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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. Opened on 22 September, 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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7 Lake Macquarie secrets the locals don’t want you to know

Credit: Beau Pilgrim

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    An untapped side to this popular holiday spot is hiding in plain sight.

    Laidback Lake Macquarie draws in holidaygoers and day trippers with its casual coastal allure and raw beauty. But even though it’s just 90 minutes from Sydney, most visitors have only scratched the surface of what this region has to offer.

    Foodie hotspots, quaint towns, tranquil waterways and compelling art are all waiting to be discovered. You just need to know where to find them.

    1. Most visitors don’t make it to the western side

    Explore beyond the western side. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

    While there’s no harm in walking the well-worn path in this idyllic pocket of the world, the area west of Lake Macquarie is defined by stretches of ancient rainforests and quaint towns with a more local feel. Toronto is the largest town on this side and features a golf course and sailing clubs, while peninsula-based Wangi Wangi is fantastic for bushwalking and swimming.

    2. There’s a booming arts scene

    Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG
    Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG.

    Lake Macquarie is a must-visit destination for creatives. Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG; this modern gallery is set on a five-hectare sculpture park and showcases a free rotating program of exhibitions and events, with a strong focus on contemporary Aboriginal art. In Wangi Wangi, explore the Wangi Owl Trail, which includes Dobell House, the preserved home of prolific artist Sir William Dobell. And enjoy live music every Saturday evening at the recently renovated Toronto Hotel.

    3. It’s a nature lover’s paradise

    three people swimming in lake macquarie
    In and out of the water, find a natural paradise. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

    Lake Macquarie is a playground for nature lovers. It’s home to Australia’s largest saltwater lake, a 110-square-kilometre haven for swimming, fishing, boating and sunset views. Another oasis is the Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area, a 761-hectare protected reserve with wildflowers, Second World War heritage sites and spectacular views to Pulbah Island. The upgraded Toronto baths, complete with jetty decking and netting, make for a sheltered spot for a refreshing dip, while the Awaba Mountain Bike Park gives adrenaline junkies their fix.

    4. The dining scene is unbeatable

    8 at Trinity lake macquarie
    Treat yourself to 8 at Trinity.

    Gourmands are well looked after in Lake Macquarie. At Emerson’s on the Lake in Toronto, the modern Australian fine dining menu spoils seafood lovers with the freshest ocean produce and stunning lake views. Sitting on Trinity Point’s waterfront, 8 at Trinity is another standout offering, serving Mediterranean fare in an open-air setting. For a more relaxed affair, the microbrewery trail lets craft beer enthusiasts sip on inventive brews from The Yard, Lake Mac Brewing and Bread & Brewery.

    5. There are hidden coves and waterways

    kayakers on lake macquarie local secrets
    Get out onto the lake. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

    There’s no better way to experience Lake Macquarie than directly on its waters, and in doing so you’ll discover a world of hidden coves and secluded waterways. Jump in a kayak for a tour with the friendly team at School of Yak and paddle to Cockle Creek, Awaba Bay, Green Point and Fennel Bay, discovering underwater life along the way. Or go all in and stay the night on one of Lake Macquarie Houseboats’ spacious vessels or hire a BBQ pontoon boat for the day from Lake Macquarie Boat Hire to enjoy a feast in the sunshine while admiring the marine life and picturesque waterscape.

    6. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise

    ll blue wren sitting on a tree branch
    Keep an eye out for local birdlife. (Credit: Walter Coppola)

    Twitchers are in for a real treat as hundreds of fascinating bird species such as Australian pelicans, black swans, white-bellied sea-eagles and superb fairy-wrens call this area home. Take a self-guided tour around top spots including Bird Cage Point and Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area (near Morisset) or be guided in a clear-bottom kayak through the waterways with Lake Macquarie Kayak Adventures, observing feathered friends as you go.

    7. The lake has islands

    sail lake macquarie
    Charter a boat to see Lake Macquarie’s islands.

    Hop on a private boat, kayak or charter around the lake to discover the plethora of small islands peppered around Lake Macquarie. The largest is Pulbah Island, a 69-hectare nature reserve home to goannas and sugar gliders with secluded beaches. Sandy islands such as Spectacle Island and Pelican Island have a tropical lagoon-like look to them as they sit in the tidal path of Swansea Channel, which filters the sand and creates a pristine environment. Stop by for a dip and a picnic.

    Start living like the locals at visitlakemac.com.au.