16 luxurious natural spa baths around Australia

Emily Murphy Emily Murphy
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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.

Peninsula Hot Springs
Peninsula Hot Springs is an award-winning natural hot springs.
From steaming mineral pools surrounded by bushland to curious ducks joining in on the fun, Peninsula Hot Springs is pure rejuvenation, and a place where time seems to pause. Gather your crew and soak it all in.

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.

Hepburn Bathhouse
The Daylesford Region has many good thermal baths, including Hepburn Springs. (Image: Visit Victoria)

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.

Bitter Springs
Bitter Springs is set amongst palms and tropical woodlands in the Elsey National Park. (Image: Tourism NT/All About Adventure)

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)

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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.

Katherine Hot Springs
These natural thermal springs are situated on the banks of the Katherine River. (Image: Tourism NT/Kyle Hunter and Hayley Anderson)

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)

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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.

Alba Thermal Springs
Alba Thermal Springs & Spa is located in the stunning Mornington Peninsula.

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.

Metung Hot Springs
Metung Hot Springs overlooks Lake King.

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!

Yarrangobilly Caves thermal pool
Yarrangobilly Caves thermal pool is perfect for a dip. (Image: Destination NSW)
Additional updates written by Elizabeth Whitehead and Rachael Thompson.
Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
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This luxe trawler tour is redefining Victoria’s seafood experience

    Chloe Cann Chloe Cann
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    Victoria’s ‘mussel capital’ is the source of exceptional shellfish used by top chefs far and wide. Step aboard a beautifully refurbished trawler to see how these plump and juicy bivalves are sustainably cultivated.

    A curtain is slowly winched from the placid, teal waters just off Portarlington, like a floating garland beside our boat. The ropes heave with blue mussels, the star attraction of our tour. But as we reach to pluck our own, it’s quickly clear they’re not alone; a mass of weird and wonderful creatures has colonised the ropes, turning them into a living tapestry. ‘Fairy’ oysters, jelly-like sea squirts, and tiny, wriggling skeleton shrimp all inhabit this underwater ecosystem.

    We prize our bivalve bounty from the ropes, and minutes later the mussels arrive split on a platter. The plump orange morsels are served raw, ready to be spritzed with wedges of lemon and a lick of chilli as we gaze out over the bay. They’re briny, tender and faintly sweet. “This wasn’t originally part of the tour,” explains Connie Trathen, who doubles as the boat’s cook, deckhand and guide. “But a chef [who came onboard] wanted to taste the mussels raw first, and it’s now become one of the key features.”

    A humble trawler turned Hamptons-style dreamboat

    inspecting bivalve bounty from the ropes
    Inspecting the bounty. (Image: Visit Victoria/Hannyn Shiggins)

    It’s a crisp, calm winter’s day, and the sun is pouring down upon Valerie, a restored Huon pine workhorse that was first launched in January 1980. In a previous life she trawled the turbulent Bass Strait. These days she takes jaunts into Port Phillip Bay under the helm of Lance Wiffen, a fourth-generation Bellarine farmer, and the owner of Portarlington Mussel Tours. While Lance has been involved in the fishing industry for 30-plus years, the company’s tour boat only debuted in 2023.

    holding Portarlington mussels
    See how these plump and juicy bivalves are sustainably cultivated.

    It took more than three years to transform the former shark trawler into a dreamy, Hamptons-esque vessel, with little expense spared. Think muted green suede banquettes, white-washed walls, Breton-striped bench cushions, hardwood tables, bouquets of homegrown dahlias, and woollen blankets sourced from Waverley Mills, Australia’s oldest working textile mill. It’s intimate, too, welcoming 12 guests at most. And yet there’s nothing pretentious about the experience – just warm, down-to-earth Aussie hospitality.

    As we cruise out, we crack open a bottle of local bubbles and nibble on the most beautifully curated cheese platter, adorned with seashells and grey saltbush picked from the water’s edge that very morning. Australasian gannets soar overhead, and I’m told it’s not uncommon for guests to spot the odd seal, pod of dolphins, or even the occasional little penguin.

    The sustainable secret behind Victoria’s best mussels

    blue mussels off Portarlington
    Blue mussels sourced just off Portarlington.

    Connie and Lance both extol the virtues of mussels. They’re delicious. A lean source of protein and packed with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, iron, selenium, and zinc. They’re cooked in a flash (Connie steams our fresh harvest with cider and onion jam). And they’re also widely regarded as one of the most sustainable foods in the world.

    Portarlington mussels with lemon and chilli
    Mussels served with lemon and chilli.

    “Aquaculture is [often] seen as destructive, so a lot of our guests are really surprised about how environmentally friendly and sustainable our industry is,” Lance says. “[Our mussels] would filter 1.4 billion litres of water a day,” he adds, explaining how mussels remove excess nitrogen and phosphorus from the water. “And through biomineralisation, we lock carbon into mussel shells.”

    a hand holding a Portarlington mussel
    Mussels are a sustainable food.

    Despite their glowing list of accolades, these molluscs have long been seen as the oysters’ poorer cousins. “It was a really slow start,” explains Lance, who says that in the early days of his career, “you could not sell mussels in Victoria”.

    But word has slowly caught on. Chefs as globally acclaimed as Attica’s Ben Shewry and even René Redzepi of Noma, Denmark, have travelled to these very waters just to try the shellfish at the source, sharing only the highest praise, and using Lance’s mussels in their restaurants.

    guests sampling Portarlington mussels onboard
    Sampling the goods onboard. (Image: Visit Victoria/Hannyn Shiggins)

    According to Lance there’s one obvious reason why the cool depths of Portarlington outshine other locations for mussel farming. “The water quality is second to none,” he says, noting how other regions are frequently rocked by harvest closures due to poor water quality. “We grow, without a doubt, some of the best shellfish in the world.” And with Lance’s bold claims backed up by some of the industry’s greatest names, perhaps it won’t be much longer until more Aussies uncover the appeal of Portarlington’s mussels.