Long celebrated as Australia’s spa capital, Daylesford is a town where wellness and creativity intertwine. Dozens of mineral springs feed bathhouses, from historic pump rooms to sleek modern sanctuaries, while boutique galleries, antique shops, and cafés fill its leafy streets. Lake Daylesford offers a serene walking loop, and the surrounding hills brim with lavender farms and kitchen gardens. Evenings bring a slow rhythm — seasonal dining, fireside wines, and perhaps a twilight soak under the stars. Daylesford is less a visit than a ritual of renewal.

The mineral heart of Victoria, Hepburn has been a spa retreat since the 19th century. Springs bubble across the landscape, feeding bathhouses, hydrotherapy pools, and historic pump houses where locals still fill bottles to take home. Elegant guesthouses and wellness resorts carry on the tradition, pairing mineral soaks with massage and mud treatments. Surrounding bushland invites gentle walks among eucalyptus and mineral reserves, while cafés and galleries add a creative flair. Hepburn is a place where water, health, and heritage flow together.

An hour from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula feels worlds away: rolling vineyards, olive groves, and hot springs overlooking gentle bays. Bathing here ranges from open-air thermal pools carved into the hillsides to private wellness pavilions offering clay rituals and sea-breeze saunas. The coastline shifts from family-friendly beaches to surf breaks and wild headlands, while inland you’ll find cellar doors pouring cool-climate wines. With its blend of indulgence and nature, the peninsula is Melbourne’s favourite escape for both spa-goers and gourmands.