Australia is not the first place one would think of for natural thermal springs - that moniker tends to go more toward New Zealand, its Trans-Tasman cousin. But surprisingly, Australia has thermal springs in each of its states and territories. Victoria is home to one of the newest and most rapidly expanding sites: the Peninsula Hot Springs.
Relaxing Hot Springs
Peninsula Hot Springs offers a variety of thermal bathing experiences. The hot pools vary in temperature from 36 to 43 degrees Celsius (97 to 109 degrees Fahrenheit). There is also a cold plunge pool available in summer time.
The hot pools vary in size and shape. Nearest the change facilities is a large, deep exercise pool. A second pool is attached which contains both standing and sitting room, along with a row of spa jets. Nearby is one large pool with plenty of space for sitting. There is also a decent-sized shallow entry pool, along with mini-rock pools for kids. Further along a path toward the back of the facility is the adults only section, which contains several additional hot pools. Most of these pools are smaller and comfortably fit only six to 10 people.
Something More Private
For those wanting a more private experience, Peninsula Hot Springs offers the Spa Dreaming Centre, which restricts the number of bathers and doesn’t allow children, in order to make the atmosphere more peaceful. Private baths are available for hire inside the centre: indoor baths can fit two people, while the private outdoor baths can fit up to five.
There is also a spa centre on the premises which offers a variety of treatments including massage, facials, hand and foot soaks, salt exfoliations and more. Spa packages can be combined with either public or private hot pool bathing. The spa also offers special packages for expecting and new mothers. An extensive spa menu, including prices for the Spa Dreaming Centre, is available on the website.
Why Hot Springs?
The easiest answer is that hot spring bathing is calming and relaxing. Sitting in the thermal pools is like full emersion in a relaxing hot bathtub, while wearing swimsuits (and with other people around).
But there is more to it than just relaxation. There is actually a science to mineral bathing. Balneology, or the therapeutic use of baths and natural mineral waters, has been around for thousands of years and is widely recognized in places like Japan, Turkey, Bulgaria, Hungary and the Middle East. Natural thermal waters are said to heal everything from skin diseases, rheumatism and muscle aches to infertility and asthma.
The water at Peninsula Hot Springs is considered to be a Sodium Cholride Bicarbonate Spring. Its source is an aquifer more than 600 meters below the ground. Naturally occurring minerals in the spring include sulphur, potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium and more.
But even for people without medical complaints, the mineral baths are equally relaxing and soothing. Some local residents pop in for a bathe before work, while others take advantage of twilight pricing to have an unwinding soak on the way home from work. The hot springs are becoming increasingly popular with visitors from Melbourne and overseas, too.
The number of bathers is limited to 70 at one time. It is generally the most crowded on Friday and Saturday nights. Currently, the springs are a bit of a hidden gem, but it is easy to see how they will soon become very popular and crowded. Luckily, Peninsula Hot Springs is expanding. They are currently building a Turkish Hamam, reflexology walk, moon viewing pools, and more: a total of 35 new experiences. Future development will also include accommodation and a wellness center.
More Details
Currently, the Peninsula Hot Springs is open daily from 7:30am to 10pm. As of January 2010, the prices for public baths are as follows: entry for adults is $25 on Tuesdays through Thursdays, and $30 on Fridays through Mondays. Children under 15 get a $10 discount, and children from one month to four years are charged $10 at all times. A $10 discount off the adult price is given to early bathers who vacate the premises by 10am and to twilight bathers, who enter after 7pm.
Separate shower and change facilities are available for males and females, and family change rooms are also available. Lockers can be hired for $2, and there are also cubby holes near the pools for people to leave shoes, towels and water bottles.
Peninsula Hot Springs is located just near Rye, on the Mornington Peninsula. It is easy to find using any tourist map. Directions and more information can be found on their website. Also visit the website of Mornington Peninsula Tourism for additional information about the Peninsula, including an accommodation booking tool and comprehensive destination guide.
Mandy Morrissey - As a lover of words and travel, Mandy worked for eight years in the travel industry as both a travel advisor and branch manager for a ...
