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The dark sky stay with incredible stargazing an hour from Melbourne

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
At this luxurious Yarra Valley retreat, the stars align for the ultimate celestial experience.

By day, Kangaroo Ridge Retreat in Victoria is all relaxed vibes and resplendent views. But come nightfall, it’s now a private gateway to the cosmos. Partnering up with Yarra Valley Stargazing, the secluded escape has launched an exclusive astronomy experience, transforming its perch among the mountains into the ultimate dark-sky destination.

The accommodation

Kangaroo Ridge Retreat exterior
A private, design-led cabin retreat made for wanderers. (Image: Gunvor Jakobsen)

Just over an hour outside of Melbourne, Kangaroo Ridge Retreat is an exclusive, adults-only property sitting on 20 hectares of pristine farmland. With just two self-contained cabins in the charming regional town of Healesville, it’s the perfect getaway for those seeking seclusion and stillness.

Kangaroo Ridge Retreat interior
Floor-to-ceiling windows reveal magnificent valley views. (Image: Dominey Flores)

Sitting just above the cloud line, Kangaroo Ridge Retreat reads like a love letter to its natural surrounds, with sweeping views of the Great Dividing Range. Each luxurious cabin features a queen-sized bed, indoor fireplace, spa bath, wine bar, vinyl player and east-facing balcony. You’ll also be treated to board games, bath robes and your own set of cosy pyjamas.

larder at Kangaroo Ridge Retreat
Enjoy a complimentary larder stocked with local gourmet treats. (Image: Gunvor Jakobsen)

But guests won’t be spending all their time lazing around the fireplace with a good book, although that’s definitely part of it. A stay here goes beyond simply switching off, with a curated range of inclusions that fuse indulgence with self-care. From an in-cabin larder filled with local produce to DIY spa treatments using complimentary products – you’ll leave feeling deeply restored and utterly spoiled. Additional extras include sunset yoga sessions, couples’ massages and a private chef.

The experience

stargazing at Kangaroo Ridge Retreat
Stargazing enthusiasts will revel in sights of the night sky. (Image: Kangaroo Ridge Retreat)

If the accommodation hasn’t already convinced you to stay, its new stargazing experience will. Kangaroo Ridge Retreat has officially joined the country’s line-up of private stargazing cabins like Starscape in NSW’s Abercrombie River region. Its high-altitude location, combined with low light pollution, results in Class 5 conditions on the Bortle Scale.

Created by amateur astronomer John E. Bortle in 2001, the nine-level numeric model measures night-sky brightness by the observability of celestial objects and light pollution interference. Class 5 conditions indicate darkness levels are suitable for deep-space observation – placing the stay among some of the best stargazing spots in Australia.

Kangaroo Ridge Retreat is taking full advantage of this, teaming up with Yarra Valley Stargazing to deliver exclusive celestial sessions. Led by an expert guide, the 90-minute experience allows guests to observe deep-sky nebulae, ancient star clusters and even the Aurora Australis using a high-powered telescope and laser guidance.

Guests can book their stay around the year’s cosmic calendar, timing visits with celestial events like the Eta Aquariids meteor shower in May and the Perseids in July. Can’t line it up? Conditions still promise views of the Milky Way and iconic constellations like the Southern Cross and Orion the Hunter year-round.

“Usually, stargazing involves a late-night drive to a remote lookout. Here, we’ll have you back in your robe with a glass of local pinot in hand within minutes. It’s dark-sky luxury without the travel," says Kangaroo Ridge Retreat owner, Rebecca Ritte.

Kangaroo Ridge Retreat stargazing
Plan your celestial retreat around key cosmic dates this year. (Image: Kangaroo Ridge Retreat)

But that’s not all – the launch coincides with a rare planetary window. Jupiter is currently at opposition (when Earth passes directly between Jupiter and the sun), meaning it is exceptionally bright and visible. With a magnitude of –2.7, the planet reigns as the brightest object in the night sky right now, apart from the moon.

Saturn is also having a moment this year with a rare ring-plane crossing. The phenomenon occurs every 13–15 years when Earth passes through (or close to) the plane of Saturn’s rings, causing them to seemingly disappear from view. After 2026, it won’t happen again until around 2039.

“We are currently in a solar system sweet spot, not only is Jupiter at its biggest and brightest, but we are witnessing Saturn in a way most people never see it," says stargazing guide, Jessie. “Kangaroo Ridge Retreat’s 360-degree horizon gives us a front-row seat to see rare celestial events like this."

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The details

The new stargazing experience is now open for bookings, available exclusively to guests of Kangaroo Ridge Retreat as an optional add-on. Accommodation rates vary depending on dates and length of stay. All reservations can be made via the Kangaroo Ridge Retreat website.

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Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
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Incredible day spas and hot springs to visit in Victoria

    Katie Carlin Katie Carlin
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    From geothermal pools and luxury spa sanctuaries, Victoria’s mineral-rich waters and restorative landscapes offer total renewal.

    I pass waving coastal spear-grass and coast saltbush as I follow the curving path through 15 hectares of thoughtfully curated gardens at the Mornington Peninsula’s Alba Thermal Springs & Spa. I hang my robe at the entrance and slip into the first sunken geothermal pool I find – feeling the tension from the 90-minute drive from Melbourne melt away as I watch steam dance across the surface in the late afternoon light. There are 31 pools, a mix of geothermal, cold plunge and botanical, that range in temperature and design, spread over six regions.

    a woman relaxing at Alba Thermal Springs & Spa on the Mornington Peninsula
    Alba Thermal Springs & Spa on the Mornington Peninsula. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    I gravitate toward The Hemisphere, with its dry sauna, steam room, cold plunge and dreamy open-air pool called The Hide. But it’s Alba’s brand-new Sanctuary that really elevates the experience. The five luxurious stand-alone villas and two additional studio rooms opened in June 2025 and feature an indoor fireplace, oversized bathtub with views across the bay, a deck and extensive all-inclusive (minus the cocktails) mini-bar.

    After dining at Alba’s Thyme restaurant, I return to my villa, content to fall asleep early listening to the fire crackle, feeling thoroughly restored. While Alba is one of the newest in the region, it’s certainly not the only place to enjoy a soothing soak. Here are others to book for a wellness weekend.

    Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa

    A woman bathes in the new Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa private bathing room with marble tiled walls
    The marble private bathing room is one of five new designs. (Image: Supplied)

    Nestled in the Daylesford region, Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa has been welcoming guests to its historic bathhouse for 130 years. With a $1.7 million renovation now complete (part of the 21st season of Channel 9’s The Block), find five new private bathing rooms, an apothecary experience where guests blend a custom body scrub and all-new spa treatment menu.

    There are three bathing areas: Bathhouse for communal bathing for all ages, adults-only Sanctuary and a private bathing space for a personalised experience – try the skin-softening Mineral Milk Bath.

    Lake House Daylesford

    the pool at Lake House Daylesford
    The main pool at Lake House Daylesford. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Inciting deep exhales, the spa at Alla Wolf-Tasker’s iconic Lake House has long been a beacon of wellness in the region. Tucked into the cottage gardens that wind down to the lake’s edge, the spa is beautifully and deliberately cloistered away from guests and diners visiting the celebrated on-site restaurant.

    From Ayurvedic facials and hydrotherapy that makes use of Daylesford’s mineral waters, to cocooning thermal rituals and massage, treatments here promote tranquillity. While a day spa experience is delightful on its own, staying on the property adds a luxe layer to your corporeal renewal, especially if you’re in your own private spa villa.

    Metung Hot Springs

    the Metung Hot Springs' glamping tents by the river
    Glamping tents at Metung Hot Springs. (Image: Emily Godfrey)

    Imagine immersing yourself in a barrel overflowing with geothermal water, all while taking in views of Gippsland Lakes. It’s one of several unique bathing experiences available at Metung Hot Springs.

    There’s also a floating sauna and a Reflexology Walk constructed with carefully placed stones designed to stimulate the acupressure points in your feet as you walk. The 12-hectare site opened in 2022 with three bathing areas – Bathing Ridge, Lagoon Precinct and Hilltop Escarpment – and premium glamping tents that feature king-size beds and private bathing barrels.

    Four more blissful day spas to visit

    Lon Retreat & Spa is an award-winning, adults-only retreat on the Bellarine Peninsula.

    Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs features sensory caves and cleansing waterfalls in Warrnambool.

    Peninsula Hot Springs renews with 70 bathing and wellness experiences.

    The Benev is an indulgent spa and luxury accommodation in Beechworth.

    the Peninsula Hot Springs
    Bathe in beautiful surroundings at Peninsula Hot Springs. (Image: Tourism Australia/Harry Pope/Two Palms)