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Our guide to every dreamy day spa in the Hunter Valley

Kristie Lau-Adams Kristie Lau-Adams
Cheese is certainly appetising but a day spa in the Hunter Valley serves as the ultimate pairing to top-shelf wine.

Romantic retreats, girls’ getaways or quality family time – no matter which getaway calls, the cherry on top is dedicated me-time at a Hunter Valley day spa. As an added incentive, each unique space is encircled with rolling vineyards to instantly soothe my frazzled brain ahead of wine o’clock revelry. From over-too-soon massages and hydrating treatments to wellness programs filled with spoils for the soul, I’ve collated the finest options to get you floating.

In short

If you only have time for one day spa in the Hunter Valley, make it Elysia Wellness Retreat for being the region’s most grand, and beautifully positioned, serenity source ever since the brand rebranded from the former Golden Door in 2019.

1. Elysia Wellness Retreat

the heated indoor pool at Elysia Wellness Retreat
Unwind in the heated indoor pool.

The jewel in the Hunter Valley’s self-care crown is Elysia Wellness Retreat , a magnificent property perched atop a dramatic hill that offers sweeping views of the region and gives serious James Bond villain-home vibes (drama replaced with overwhelming Zen, of course). All-inclusive two to seven-night programs are personalised to individual goals and filled with outdoor and indoor activities, seminars, and workshops with experts including nutritionists, naturopaths and psychologists. There’s also lavish daily meals packed with organic goodness and spa treatments (plenty more on the day spa itself just below). As for your digs, they come in the shape of one, two or three-bedroom suites with balconies, king beds and large bathtubs. Visitors should also note that while there’s a literal valley of grape crushing at Elysia’s doorstep, retreats do not serve alcohol.

Where: 165 Thompsons Rd, Pokolbin

Prices: From $1,510 per person for two nights

2. The Day Spa at Elysia Wellness Retreat

a facial treatment at Elysia Wellness Retreat day spa
Elysia Wellness Retreat promotes holistic treatments.

I can steal a taste of the luxe life without forking out for a multi-day package at Elysia Wellness Retreat’s Day Spa . Located at the centre of the property, this day spa in the Hunter Valley welcomes day trippers and tallies more than 50 unique treatments across 26 wet or dry rooms, making it an ideal option for the group of four I booked during a recent girls’ trip. It’s grand yet tranquil, and that’s despite the waiting area welcoming a steady stream of guests. Except a buffet of massage types, skin health consultations and facials, deeply hydrating body treatments, extravagant spa packages and grooming including waxing, plus an entire menu dedicated to restorative practices spanning breathwork, energy healing, tarot reading, hypnotherapy and wellness coaching. I especially love how beautiful Sodashi and Babor products are utilised so expertly, where relevant, and the staff are utterly professional every time.

Where: 165 Thompsons Rd, Pokolbin

Prices: View the spa menu

3. The Spa at Chateau Elan Hunter Valley

Chateau Elan Hunter Valley from above
De-stress with a view. (Image: Chateau Elan Hunter Valley)

Set against a Greg Norman-designed golf course, The Spa at Chateau Elan Hunter Valley is an extremely chic oasis I’ve also been solidly impressed with during several past trips. A collection of 17 treatment rooms house wellness wizardry in the way of relaxation and therapeutic massages, body exfoliations, facials (including the 80-minute De-Stress Organic Luxury Facial I was last treated to, which included divine scalp and limb massaging), an extensive range of packages, and grooming vitals like waxing, manis, pedis and spray tanning. Make time for the Hydrolounge and Deck area which is fitted with two outdoor mineral spas to detoxify you further. Product-wise, Australian-grown clean beauty label iKou is leant upon, while the staff are endlessly attentive, on hand to whip up cheese platters and glasses of bubbles if you’re feeling peckish.

Where: Vintage Dr, Pokolbin

Prices: View the spa menu

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4. Reflections Day Spa at Adina Vineyard and Olive Grove

Reflections Day Spa at Adina Vineyard and Olive Grove
Cap off your treatment with a cheese platter.

Lovedale’s beloved pit-stop for plump olives and tapenades, right off the Lovedale turnoff along the Hunter Expressway, is also home to an epic day spa in the Hunter Valley. Reflections Day Spa at Adina Vineyard and Olive Grove is an ultra-serene spot dotted with several al fresco spaces to help bring your glorious surroundings directly to your indulgence. Treatments are expertly performed, spanning four styles of massage starting at $129 for 50 minutes, dermablading, sumptuous facials, body polishes, body wraps and affordable add-ons like waxing and tints. Plus, there are platters with cheese and fruit so you can make an afternoon of it.

Where: Adina Vineyard and Olive Grove, 492 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale

Prices: View the spa menu

5. Ubika Day Spa at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley

Ubika Day Spa, Rydges Resort Hunter Valley
Rest and recharge in the sanctuary suite.

One of the most luxurious accommodation spots in the region – centrally located Wine Country Drive – is home to another heavenly day spa in the Hunter Valley. Ubika Day Spa at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley set me on the path to Zen from the moment I stepped through its doors. And while I visited solo, the space is especially perfect for couples. I was very jealous of guests being led to the swish Couples’ Suite fitted with a private spa bath that’s often lit up via candlelight. If you’re like me and travelling stag, however, never fear. Treatments span body rituals with fancy Vichy showers, facials, muscle-melting full-body massages starting at $160, and a range of add-on extras including head and scalp treatments and eye masks.

Where: 430 Wine Country Dr, Lovedale

Prices: View the spa menu

6. Spa Anise at Spicers Vineyards Estate

Spa Anise at Spicers Vineyards Estate
Relax and rejuvenate at Spa Anise. (Image: Spicers Retreats)

Sleek interiors inspired by nature bring the best of the outdoors into Spa Anise at Spicers Vineyards Estate . Located in the heart of one of the region’s most elegant boutique stays, Spicers Vineyards Estate, the day spa in the Hunter Valley is intimate while evoking exclusivity via just two treatment rooms that flow into private courtyards. It’s a magical spot to bring a small group as you’ll have the entire space to yourselves. Treatments utilise Australian-made products from Waterlily and Spaceuticals and include the standout Vino Therapy facial which works to kick start collagen and smooth fine lines as it leans into pure shiraz pressings. Could there be any more fitting a Hunter Valley day spa option? Massages and ‘Extra Spice’ add-ons are also encouraged to indulge every limb.

Where: 555 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin

Prices: View the spa menu

7. Heavenly Hunter Massage & Wellbeing

a massage treatment at Heavenly Hunter Massage & Wellbeing
Heavenly Hunter treatments and meditation sessions are guaranteed to help you relax.

Nailed your cellar door call sheet and desperate to hibernate already? I feel you. It’s why I must point out the region’s best mobile massage services which start with Heavenly Hunter Massage & Wellbeing . Specialising in the art of Hawaiian massage with a Bodyworks qualification under her belt, owner Amanda Drew leads a team built to facilitate deep in-house R&R. Amanda is also a Reiki Master and qualified in nutrition coaching, so services are designed to be holistic as they melt you. Treatments include a wide range of massages, facials, healing therapies and yoga.

Where: It travels to accommodation within Pokolbin, Broke, Lovedale, Mount View, North Rothbury, Wollombi and surrounding suburbs.

Prices: View the website for comprehensive pricing

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8. Thai Nature Mobile Massage

Another popular pick in the local mobile massage game is Thai Nature Mobile Massage , which operates out of two Cessnock locations in addition to travelling to your Hunter Valley accommodation. If you’re heading to their brick-and-mortar operations, choose from a stack of massages: hot stone, deep tissue, Thai, remedial… you name it, they’ll nail it. There are also packages that bundle several options up and one of those trendy Japanese head spas. The same options are available if you’re ordering in, like I have in the past, as most services (sans the head spa) can be replicated via mobile massage beds. My tip? Make sure you enquire with plenty of notice as these guys are busy.

Where: 40 Cumberland St, Cessnock and 81 Vincent St, Cessnock, and the team travel right across the Hunter Valley

Prices: Visit the website for all pricing

9. Nu Leaf Retreat

a couple's massage at Nu Leaf Retreat, Pokolbin
Nu Leaf Retreat offers relaxing treatments for couples looking to decompress together.

Consider Nu Leaf Retreat a blank canvas to help you craft the wellness retreat of your dreams. Located in the thick of Hunter Valley’s action on Hermitage Road, the picturesque slice of nature caters to groups of up to 24 people. You can BYO experts – chefs (or food), therapists and coaches – but Nu Leaf can also connect you with local wellness and beauty professionals to help facilitate your experience. Ten rooms feature private patios and ensuite bathrooms, plus there’s a communal lounge, an undercover entertaining area with a barbecue, a magnesium pool, spa and steam room and an outdoor pool.

Where: 647 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin

Prices: Visit the website for comprehensive pricing

10. Miliya

pilates with Elizabeth at Miliya
Strengthen your core with a trained Pilates practitioner. (Image: Miliya)

Another choose-your-own-adventure day spa in the Hunter Valley, Miliya hosts wellness retreats that pack in self-care indulgences and also open the space to guests who are keen to craft their own itineraries. It’s decked out with everything a private group may need including a hot yoga studio with 18 mats and all the gear, a reformer Pilates studio with eight machines, a gym, an ice bath, two treatment rooms with massage tables, an infrared sauna and all the technology to hook up your beats and tutorials. Additionally, the fit out is Instagram-awesome as soft drapes let natural light flood in, and minimalistic styling makes for perfect mirror selfies from every angle.

Where: 283 Wilderness Rd, Lovedale

Prices: Enquire through the website

Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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Your guide to what’s new and exciting this summer on the Central Coast

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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    From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

    Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

    Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

    1. Gosford’s glow up

    room at voco gosford
    Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

    Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

    Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

    Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

    Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

    2. Newcomers to the dining scene

    table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal
    Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

    The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

    Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

    Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

    Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

    3. New Central Coast experiences

    winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery
    Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

    It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

    Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

    Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

    For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

    4. Central Coast accommodation

    view from a cottage at Noonaweena
    Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

    There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

    Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

    In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

    To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

    5. Shopping on the Central Coast

    Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast
    Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

    For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

    Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

    Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

    Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

    For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

    Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .