baths around Australia.

1. Peninsula Hot Springs, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

This lovely little retreat along the Great Victorian Bathing Trail is the real deal, having been voted ‘Best Luxury Mineral Spa’ in the 2014 World Luxury Hotel Awards. By all accounts, however, Peninsula Hot Springs – found on Victoria’s physically-blessed Mornington Peninsula – is something of a stand-out experience, located on a 17-hectare property offering not one, but 20 different styles of relaxation, including thermal mineral spring pools, an underground sauna, private outdoor baths, cave pools, Turkish steam baths and this verrrrry nice-looking hilltop retreat. Entry from $75 per adult.

2. Daylesford Region, Victoria

This is Australia’s premier destination for springs with seemingly mercurial properties. We like the truly lovely Hepburn Bathhouse , which has been rejuvenating visitors since 1895. Entry from $58 per adult.

3. Bitter Springs, Katherine, NT

The Katherine region is famous for its thermal pools but Bitter Springs , in Elsey National Park, is an area barely touched by man. Snorkel to observe the turtles as you drift with the current in the ethereal teal waters of this palm-fringed waterhole. Free entry.

4. Japanese Bathhouse, Blue Mountains, NSW

This Japanese-inspired bathhouse heats local spring waters for use in its treatments, but this does not detract from the natural experience. The indoor and outdoor hot pools are complemented by herbal steams, massages, facials and a Japanese-style teahouse. $95 per person.

5. Innot Hot Springs, Queensland

Beware – these springs are so hot, rumour has it you can cook a chook in the hottest parts of Nettle Creek! You can burrow into the soft sands of the creek or pull up the caravan at the Innot Springs Leisure and Health Park , where several man-made pools have a regulated temperature. Free at Nettle Creek; from $30 a night at Leisure and Health Park.

A scenic image of Innot Springs in Queensland. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland and Colyn Huber Lovegreen Photography) — The water at Innot Springs is extra hot so be careful not to fall asleep… (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland and Colyn Huber Lovegreen Photography)

6. Dalhousie Springs, SA

Stand on a wooden platform in Witjira National Park on the edge of the Simpson Desert and dive into the 36 degrees of bliss that is the long natural oasis of Dalhousie . The springs here are steeped in Aboriginal history and support unique aquatic life, including the strangely-named Lake Eyre hardy-head fish. Culture, ecology and location make this a must-do natural spa experience. $25.80 per vehicle.

A view from Dalhousie Springs at sunrise. (Image: Cathy Lu) — There’s nothing but relaxation at Dalhousie Springs. (Image: Cathy Lu)

7. Clayton Station, SA

Clayton is a working cattle station at the end of the Birdsville Track, so chances are you’re going to get grubby before you soak. But when you’re sitting in a cattle trough, plonked in a paddock, with fresh-from-the-ground hot artesian water massaging tired muscles and the sunset colouring the sky, you won’t want to be anywhere else. $10 per vehicle.

8. Katherine Hot Springs

The natural hot springs are nestled within the Katherine riverbed, and the spring usually averages around 32 degrees. This temperature makes it a perfect destination all year round, but especially tempting during the cold months. The series of clear pools is framed by native vegetation, and the area is a place to relax, enjoy swimming in the pools, and take a stroll through the scenic walking tracks.

9. Zebedee Thermal Springs, WA

The naturally heated, underground waters of Zebedee Springs converge in multi-tiered rock pools amidst a forest of huge native palms at the Kimberley’s El Questro Station.

Hidden in the Kimberley, Zebedee Springs is nature’s spa at its finest. Warm, crystal-clear pools surrounded by ancient palms and red cliffs = pure magic.

You’ll need to stay at the El Questro Homestead for exclusive use (after 12pm), or else get there early so you can lie back in your own private pool, gaze at the canopy overhead, and listen to the water tumbling through the gorge and unwind in nature’s beauty. From $11-22 per person.

Zebedee Springs, El Questro Wilderness Park. (Image: Tourism Western Australia) — The multi-tiered rocks at Zebedee Springs are a must-see. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

10. Lightning Ridge Bore Baths, NSW

On the edge of this delightfully eccentric town is a popular spot for opal fossickers and visitors alike. A deep circular pool , standing open to an outback sky, is fed by hot waters from the Great Artesian Basin and is typical of similar baths you’ll find in western NSW and Queensland, such as at Burren Junction, Pilliga, Blackall and Bedourie. It is open 24 hours a day.

People enjoying a soak in the Artesian Bore Baths in Lightning Ridge, open 24 hours a day. (Image: Destination NSW) — Lightning Ridge Bore Baths are open 24 hours a day. Night swim anyone? (Image: Destination NSW)

11. Hastings Thermal Springs, Tasmania

Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs is situated in the far south of Tasmania’s beautiful Huon Valley, a 90-minute drive from Hobart. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in an ancient yet ever-changing environment. The 28-degree thermal swimming pool gathers and circulates natural thermal spring water which is full of rich minerals (so good for your skin!)

Entry is $5 per adult, which includes the use of the thermal springs pool and amenities all day and access to the five-10 minute platypus and 20-minute hot springs forest walks.

Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs in the Huon Valley (Southern Trove) is a 90-minute drive south of Hobart. Formed millions of years ago, the dolomite cave is one of two show caves found in Australia. (Image: Osborne Images) — Hastings Thermal Springs is filled with rich minerals. (Image: Osborne Images)

12. Artesian Mud Baths, Eulo, Queensland

Within a bough-lined enclosure, add this region’s mineral-rich, skin-conditioning mud to hot artesian water and slip into one of the luxury baths. Listen to the gidyea fire crackling nearby as you relax under a velvet canvas of stars at Artesian Mud Baths . Entry is $95 per adult.

A series of four coloured baths sit outside in the Queensland outback town of Eulo. (Image: Artesian Mud Baths) — The colourful baths are synonymous with relaxation. (Image: Artesian Mud Baths)

13. Alba Thermal Springs & Spa, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

Discover the regenerative forces of nature at Alba Thermal Springs located in the Mornington Peninsula precinct of Fingal. With more than 30 natural pools to explore, from geothermal hot springs to herbal-infused botanical pools, you can unwind surrounded by coastal Moonah woodland. Come evening, you can opt for a night pass to soak up the tranquillity of the sunset or a starry sky while you bathe.

14. Metung Hot Springs, Gippsland, Victoria

Geothermal water was discovered in Gippsland in the 1930s by a company drilling for oil. The legacy is Metung Hot Springs , which has become the region’s premier spot for bathing and relaxation. This clifftop spa is surrounded by lush vegetation and overlooks Lake King, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the view from one of their iconic bathing barrels or massaging thermal showers.

15. Hot Artesian Bore Baths

The Artesian Baths are a signature feature of the Charlotte Plains Outback Station . Drawing up water from deep beneath the earth, visitors can soak their stresses away in the mineral-infused waters beneath the Outback skies. In the private baths, you can also order a cheese and wine platter to add the ultimate touch of bliss.

Charlotte Plains Artesian Bore Baths — Kick back with a cheese and wine platter at Charlotte Plains Outback Station.

16. Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pools

Enjoy a swim at Yarrangobilly Caves thermal pools , which are hidden deep within a valley and cossetted by abundant nature. After a short hike weaving through towering eucalyptus, you’ll be greeted by a 20-metre-long, 2.5-metre-deep pool fed by a natural spring. Perfect for a post-hike dip!

Additional updates written by Elizabeth Whitehead and Rachael Thompson.

Wind through fern tunnels, stop for a wine in a tram bar, or chase giant murals across the wheatbelt. These drives and rides prove Victoria’s best stories are found off the straight and narrow.

There’s something unmistakably Australian about a road trip: car packed, playlist on, landscapes shifting. Travelling down the highway toward Healesville, in Victoria’s Yarra Valley , the mountains rise, flanking me on both sides. I feel its embrace, a silent invitation to explore what lies beyond.

Moss-covered embankments rise on either side, and towering mountain ash trees form a green tunnel overhead. Road signs warn of wombats and cyclists but with giant ferns lining the roadside, the landscape feels prehistoric, as if a dinosaur might suddenly emerge. This, the Black Spur , is one of my favourite road trips.

The Black Spur

Location: Yarra Ranges
Duration: 30 kilometres / 30 minutes

The Black Spur is short compared to other Victorian road trips, just 30 kilometres, stretching from Healesville to Narbethong. But what it lacks in distance, it makes up for in scenery. Just outside Healesville, Maroondah Dam offers bushwalks and scenic views. However, if pressed for time, Selover’s Lookout is an easy roadside stop offering uninterrupted views of the dam.

In Narbethong, close to the Marysville’s snowfield, is the Black Spur Inn , a charming double-storey brick hotel that’s been welcoming travellers since 1863. Here, diners cosy up by the roaring fire or gaze through the floor-to-ceiling windows, imagining horse-drawn coaches carrying hopeful gold seekers to the eastern goldfields.

Victoria’s Silo Art Trail

Location: Various towns across the Wimmera Mallee region
Duration: More than 200 kilometres / 4–5 hours but best over a minimum of three days

What began as a way to draw travellers back into town bypassed by highways – places such as Nullawil, Sea Lake and Patchewollock – has grown into a celebrated outdoor art movement. The Silo Art Trail now includes 23 silos, each transformed with large-scale mural portraits sharing local stories, celebrating community heroes, Indigenous history, farming life, or regional identity.

The Nullawil silo, for example, is a portrait of a local farmer in a chequered flannelette shirt alongside his loyal kelpie, painted by artist Sam Bates (AKA Smug). And the silos at Albacutya in the Grampians, painted by artist Kitt Bennett, depict her joyful memories of growing up in the countryside. Many of the murals sit right in the heart of small towns, such as Rochester and St Arnaud , making them perfect spots to pause for a country pub meal or something sweet from a local bakery.

Metung to Mallacoota

Location: Gippsland
Duration: Approximately 220 kilometres / 4 hours

The Gippsland Lakes are a much-loved holiday spot in Victoria, but road-tripping further east reveals much more. Begin in Metung and time your visit with the monthly farmers’ market, or simply linger over lunch on the lawn of the Metung Hotel. Twenty minutes away is Lakes Entrance , where you can watch the fishing boats return with their catch.

Lakes Entrance. (Image: Visit Victoria/Iluminaire Pictures)

Continue to Marlo, where the Snowy River spills into the sea, and Cape Conran for its many beaches and walks. If needing to stretch your legs, Croajingolong National Park is home to the historic Point Hicks Lighthouse and the Wilderness Coast Walk. Birdwatching and rainforest trails near Bemm River are worth a pit stop before arriving in Mallacoota, where the forest meets the sea.

Great Ocean Road

Location: South-west Victoria, from Torquay to Allansford
Duration: Approximately 250 kilometres / 4–5 hours but best over a minimum of three days

Victoria’s most famous road trip delivers it all: world-class surf breaks, rainforest walks, clifftop lookouts and wildlife encounters. The journey begins in Torquay, the state’s surf capital, then hugs the coast past Anglesea and Lorne to Apollo Bay, before curving inland through the lush rainforest of the Otways. Stop at Cape Otway Lightstation or take to the treetops at Otway Fly.

Between Cape Otway and Port Campbell lies the most photographed stretch – seven of the Twelve Apostles still standing, alongside the golden cliffs of Loch Ard Gorge. Further west, Warrnambool is a winter whale-watching hotspot, before the road winds to Port Fairy, a charming fishing village of whalers’ cottages, walking trails and offshore seal colonies further along the coast.

Bellarine Taste Trail

Terindah Estate. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godfrey)

Location: Bellarine Peninsula
Duration: Approximately 80 kilometres / 2–3 hours

The Bellarine Taste Trail is a feast for the senses, winding through coastal towns, past boutique wineries and artisan producers. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure style trail – simply grab a map and build your own delicious journey.

You might wander historic, seafront Queenscliff, sip wine in a converted tram bar at Terindah Estate , sample a locally distilled whisky at The Whiskery in Drydale or pick up a jar of honey at Wattle Grove in Wallington. Seafood lovers can head to Portarlington, famous for its mussels. Eat them fresh at local restaurants or head out on the water with Portarlington Mussel Tours.

O’Keefe Rail Trail – Bendigo to Heathcote

Pink Cliffs Reserve in Heathcote can be seen on the O’Keefe Rail Trail. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godfrey)

Location: Central Victoria
Duration: Approximately 50 kilometres / 4 hours cycling

Travellers first journeyed between Heathcote and Bendigo in 1888, when the railway line was built to link the towns. Trains stopped running in 1956, but today the route has a new life as the O’Keefe Rail Trail . The path is mostly level for easy riding, and along the way you’ll cycle past bushland, waterways and reserves. There are plenty of places to picnic, birdwatch, and if you’re lucky, spot a platypus.

The trail is well supported with water stations, bike repair points, shelters, and signage. Axedale makes a great halfway stop, with the pretty Campaspe River Reserve for a rest and local cafes for refuelling. Begin in Heathcote, known for its wineries and cafes, or in Bendigo, which is easily reached by train from Melbourne/Naarm. Shorter sections, such as Heathcote to Axedale, are also popular.

Goldfields Track – Ballarat to Bendigo

Location: Central Victoria
Duration: Approximately 210 kilometres / 2–3 days cycling

The Goldfields Track traces a route once so rich in gold it made Melbourne one of the wealthiest cities in the world. Starting at Mt Buninyong, south of Ballarat, the trail leads mountain cyclists and walkers north through Creswick, Daylesford and Castlemaine before finishing in Bendigo. Along the way, you’ll encounter granite outcrops, eucalypt forests, rolling farmland and remnants of the region’s mining past.

As it passes through the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung and Wadawurrung people, the track shares gold rush history and Indigenous stories brought to life by interpretive signs. Walk or ride the full trail or choose from one of its three distinct sections. With cosy stays, cafes and pubs, it’s easy to mix wilderness with comfort.

16 luxurious natural spa baths around Australia