A Totally Indulgent Guide To Daylesford Mineral Springs & Spas

Daylesford and Hepburn Springs are renowned as Australia’s premier spa and mineral spring country. Come visit and indulge in the enriching effects of both natural mineral bathing and drinking the mineral elixir.

People travel from all over the globe to experience the many physical, mental and spiritual benefits of submerging oneself in mineral springs. Daylesford and Hepburn Springs reign supreme when it comes to destination spas that invigorate the soul and soothe the mood. Here’s a definitive list of the best in the region to retreat from the fray and soak (or sip) nature’s bounty all in.

Mineral springs in Daylesford and Hepburn Springs

It is a common misconception that Daylesford is home to natural hot springs; if you’re after a soak in a hot spring in the Daylesford region, skip ahead to the spas and bathing houses section to find out where you can soak in the manually heated mineral water. The mineral springs here are actually famed for their taste and many travel to pump mineral water to take home, all have unique mineral qualities that contribute to the overall taste. Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve is a veritable ‘hot spot’ of places to visit. The same goes for the watery wonders of Central Springs Reserve in Daylesford.

a scenic view of Lake Daylesford — Lake Daylesford is surrounded by several mineral springs. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Central Springs Reserve – Lake Daylesford

Lake Daylesford is one of the easiest places to access some of the best mineral springs in all of Australia. Park your car here or take a short walk from the town centre and meander your way to these four delightful springs. We recommend bringing a picnic blanket and a few delicious takeaway snacks from the excellent cafes on the main street. Look out for wildlife on your way because you just might see an echidna, turtles, wallabies, and cute ducklings about.

a man-made lake in Daylesford — Lake Daylesford is a short walk from the town centre.

Hard Hills Spring is a highly photogenic and physically beneficial spring in Daylesford. This deep piped trench features two outlets. It’s always a highlight for visitors exploring the Central Springs Reserve.

Wagga Spring is a sanctuary for natural bathing and is easily accessible by the addition of manmade steps. It’s easy to spot as you stroll along the sidewalk.

Sutton Spring was originally founded by miners (the sons of Thomas Sutton) who were sluicing for gold in the area. Subsequently, said miners inadvertently assisted in the creation of a limestone-lined trench that feeds the definitive ‘eye’ of the spring here.

Wombat Flat Spring is just a short walk from the centre of Daylesford. It’s nestled between the shady trees and grassy banks of the stunning lake. An excellent spot for a leisurely picnic lunch.

Jubilee Lake Mineral Spring

Jubilee Lake Mineral Spring is one of Daylesford’s most relaxing mineral springs. It’s a quick drive from town and is arguably much quieter than other more well-known spas in the area. There’s a kiosk here if you’re hungry après swim.

a scenic view of the Jubilee Lake — Jubilee Lake is one of Daylesford’s must-see attractions. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Glenlyon Mineral Spring

Glenlyon Mineral Spring is located adjacent to the scenic Glenlyon Recreation Reserve. It’s a divine place to picnic and/or BBQ while you enjoy sipping on the pure mineral spring. Fact: Glenlyon Mineral Spring features some of the highest levels of soluble salts in the area and is a rich source of calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium.

Woolnoughs Crossing Mineral Spring

Woolnoughs Crossing Mineral Spring now here’s a secluded haven that is ideal for rest and relaxation. Situated on scenic Kangaroo Creek the spring here is surrounded by decorative stonework and the water features a mineral combination of calcium, magnesium, and sodium.

Leitchs Creek Mineral Springs

Leitchs Creek Mineral Springs is a peaceful nook surrounded by enchanting forest scenes. Note: it’s only a short drive from here to spectacular Trentham Falls and some of the best wineries in the region like Passing Clouds.

Taradale Mineral Springs Reserve

The mineral spring pump at Taradale is a beautiful place to visit and drink the refreshing water whilst enjoying a picnic. It’s also close to the regal Taradale House Estate , a boutique property with luxe cottage-style accommodation.

Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve

Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve is the first to be found in the area, this place is great for enjoying nature walks and filling up your water bottle with the refreshing tonics from the series of springs here. Sip on samples from the following springs within the reserve; Soda, Sulphur, Liberty, Wyuna, Golden and Argyle and experience the benefits of consuming calcium, silica, magnesium and an abundance of other wonderful minerals. There’s also a fun kids’ playground and a neat picnic/BBQ area for visitor use. Remember to bring your own refillable water bottle along and stop by the famous Hepburn Springs Bathhouse which is located in this reserve.

Spas and bathhouses

Daylesford and Hepburn Springs are the heart of spa country. It’s an alluring destination with a penchant for gourmet cafes and restaurants along with the ever-present benefits of the coal mineral springs. What a terrific combination and an excellent excuse (do you even need one?) to plan a Daylesford itinerary that features an indulgent visit to any of the following spas and bathhouses here.

The Spa at Lake House

Anyone who has been here will enthusiastically attest to how fantastic it is! The impeccable location, the variety of treatments and the opulent suites at the famed Lake House make it one the best destination spas in the country. Their heated hydrotherapy spa is set in a mystical, private location amid the willow trees.

back view of a woman on a treetop spa at Lake House Daylesford — Whisk yourself into a state of zen at The Spa in the Lake House. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Did you know that the mineral spring water in Daylesford is said to help boost circulation and help with the detoxification process? Well, you do now. The Spa at the Lake House is open to guests and visitors and all their signature rituals utilise the Lake House’s own small-batch luxury bath and body products, many of which harness natural ingredients from the region.

Pool at the Lake House with views of Lake — Bask in serenity at The Spa within the iconic Lake House in Daylesford. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Acqua Viva Day Spa

Offers exceptional service and a tempting spa menu that’s bound to impress. Book in for a blissful massage, mineral water spa soak, facial treatment, Vichy Shower Steam Bath and/or a mud wrap. It’s a popular day spa in Hepburn Springs with reasonably affordable treatments. A great central location near all of our favourite accommodation options.

Shizuka Ryokan Japanese Country Spa

Open to in-house guests and day trippers alike, the Shizuka Ryokan Japanese Country Spa is a tranquil space to enjoy a private Japanese bathing ritual, yoga class and/or a traditional shiatsu massage.

Their signature ‘geisha facial’ leaves your skin and spirit feeling refreshed and revitalised. Be sure to check out their tailored accommodation and spa packages before booking.

a person eating Japanese meal at Shizuka Ryokan Japanese Country Spa — Cap off your experience with an authentic Japanese meal.

The Mineral Spa

A restorative, highly acclaimed spa that boasts potent healing treatments that draw from natural earth elements. After something a little different? Night bathing in the ‘retreat area’, an indoor/outdoor mineral water therapy zone is a totally unique spa experience. All other spa packages (including a combination of mineral springs soaks and body treatments) are available seven days a week from 9am.

Note: the pools here are a balmy 380 degrees Celsius and there’s also a cool plunge pool to invigorate you, a basalt stone sauna, 11 treatment rooms and a dedicated steam room. The Mineral Spa is located within the grounds of the historic Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat in Hepburn Springs – one of the best luxury stays in the region.

Two women soaking in hot springs at Peppers Mineral Springs in Hepburn — Detoxify at Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat in Hepburn Springs. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa

A peaceful haven for people seeking wellness-themed treatment, a soak in the onsite mineral springs, a nutritious lunch, or all of the above.

The historic Hepburn Bathhouse draws mineral-rich water directly from nature’s source for guests to enjoy and the dedicated spa therapists are experts in deluxe body massages, facials, thermal mud rituals and more.

Travel Tip: enquire about the great range of Hepburn Springs spa packages before you visit.

the pool at Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, Daylesford — Soothe your tired muscles in the rejuvenating pool at Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Daylesford Day Spa

Destress your body, mind, and spirit via an indulgent treatment here. This award-winning venue offers an excellent range of Daylesford spa packages. The expert therapists are all about the ‘art of relaxation’ and you will be too after a treatment or two.

From cabins to canvas, craft distillers to destination dining, Heathcote locals reveal their eco-savvy passions in ways that resonate with those seeking to travel lightly.

Heathcote , on traditional Taungurung Country in Central Victoria, is synonymous with its garnet-hued shiraz, but wine isn’t the only string to its bow. The town itself is sprinkled with heritage buildings from the gold rush era, and beyond that a growing collection of sustainable gastronomy and eco-friendly escapes. Nearby Bendigo, one of only 65 cities in the world recognised as a UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy, plates up an astonishing calibre of produce, wine and food for its size. Increasingly the entire region is taking up the challenge, though Heathcote in particular shines with its focus on sustainability.

Pink Cliffs GeologicalReserve — The dramatic landscape of Heathcote’s Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Goodfrey)

The eco-stays bringing sustainability to Heathcote

Yellow BoxWood’s safari-style tents — Yellow Box Wood’s safari-style tents are nestled on 40 hectares of bushland. (Image: Emily Goodfrey)

Andee and Lisa Davidson spent years working in southern Africa before settling in Heathcote. “We had a vision of how this could be,” explains Andee. “We wanted a retreat, but one that was off-grid and environmentally sustainable.” Now, at Yellow Box Wood , two luxury safari-style tents are at the heart of 40 hectares of rolling hills and native bush, with kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, goanna and birdlife aplenty. It’s all solar-powered, wood for the fire is mainly fallen timber, and water is collected on the carport roof. No lack of creature comforts though – en suite with rain shower, espresso coffee maker, comfy seating, wood-burning fire all set to go. There’s also a solar-heated, mineral salt pool in a bush setting, walking tracks, and even a mini bush golf course. On my visit, I put the vision to the test. Cocooned in the plush four-poster bed I can glimpse the stars, while the heater casts a golden glow on the canvas. In the morning, I wake to a blush-pink sunrise, kangaroos feeding and a soundtrack of magpies.

If a tent is not your style, Stephen and Cally Trompp’s carbon-neutral Mt Ida Eco Cabin might entice with its generous deck and farmland views. Inside the cabin, corrugated iron walls as rusty as a shearing shed, gleaming (recycled) floorboards, timber truss ceiling (crafted by Stephen), wood-fired heater and an old-school turntable with a pile of vinyls to spin. It’s fun, and a little boho. “Everything is recycled. The cabin takes maximum advantage of the sun in winter. It’s all solar-powered. Don’t panic, though,” says Stephen, “you can still charge your phone and get 4G reception!” Settle into an Adirondack chair on the deck or pedal off on a mountain bike to suss out the wineries.

A taste of Spain in Central Victoria

Another person with a vision is Evan Pritchard at his Three Dams Estate where the wines reflect his deep love of Spain and of Spanish-style grapes, such as tempranillo. Afternoons in the ‘wine shed’ or cantina are matched with music (flamenco is a favourite), Spanish bites from tapas to paella (with Evan on the pans!) and views to Mount Alexander. Sustainability is also a passion. “You don’t need to buy anything. We decided to be off-grid from the start, but it is a lifestyle change,” he says. “You need to think about it and be careful.” Everything here is recycled, reassembled, refurbished. Evan has an electric car (with solar-powered charger), solar-power for the winery, and even a jaunty little electric tractor/forklift. “I love the idea of all the things you can do using the sun.” Sipping a crisp rosado (a Spanish rosé) with Evan in the sunshine, I couldn’t agree more.

The vineyard redefining sustainable winemaking

Silver Spoon winery — The Silverspoon Estate winery is completely off-grid. (Image: Graham Hosking)

On the other side of Heathcote, Silver Spoon Estate demonstrates sustainability on a more extensive scale. Tracie and Peter Young’s winery, cellar door, award-winning restaurant and their own house are all solar-powered and off the grid. Sustainability is intrinsic to everything they do. The property sprawls across 100 hectares, with 20 hectares under vine – shiraz, viognier, grenache, tempranillo. As the climate has changed, so too has the approach. These are dry-grown vineyards. “We prune for drought. That means lower yields but more intense flavours,” says Peter. The fine-dining restaurant offers sweeping views, a wood-burning fire and a deck for languid lunches. Head chef Ben Hong sources regional, sustainable ingredients and weaves estate wines into the menu – think crispy wild mushroom arancini, viognier-infused chicken breast.

Silver Spoon’s award-winning restaurant.

Heathcote’s other hidden gems

Not all local wineries have a cellar door, but I find local treasures at the Heathcote Wine Hub , a petite 1855 timber church in the main street, lovingly returned to life by Karen Robertson and Carey Moncrieff. “Carey is a scrounger,” says Karen. “He doesn’t throw a single thing away.” He does, however, craft things into something quite special. Heritage floors, light-filtering lancet windows and shelves of regional wines create the perfect ambience for wine tasting. Or order a glass and linger over a cheese platter.

Heathcote is not all wine, of course. Nathan Wheat and partner Vanessa Curtis run Envy Distilling with a committed sustainable ethic – and a serious love of gin. Their small-batch distillery produces grape-based gin, and soon brandy. Distilled water is reused in an ingenious cooling system. All waste is treated on site. They buy excess wine from winemakers to distil and buy recycled barrels. “Distilling with the sun,” as Nathan says. Each Envy gin has its own story. Spicy, award-winning The Dry, is designed to capture the region’s dry, rugged nature. Pull up a stool at the bar (reclaimed timbers and tiles, of course), order a Gin Flight, or kick back with a cocktail and let Nathan share his eco journey.

Envy gins — Sample gins at small-batch distillery Envy.

A traveller’s checklist

Getting there

It’s less than two hours’ drive from Melbourne. The scenic route we take goes past Sunbury, then along a splendid country road through Romsey and the magic, boulder-strewn landscape of Lancefield. Watch for kangaroos on the road!

Staying there

Go off-grid in style at Yellow Box Wood for glamping or try Mt Ida Eco Cabin for a couple’s weekend hideaway.

Eating there

French dishes at Chauncy — Award-winning French restaurant Chauncy.

At award-winning Chauncy , French chef Louis Naepels and sommelier wife Tess Murray have created a tiny, elegant pocket of rural France. Meticulously restored 1850s sandstone building, sun-drenched dining room, impeccable service, a menu suffused with local flavours and thoughtful wine pairings.

Fodder is both cafe and social hub. Chef Mo Pun and sister Lalita serve classic Aussie breakfast-to-lunch fare, though their Nepalese heritage sneaks through.

Playing there

Sanguine Estate ’s cellar door and terrace overlook bucolic vineyards. Its award-winning, dry-grown wines include the distinctive D’Orsa Blanc dessert wine, reflecting the family’s Swiss-Italian heritage. Order a charcuterie board and stay a while. Keep it carbon neutral by cycling some (or all) of the 50-kilometre O’Keefe Rail Trail to Bendigo.

At Bridgeward Grove , learn about the property’s Old Mission Grove heritage olive trees, do a sommelier olive oil tasting, and stock up on sustainably grown olives and oil. Explore the unique landscape, wildflowers and wildlife of pink cliffs geological reserve.

A totally indulgent hit list of mineral springs and spas in Daylesford