A Totally Indulgent Guide To Daylesford Mineral Springs & Spas

Daylesford and Hepburn Springs are renowned as Australia’s premier spa and mineral spring country. Come visit and indulge in the enriching effects of both natural mineral bathing and drinking the mineral elixir.

People travel from all over the globe to experience the many physical, mental and spiritual benefits of submerging oneself in mineral springs. Daylesford and Hepburn Springs reign supreme when it comes to destination spas that invigorate the soul and soothe the mood. Here’s a definitive list of the best in the region to retreat from the fray and soak (or sip) nature’s bounty all in.

Mineral springs in Daylesford and Hepburn Springs

It is a common misconception that Daylesford is home to natural hot springs; if you’re after a soak in a hot spring in the Daylesford region, skip ahead to the spas and bathing houses section to find out where you can soak in the manually heated mineral water. The mineral springs here are actually famed for their taste and many travel to pump mineral water to take home, all have unique mineral qualities that contribute to the overall taste. Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve is a veritable ‘hot spot’ of places to visit. The same goes for the watery wonders of Central Springs Reserve in Daylesford.

Lake Daylesford is surrounded by several mineral springs. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Central Springs Reserve – Lake Daylesford

Lake Daylesford is one of the easiest places to access some of the best mineral springs in all of Australia. Park your car here or take a short walk from the town centre and meander your way to these four delightful springs. We recommend bringing a picnic blanket and a few delicious takeaway snacks from the excellent cafes on the main street. Look out for wildlife on your way because you just might see an echidna, turtles, wallabies, and cute ducklings about.

Lake Daylesford is a short walk from the town centre.

Hard Hills Spring is a highly photogenic and physically beneficial spring in Daylesford. This deep piped trench features two outlets. It’s always a highlight for visitors exploring the Central Springs Reserve.

Wagga Spring is a sanctuary for natural bathing and is easily accessible by the addition of manmade steps. It’s easy to spot as you stroll along the sidewalk.

Sutton Spring was originally founded by miners (the sons of Thomas Sutton) who were sluicing for gold in the area. Subsequently, said miners inadvertently assisted in the creation of a limestone-lined trench that feeds the definitive ‘eye’ of the spring here.

Wombat Flat Spring is just a short walk from the centre of Daylesford. It’s nestled between the shady trees and grassy banks of the stunning lake. An excellent spot for a leisurely picnic lunch.

Jubilee Lake Mineral Spring

Jubilee Lake Mineral Spring is one of Daylesford’s most relaxing mineral springs. It’s a quick drive from town and is arguably much quieter than other more well-known spas in the area. There’s a kiosk here if you’re hungry après swim.

Jubilee Lake is one of Daylesford’s must-see attractions. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Glenlyon Mineral Spring

Glenlyon Mineral Spring is located adjacent to the scenic Glenlyon Recreation Reserve. It’s a divine place to picnic and/or BBQ while you enjoy sipping on the pure mineral spring. Fact: Glenlyon Mineral Spring features some of the highest levels of soluble salts in the area and is a rich source of calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium.

Woolnoughs Crossing Mineral Spring

Woolnoughs Crossing Mineral Spring now here’s a secluded haven that is ideal for rest and relaxation. Situated on scenic Kangaroo Creek the spring here is surrounded by decorative stonework and the water features a mineral combination of calcium, magnesium, and sodium.

Leitchs Creek Mineral Springs

Leitchs Creek Mineral Springs is a peaceful nook surrounded by enchanting forest scenes. Note: it’s only a short drive from here to spectacular Trentham Falls and some of the best wineries in the region like Passing Clouds.

Taradale Mineral Springs Reserve

The mineral spring pump at Taradale is a beautiful place to visit and drink the refreshing water whilst enjoying a picnic. It’s also close to the regal Taradale House Estate, a boutique property with luxe cottage-style accommodation.

Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve

Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve is the first to be found in the area, this place is great for enjoying nature walks and filling up your water bottle with the refreshing tonics from the series of springs here. Sip on samples from the following springs within the reserve; Soda, Sulphur, Liberty, Wyuna, Golden and Argyle and experience the benefits of consuming calcium, silica, magnesium and an abundance of other wonderful minerals. There’s also a fun kids’ playground and a neat picnic/BBQ area for visitor use. Remember to bring your own refillable water bottle along and stop by the famous Hepburn Springs Bathhouse which is located in this reserve.

Explore the many wonders of the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Spas and bathhouses

Daylesford and Hepburn Springs are the heart of spa country. It’s an alluring destination with a penchant for gourmet cafes and restaurants along with the ever-present benefits of the coal mineral springs. What a terrific combination and an excellent excuse (do you even need one?) to plan a Daylesford itinerary that features an indulgent visit to any of the following spas and bathhouses here.

The Spa at Lake House

Anyone who has been here will enthusiastically attest to how fantastic it is! The impeccable location, the variety of treatments and the opulent suites at the famed Lake House make it one the best destination spas in the country. Their heated hydrotherapy spa is set in a mystical, private location amid the willow trees.

back view of a woman on a treetop spa at Lake House Daylesford

Whisk yourself into a state of zen at The Spa in the Lake House. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Did you know that the mineral spring water in Daylesford is said to help boost circulation and help with the detoxification process? Well, you do now. The Spa at the Lake House is open to guests and visitors and all their signature rituals utilise the Lake House’s own small-batch luxury bath and body products, many of which harness natural ingredients from the region.

Pool at the Lake House with views of Lake

Bask in serenity at The Spa within the iconic Lake House in Daylesford. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Acqua Viva Day Spa

Offers exceptional service and a tempting spa menu that’s bound to impress. Book in for a blissful massage, mineral water spa soak, facial treatment, Vichy Shower Steam Bath and/or a mud wrap. It’s a popular day spa in Hepburn Springs with reasonably affordable treatments. A great central location near all of our favourite accommodation options.

Shizuka Ryokan Japanese Country Spa

Open to in-house guests and day trippers alike, the Shizuka Ryokan Japanese Country Spa is a tranquil space to enjoy a private Japanese bathing ritual, yoga class and/or a traditional shiatsu massage.

Their signature ‘geisha facial’ leaves your skin and spirit feeling refreshed and revitalised. Be sure to check out their tailored accommodation and spa packages before booking.

a person eating Japanese meal at Shizuka Ryokan Japanese Country Spa

Cap off your experience with an authentic Japanese meal.

The Mineral Spa

A restorative, highly acclaimed spa that boasts potent healing treatments that draw from natural earth elements. After something a little different? Night bathing in the ‘retreat area’, an indoor/outdoor mineral water therapy zone is a totally unique spa experience. All other spa packages (including a combination of mineral springs soaks and body treatments) are available seven days a week from 9am.

Note: the pools here are a balmy 380 degrees Celsius and there’s also a cool plunge pool to invigorate you, a basalt stone sauna, 11 treatment rooms and a dedicated steam room. The Mineral Spa is located within the grounds of the historic Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat in Hepburn Springs – one of the best luxury stays in the region.

Two women soaking in hot springs at Peppers Mineral Springs in Hepburn

Detoxify at Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat in Hepburn Springs. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa

A peaceful haven for people seeking wellness-themed treatment, a soak in the onsite mineral springs, a nutritious lunch, or all of the above.

The historic Hepburn Bathhouse draws mineral-rich water directly from nature’s source for guests to enjoy and the dedicated spa therapists are experts in deluxe body massages, facials, thermal mud rituals and more.

Travel Tip: enquire about the great range of Hepburn Springs spa packages before you visit.

the pool at Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, Daylesford

Soothe your tired muscles in the rejuvenating pool at Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Daylesford Day Spa

Destress your body, mind, and spirit via an indulgent treatment here. This award-winning venue offers an excellent range of Daylesford spa packages. The expert therapists are all about the ‘art of relaxation’ and you will be too after a treatment or two.

Slow the flow of modern-day life in Australia’s magical spa country with a stay at the new Hepburn Bathhouse.

Sunlight spills across a large wooden table lined with a curious collection of essences, extracts, and pastel-hued powders in glass jars, each with a handwritten label. I pause at each of the small brown bottles, drawing their pipettes to compare the heady scents. Meanwhile, a spa therapist assuming the role of fragrance sommelier explains the formula for a perfectly scented soak: an uplifting citrus top note, a relaxing floral middle note, and a grounding, rich and heavy base note. I squeeze drops of bergamot, lavender, and a dash of frankincense into my bowl, stirring them with a scattering of rose petals, some pink Himalayan rock salt, and a sprinkle of ashwagandha in a small pot with a wooden spoon: it’s all a little bit meditative, ASMR and aesthetically pleasing.

Custom ‘apothecary’ experience

Each guest who opts for a private ‘Alchemist Mineral Bath’ at Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa is invited to make their own custom concoction. As my bath is drawn, I laze in the adjacent sunken timber lounge, sipping on an organic, herbal house-made tea that features some of the very same botanicals as the essential oils on the table (calendula, licorice root and spearmint, to name a few). Snug in slippers and a white waffle robe, I unfurl one of the curled blankets across my lap as melodic spa music echoes, and succumb to the serenity that permeates the spa’s every corner.

Private mineral baths updated

This hands-on ‘apothecary’ experience is one of the newest additions to Australia’s oldest spa (est. 1895), which reopened in August 2025 after a multimillion-dollar facelift. The entire space has undergone a refresh, from new tiling and lighting to refurbished changing rooms. But chief among the updates are the private mineral baths themselves, five of which were overhauled by contestants from the 21st season of The Block, each offering a wholly different vibe. One is vibrant and uplifting, plastered with pink subway tiles; another is awash with slate and captures a meditative minimalism; while a third is a riot of patterns, decked in veined marble, chevron-tiled floors, and an embossed copper-look ceiling.

A woman bathes in the new Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa private bathing room with slate tiled walls

A soothing soak in the mineral waters of Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa. (Image: Supplied)

The therapeutic powers of mineral bathing

A 45-minute soak in a private bath might feel like an eternity of solitude in an age defined by overscheduling, digital addiction, restlessness and hustle culture, yet the time slips by surprisingly quickly and proves unexpectedly restorative. There’s a sudden rosy glow on my long anaemic-looking cheeks, a softness to my skin, and, just maybe, a slower pace to my thoughts. The therapeutic powers of mineral bathing have, of course, been lauded for centuries: even the ancient Greeks and Egyptians extolled the virtues of mineral bathing for its relaxation properties and supposed ability to treat ailments. The warm, spring-fed waters here at Hepburn Bathhouse are rich in magnesium, calcium, silica and sulphur, helping to ease muscle tension and support skin health. But there’s a mindfulness element too.

Communal bathing at Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa

The benefits of bathing have long been praised. (Image: Supplied)

In the main bathhouse, couples, friends, and mums and daughters all take to the waters, chatting, relaxing and generally enjoying each other’s company. Across history and cultures, bathhouses have acted as social hubs and anchors for local communities, and it feels profoundly refreshing to see people carve out time together, not a screen in sight; almost as if stepping into a time warp. Solo bathers find serenity here, too. Some resting their cheek on the pool’s edge and closing their eyes as their bodies float, others gazing straight out through the floor-to-ceiling windows to gorge on the abundant greenery beyond, and the occasional swamp wallaby.

From bathing to dining

With only a small cafe onsite, those coming to (rightly) make a weekend of it must venture beyond the bathhouse for dinner. Lucky then that noteworthy cafes and restaurants are in strong supply in Australia’s Spa Capital, with Lake House Restaurant, Bar Merenda and The Surly Goat among the region’s frontrunners. Few local restaurants promise a dining experience as mindful and holistically considered as Kadota, however.

A kaiseki-style restaurant, Kadota invites diners to slow down and savour each elaborately plated morsel by honouring seasonality and exalting the provenance of every ingredient, all with typical Japanese modesty. Come winter, that might mean a pair of small, sweet mousse-like ‘pies’ made of slippery jack mushrooms, white chocolate and pine nuts, and moulded to resemble pumpkins that sit atop a dried oak leaf. Or a fermented kohlrabi and chive sauce that’s poured by teapot, tableside, onto local brassicas — the dish brightened by a cluster of cured salmon roe pearls and butterflies fashioned from daikon. Equal thought and care has been showered upon the dining room, which is a talking point in itself: light shades crafted by a local artist to mimic a lotus root; a feature wall of Daylesford pinewood, blackened using the traditional Japanese wood preservation method of yaki-matsu; hand-scribed scrolls made by co-owner Risa Kadota’s grandfather; and lemon balm stalks strung up along the wall to air-dry for tea.

Like Hepburn Bathhouse, Kadota possesses a special kind of alchemy that’s greater than the sum of its parts, affording guests a deeper connection with the present. Somehow, even the drive from Melbourne to Hepburn feels like part of the experience, as if the spa’s founders dreamed it up that way. The city’s grit, grey and congestion gradually recedes in the rearview mirror, giving way to bucolic scenes and quiet roads: woolly sheep grazing on golden fields, gently rolling hills, winding roads flanked by forest, horses in paddocks, and family-run farmgate stalls. The drive itself becomes part of the ritual, nudging visitors into a more mindful state before they’ve even dipped their toes in the town’s magical waters.

A totally indulgent hit list of mineral springs and spas in Daylesford