Nothing rejuvenates the soul like a day or stay at a tranquil bathhouse, and Victoria has a new one for you to add to the list.
When thinking of bathhouses in Australia, Victoria certainly comes to mind as a connoisseur of some of the best; think Mornington Peninsula (and the new accommodation at Peninsula Hot Springs). And the good news is there’s a brand-new destination to add to your list.
Find peace in this seaside town.
About Time Bathhouse has levelled up the wellness offerings in Torquay, a seaside town at the eastern end of the Great Ocean Road coastal drive (as if the bathhouse alone wasn’t idyllic enough). The brainchild of two cult wellness services – Little Company and STILL Beauty – the idea of About Time began in 2020. But it wasn’t until Torquay local and Carlton footballer, Ed Curnow, became involved that the whole thing took shape.
Fast forward to December 2024, and the brutalist, architecturally designed space became the first bathhouse of its kind on the Surf Coast and Greater Geelong Region.
Relax in hot or cold spaces.
Created to redefine the bathing experience with a modern retreat that blends indulgence and rejuvenation, About Time sits on 1000 square metres of land. Find indoor and outdoor hot magnesium pools for reducing muscle pain and inflammation, invigorating cold plunges and ice baths to improve circulation, and a full suite of saunas. Whether you prefer a traditional, steam or infrared sauna, you’ll find an option here.
Either take a dip in the social bathing area or upgrade to the bathhouses’ secluded space, exclusively designed for private gatherings of two to eight people.
Choose your favourite sauna.
If, like me, your bathhouse experience can only be improved by a soothing massage, then be sure to peruse the list of signature massage treatments and bespoke holistic skin therapies. The list has been curated from treatments that have long been loved by clients of Little Company and Still Beauty. Eight treatment rooms stand ready for guests, as well as a wet room for body scrubs and muds.
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
We round up the luxe, the lovely and the latest places to stay in regional Victoria.
1. Hotel Ernest, Bendigo
The elegantly styled Hotel Ernest oozes heritage charm.
Settle into this artful lodging in the city centre for a boutique stay with heritage roots dating back to 1864. Each of the 10 suites in this former bank is elegantly styled and furnished with covetable works by Australian artists. Ernest is also home to the much-lauded Euro-style Restaurant Terrae, so be sure to book into the two-level diner during your visit.
2. Norsu Cabin, Macedon
Settle into this Scandi-inspired abode. (Image: Nick Skinner)
Country cabin dreams come to life under the sweet timber A-frame of Norsu . Sleeping eight guests, this Scandi-inspired abode is so meticulously styled it’s received knowing nods from The Design Files and is everything a modern log cabin should be, including cosy fireplace, fire pit, modern appliances and French linens. Perfect for logging out of daily life for a moment.
3. Islay House, Woodend
Bed down at the gorgeously restored heritage Islay House. (Image: Tiffany Warner)
Lean all the way into a country luxe state-of-mind with a stay at the gorgeously restored heritage Islay House . This bed and breakfast sleeps up to nine guests and is just a short walk from town, but you’ll want to spend most of your time curled up fireside in the elegantly styled rooms as you admire the collection of antiques.
4. Nerissa Rye, Mornington Peninsula
Indulge in barefoot luxe at Nerissa Rye. (Image: Eve Wilson)
This Rye beach pad is just a 10-minute walk from 16th Beach, and while a morning walk is lovely, returning to the barefoot luxe vibes of this four-bedroom escape is just as enlivening. Bright, open and welcoming, this is the place to settle in for endless cups of tea and a good book between beach jaunts.
5. Hotel Vera, Ballarat
Modern meets bygone elegance.
This Ballarat beauty set in a 1900s mansion is all bygone elegance edged with modern style. Just seven boutique suites, each with its own distinct personality, makes it a singularly luxe stay. Sister to Bendigo’s Hotel Ernest, Vera is similarly bequeathed with a stand-out fine diner, Babae, which plates up the best of the region’s produce.
6. Hotel Sorrento, Port Philip Bay
The Amalfi-style beachside Hotel Sorrento at Port Philip Bay.
The historic and iconic clifftop Hotel Sorrento at Port Philip Bay is mid-refurb and will reopen 1 December 2025, just in time for Amalfi-style beachside stays.
7. The Idle Lake House, Lakes Entrance
Soak up lakeside serenity. (Image: Kate Enno Photography)
Enjoy a ripple of serenity when you step aboard this water-top abode on the Gippsland Lakes. Once a Chinese restaurant, this spacious and stylish two-bedroom stay offers unbroken gazing of the shimmering surface in a beautifully private bay. Lounge on the deck and enjoy the onboard bathhouse; come evening, sit by the sleek suspended fireplace.
8. The Monty, Anglesea
Bed down at the vintage motel, The Monty.
Palm Springs makes an entrance on the Great Ocean Road with the opening of The Monty in October 2025. Its vintage motel meets modern muse at this playful boutique stay complete with pool and a vibrant Mexican cantina. You’re just a stroll from the beach here, which tells us it’s ripe for summer vacays this season.
9. Trentham Waters Resort, Mildura
The bright and retro-style bedroom at Trentham Waters Resort.
Another new property lands in regional Victoria in time for an endless summer with Trentham Waters Resort expected to open by February 2026. Breezy, subtly retro and brightened by the big Mallee sky, this river’s-edge escape is perfect for settling in for a spell with one-, two- and three-bedroom villas. There’s a lagoon-style pool, riverside hot tubs and onsite dining for all your relaxation requirements.
10. Crowne Plaza, Geelong
Sink a cold one at the Trattoria Bar.
Geelong is getting its own Crowne Plaza in 2026. Its arrival on the waterfront will make it the city’s largest (and newest) hotel with 200 contemporary rooms and suites, a Skybar, all-day dining, indoor pool and gym, and event spaces. Keep it on your radar.
11. Re’em, Yarra Valley
Sip and soak in tranquillity.
With verdant Yarra Valley views that take in the linear beauty of tended grapevines, the 16 suites and rooms at Re’em are set amid the Helen & Joey Estate and invite sipping and sitting in tranquillity. The onsite restaurant deftly balances Chinese and Australian flavours and if you’re staying over the weekend, be tempted out of your stylish room for yum cha that features delicate handmade dumplings and vineyard vistas.
12. Arapiles Clubhouse and Crash Pad, Grampians
Spend an overnight stay in the Natimuk stone house. (Image: Bianca Jackson)
These 1880-era mountain-adjacent digs have been tenderly restored to provide rock climbers and Grampians country wanderers a chic place to rest. You’ll find four bedrooms in the Natimuk stone house, as well as a heated pool out the back and plenty of luxe embellishments. There’s also a two-person ‘Crash Pad’ in the confines of the Clubhouse with its own separate entrance.
The Crash Pad offers a resting place for rock climbers and Grampians country wanderers. (Image: Bianca Jackson)
