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NSW’s newest luxury bathhouse is nestled in the Hawkesbury Valley

Credit: VELA Spa & Bathhouse

Jessica O'Donnell Jessica O'Donnell
The sprawling wellness sanctuary is just a 60-minute drive from Sydney.

A new wellness destination in the Hawkesbury Valley is about to make prioritising relaxation and health a lot easier for locals and Sydneysiders. Opening September 22 within the luxury Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley resort, VELA Spa & Bathhouse invites guests to embrace a few peaceful hours, or even an entire weekend, spent resting, recharging and leaving feeling restored.

To say I’ve had a busy few weeks would be an understatement. I’ve relocated back to Australia after several years living overseas, started a new job and essentially turned my life upside down to begin a new chapter. While I have no regrets, I’ve been feeling run down in a way my usually high-energy self isn’t used to. As I haven’t yet accrued the annual leave to take a proper holiday, an invitation to spend a morning at VELA ahead of its opening date, following a night at Crowne Plaza, was met with an enthusiastic ‘yes, please’ almost instantly.

The sanctuary brings together mineral pools, saunas, steam rooms, cold plunges, float therapy and traditional spa treatments, set on eight hectares of gardens with views towards the Blue Mountains. And as a bonus, it only takes an hour by car to reach from Sydney.

A new wellness destination

vela spa and bathhouse nordic spa
Sweat out your stress in the Nordic sauna. (Credit: VELA Spa & Bathhouse)

The site was previously occupied by Villa Thalgo Day Spa, a much-loved fixture of the Hawkesbury Valley for 25 years. Yet, after the facility was severely affected by repeated flooding, the team decided it was time to completely reimagine the space.

Along with making the new venue more resilient to future flooding, they envisioned VELA as more than a traditional day spa. While the classic spa-day experience hasn’t disappeared – you’ll find an extensive menu of facials, massages and body treatments, from relaxation and aromatherapy massages to advanced skin treatments and immersive three-hour rituals – VELA has been designed as a destination where guests can linger for a few hours, moving between treatments, thermal facilities and relaxation spaces at their own pace, rather than a short intermission in an otherwise busy day.

VELA hasn’t forgotten that wellness is about balance, either. A champagne bar has been added into the mix, ensuring the experience feels as indulgent as it does restorative.

With early access to the new space, I got a taste of everything VELA has to offer. Starting with a couple of hours spent between the different saunas and mineral pool (I don’t think I can count the ice bath, as I only lasted about three seconds), I was booked in for an hour-long massage. When I’ve had massages in the past, I’ve found it tricky to quieten my brain long enough to enjoy it. But thanks to the time I spent in the bathhouse beforehand, I was already relaxed and able to properly switch off during the treatment in a way I usually find impossible.

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Take a hydrothermal journey

vela spa and bathhouse mineral pool
Swim in the mineral pool and feel your mind and body relax. (Credit: VELA Spa & Bathhouse)

At the heart of VELA is its two-hour bathhouse immersion: a thermal journey designed to ease tension, support recovery and leave you feeling a distinct sense of calm.

I moved between magnesium-rich mineral pools, indoor and outdoor cold plunges, a traditional Nordic sauna, barrel sauna, infrared sauna and steam room. There are also dedicated indoor and outdoor relaxation areas when you’re ready to step out of the circuit and just chill. I brought my Kindle with me and took half an hour after my time in the bathhouse to slowly come back to life, rather than just jumping back into my regular routine like I usually would.

For an even deeper reset, VELA’s float rooms feature magnesium-rich pools beneath softly illuminated ceilings. The experience is designed to reduce sensory input and take pressure off the body, giving the body and mind the opportunity to properly reset.

Luxury wellness without the eye-watering price

vela spa and bathhouse
You can swap from indoor to outdoor spa facilities to enjoy the verdant surroundings. (Credit: VELA Spa & Bathhouse)

Despite its premium feel, the bathhouse is surprisingly accessible. A two-hour immersion costs $75 from Monday to Thursday and $89 from Friday to Sunday.

Entry includes the complete bathhouse circuit, along with a robe, towel, slippers, personal locker, tea and light refreshments. Guests booking a spa treatment of 60 minutes or longer also receive a complimentary 60-minute bathhouse immersion.

Those wanting to turn their visit into a longer escape and enjoy the same experience I did can stay at the adjoining Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley. Overnight wellness packages begin at $389 and include accommodation, breakfast and a two-hour bathhouse immersion, making it an easy restorative getaway without having to travel far from Sydney.

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Jessica O'Donnell

Jessica O'Donnell

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8 Thredbo hiking experiences you can only have in summer

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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    Thredbo in summer is a nature lover’s dream of show-stopping alpine beauty, cool mountain air and magical moonlit adventure.

    For many of us, Thredbo calls to mind shimmering slopes and snow-dusted gums, but come summer, this Alpine resort transforms into a playground of an entirely different kind. A cool mountain retreat despite the season, Thredbo summer hikes are astonishingly beautiful, criss-crossing over dramatic peaks, pristine glacial lakes and abundant flora and fauna.

    From approachable tracks for novice walkers to more challenging hikes across the Main Range and even journeys under moonlight, Thredbo puts on an unforgettable show of natural splendour all summer. Lace up your walking boots and take the chairlift from Thredbo village to embark on a self-guided exploration or a tour of the Snowy Mountains’ most compelling landscapes.

    These eight unforgettable hiking experiences are only available in summer and offer an alpine adventure like you’ve never experienced before.

    1. Full Moon Hike to Mt Kosciuszko

    Full Moon Hike to Mt Kosciuszko
    Stand atop Mt Kosciuszko at full moon.

    There’s something almost mystical about hiking by the light of a full moon. This guided experience begins with a 15-minute chairlift ride, where you’ll admire the Thredbo Valley below, bathed in the fading sun.

    Once at the top, you’ll pass rivers, alpine lakes and spot nocturnal wildlife on your way to the Kosciuszko Lookout and Lake Cootapatamba. By the time you reach the summit, sunset is well underway as you watch day give way to night and the alpine landscape magically illuminated by the lunar glow. Enjoy a hot chocolate here before following the path back to Eagles Nest, brightened by the night sky.

    This 13-kilometre hike will take place on 3 January, 2 February, and 2 April in 2026.

    2. Super Full Moon Hike

    Super Full Moon Hike in thredbo
    Take in the might of a super full moon.

    The only thing that could level up the celestial beauty of a full moon hike would be a super full moon hike. Following the same route, you’ll meet the moon when it is largest and closest to Earth by ascending to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko at an elevation of 2228 metres. From such a height, it almost feels as though you could reach out and touch its glowing surface.

    Given the rarity and splendour of the super full moon, limited spots fill up fast for this awe-inspiring hike, so be sure to book the 5 December in advance.

    3. Lunar Eclipse Hike

    Thredbo Lunar Eclipse Hike
    See dazzling celestial displays.

    What could be more extraordinary than witnessing a lunar eclipse from Australia’s highest peak? Whether you’re a keen astronomer or simply revel in nature’s beauty, this guided 13-kilometre hike will place you on top of Mount Kosciuszko just as Earth passes between the sun and moon, throwing shade over the lunar surface before transforming it with a deep-red hue.

    It’s an epic place to witness one of our galaxy’s most spectacular and rare light shows. Apart from the dazzling celestial display, you’ll also enjoy walking through the moon-bathed landscape, an evening chairlift ride, and a hot chocolate at the summit.

    Book now for 3 March.

    4. New Moon Hike

    New Moon Hike Mt Kosciuszko
    Catch the changing skies of a new moon.

    A stargazer’s delight, the darkness of a new moon gives the Milky Way full permission to dazzle with its shimmering display. Both astronomers and photographers will relish this opportunity to observe and capture the starry skyscape from the lofty height of Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. Departing Thredbo Village at dusk and leaving its twinkling lights far below, you’ll arrive at the summit in time to see the sun slip away and the stars appear.

    Catch this hike during the new moon lunar phase on 20 December, 19 January, 17 February, 19 March or 17 April.

    5. Thredbo River Track

    Thredbo River Track
    Take yourself along the Thredbo River Track.

    Embark on a gentle entry into the Snowy Mountain scenery with an amble along the Thredbo River. This self-guided hike hugs the river and wanders along the valley floor, revealing snow gum forests, swimming holes and little waterfalls that make for revitalising cold plunges in the summer heat.

    6. Merritts Nature Track

    Merritts Nature Track thredbo summer hikes
    Stop at swimming holes along the way.

    On warm summer days, venturing into the cooler air of Thredbo’s alpine tracks offers relief from the heat. Particularly if you set course for the four-kilometre Merritts Nature Track, where there are opportunities to take a refreshing dip in swimming holes along the way.

    The two-to-three-hour self-guided hike meanders through towering ancient trees (dubbed the ‘Pixie Forest’ by locals), takes in stunning mountain vistas and is soundtracked by the melody of birdsong. Stop for a picnic and discover a hidden natural infinity pool, the location of which is given away by the roar of a cascading waterfall.

    7. Mt Kosciuszko Summit Tour

    Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko's summit.
    Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko’s summit.

    While you can easily steer yourself to Australia’s most iconic peak without a guide, following an expert guide to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko will colour your experience with a deeper knowledge of the landscape and its wild inhabitants. The 13-kilometre return trail puts the alpine scenery on display with 360-degree views from the highest spot in the country.

    The walk begins at the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift and takes around four to six hours to complete, but is gentle enough to be embarked upon by all ages.

    8. Snowies Alpine Walk Experience

    Snowies Alpine Walk Experience
    Join a two- or three-day experience along Snowies Alpine Walk.

    If you’re looking to truly untether from daily life and embark on a real immersion in Thredbo’s stunning alpine scenery, pack your hiking boots for the newest multi-day walk in the mountains. The Snowies Alpine Walk can be tackled over two or three days and includes nightly accommodation in the iconic Thredbo Alpine Hotel, daily buffet breakfast, packed lunch and dinner vouchers, plus daily transfers to and from trail heads in a brand-new Defender.

    The two-day experience covers 24 kilometres, while the three-day experience almost doubles that at 44 kilometres. Along the way, explore barely trod landscapes, vast high-country plains and uplifting mountain horizons.

    Discover the full offering of summer hikes in Thredbo at thredbo.com.au.