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An indulgent hit list of mineral springs and spas in Daylesford

Credit: Visit Victoria

Jade Raykovski Jade Raykovski
Soak in hot spring water, sample the natural mineral water, or simply enjoy a blissful massage – you’re in spa country now.

Widely referred to as the spa region of Victoria, Daylesford and Hepburn Springs host over 80% of Australia’s natural mineral springs. And visiting them is arguably the best thing to do in the region.

The area’s spa culture developed throughout the gold rush era, thanks to European migrants who recognised the potential of the natural springs. These aren’t to be confused with hot springs, however. The mineral spring waters are cool and known for their unique tastes and mineral components. For a bathing experience, you’ll need to visit one of the area’s spas or bathhouses that manually heat the natural mineral water.

Whether you want to taste the famed mineral waters (don’t forget your water bottle) or experience their benefits through bathing, we’ve rounded up our top picks for spas and mineral springs in Daylesford and Hepburn Springs.

In Short

If you only visit one “hot spring" in Daylesford, make it the newly renovated Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa. Not only is it in a beautiful setting, but it’s also located in the Hepburn mineral springs reserve, so you can taste the waters after your spa visit.  

Spas & Bathhouses

The Spa at Lake House Daylesford

The Spa at the Lake House, Daylesford
Switch off and recharge at The Spa at Lake House. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

Lake House Daylesford is an icon of the spa region and a destination in itself. Established in 1984 on the edge of Lake Daylesford, the hotel is home to a dreamy day spa that celebrates the area’s healing mineral waters, using its own luxury bath range, Daylesford Pure, which contains many locally sourced ingredients.

With its luxurious setting and surrounding natural beauty, you’ll feel your shoulders drop on arrival. The indulgent spa menu features signature rituals the likes of Sweet Dreams, designed to help ease a busy brain, inclusive of a mineral polish, full body massage, herbal body balm and facial therapy.

The spa also offers hydrotherapy experiences like the Tree Top Soak: a private tub filled with heated Daylesford mineral water, overlooking Lake Daylesford through the willow trees. Pure bliss.

While it’s a splurge, this spa is a must for wellness lovers. Take a look at the packages on their website, and book ahead.

Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa

Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa, Daylesford
Whisk yourself into a state of Zen at Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

Established in 1895, Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa has a rich history and is recognised as Australia’s first formal bathhouse (the original bathhouse, now cafe, still showcases the original taps).

It underwent a stunning $1.7 million refurbishment in 2025, which was partly featured on Channel 9’s The Block. Come here to experience the healing mineral waters drawn directly from the source at the Bathhouse or Sanctuary bathing areas (there’s also private bathing available).

And once you’re here, why not add on a spa treatment? From body scrubs and wraps to facials, massages, and steam therapy, choose your own adventure or select a package for an indulgent day of relaxation. There’s also accommodation on site – check the website for packages, and for best value, consider a midweek stay. If you have mobility issues, there is some ramp access, but it’s best to enquire directly.

The Mineral Spa

a woman relaxing at The Mineral Spa, Hepburn Springs
Settle in for a quiet moment of relaxation. (Credit: @dylan.seaker)

This architecturally designed day spa is part of the 1930 Art Deco Mineral Springs Hotel in Hepburn Springs. With a focus on restoration, their bathing area – The Retreat – is a must do, featuring two 38°C mineral pools and a cooling plunge pool overlooking the gardens, plus saunas, a steam room and outdoor deck (unfortunately they don’t cater for those with special access needs). They also offer Social Hour on select days, where phones are permitted so you can capture that perfect shot for your socials.

Pair your visit with an indulgent spa treatment; the menu is packed with mineral rituals, massages, and facials. Afterwards, head to the hotel’s Argus Dining Room and Bar (because who knew relaxing could work up such an appetite?).

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Shizuka Ryokan Japanese Country Spa

a couple relaxing at Shizuka Ryokan Japanese Country Spa
Treat yourself to a traditional Japanese bath. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

For a Japanese-inspired wellness experience, there’s no need to book a flight – just visit the Shizuka Ryokan Japanese Country Spa . The ryokan offers a traditional Japanese inn experience, and this extends to its spa offering.

Don’t miss the tranquil bathing ritual in a private hinoki timber bath, filled with magnesium-rich water heated to 39-40°C (in true Japanese style, swimwear is not allowed for this private experience).

Treatments include shiatsu massages, reflexology, and a signature Geisha facial that uses sterilised nightingale droppings, which contain precious natural enzymes that smooth and lighten the skin (when in Rome, we say). While you’re here, book into the restaurant for authentic Japanese seasonal cuisine.

Sauk Head Spa

Opened in 2025, Sauk Head Spa is the region’s only head spa. Inspired by Japanese culture, this specialised scalp treatment combines scalp massage, deep cleansing, water therapy and aromatherapy to promote relaxation, strengthen hair follicles and remove buildup of oil and impurities.

Expect a calming ambience, a personalised assessment to kick off the treatment, and even before-and-after results through a scalp microscope.

Acqua Viva Day Spa

This charming day spa has been operating since 2000, and is known for its warm, friendly service and blissful spa treatments. Their packages combine massages and facials with mineral spa and steam baths, body scrubs and masques.

For some mother-daughter bonding, try their package for two: over three and a half hours, be treated to a relaxation massage, foot facial, facial and double mineral water spa bath.

Daylesford Day Spa

a relaxing massage at Daylesford Day Spa
Slip into relaxation mode. (Credit: Daylesford Day Spa)

The highly rated Daylesford Day Spa is located in a double-storey heritage building in the centre of town, perfect for popping into after brunch or before an afternoon drink.

They offer a range of therapeutic treatments that nurture the body and relax the mind – think classic and anti-ageing facials, a variety of massages, and packages such as Anti-Stress, Onsen & Shiatsu, and Mums to Be. Their facials and body treatments incorporate mostly natural and organic products, including Dr Babor, Jurlique and Ania Organics.

Nalini Retreat

The accommodation in Daylesford and its surrounds can be so gorgeous – think quaint cottages and charming bed and breakfasts – you may not want to leave. That’s where Nalini Retreat comes in.

They’re a local mobile wellness service specialising in bringing luxurious spa treatments directly to you. It’s a convenient option for retreats or a girl’s weekend, and their full range of services include massages, facials, body polish, ear candling and more.

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Mineral Springs

Central Springs Reserve – Lake Daylesford

The Central Springs Reserve is a great place to get a taste of the region’s mineral springs (pardon the pun), as there are three springs in the area.

Central Springs, Wagga Spring and Sutton Spring are all located along the Dry Diggings Track, which connects to Lake Daylesford next to the spillway (there’s also a car park off Fulcher St). The three hand pumps at Central Springs were installed in the late 1920s, however they now draw from a new 60-metre bore, opened in 2024. The area around it has been recently redeveloped with a BBQ, picnic area, accessible walkways and Indigenous artworks.

Sutton Spring was named after two brothers from Cornwall who discovered it during alluvial gold mining in the 1850s; Wagga Spring was believed to be discovered around the same time, although it didn’t appear on early 1900s tourist maps.

Wombat Flat – Lake Daylesford

Wombat Flat is also located near Lake Daylesford, but on the eastern side of the lake, right near the Peace Mile Loop Walk. It has a bore depth of 78m; you might have to pump a few times if the tap hasn’t been used for a while. Surrounded by trees and grassy areas, it makes for a pretty picnic spot, and can easily be added on to a visit to the Central Springs Reserve.

Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve

a person cupping their hands to collect water from tap
Soothe muscles in the mineral-rich water. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

This was Australia’s first mineral springs reserve, established in 1865. Many of the springs were discovered during the mining and gold rush period; while the springs weren’t a priority for the miners, Swiss Italian migrant Dr Rosetti and others recognised the significance of these springs, eventually leading to the creation of the reserve.

The reserve is also home to the Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, and Pavilion Café. After you wander the reserve’s scenic trails, sampling the different spring water from the pumps, head to the bathhouse to soak in the heated mineral-rich water, said to soothe muscle tension, revitalise the skin and promote vitality. The main paths in the reserve are generally accessible, however check the local visitor centre for specific information.

Jubilee Mineral Spring

Originally called ‘Soda’ spring, the Jubilee Mineral Spring is a short stroll from the Jubilee Lake car park, on the banks of Wombat Creek. It was discovered around 1900, and in 1929, a bore was drilled and fitted with a hand pump; this was replaced with a new bore in 2002. The water is said to be sweeter than Hepburn springs, with less chloride, sulphur and iron.

While you’re here, enjoy the 1.2-kilometre walk around the lake, or on a warm day, hire a kayak or paddle boat to explore the calm waters.

Sailors Falls Mineral Spring

Sailors Falls, Daylesford
Sailors Falls drops into a lush, fern-lined gully. (Credit: Visit Victoria)

This spring is located next to the 30-metre Sailors Falls, within the Hepburn Regional Park. The 1.5-kilometre Mineral Springs Loop Walk, starting from the picnic area, takes you to the spring and waterfall vantage points. This is the only spring that features an electric pump.

Tipperary Mineral Spring

Tipperary Mineral Spring is located in a beautiful natural setting near the banks of Sailors Creek. The spring was discovered in the 1850s, and in 2001, a new 51-metre bore with a hand pump was installed. It’s a peaceful place to linger; there are picnic tables and toilets, and two walking trails, one to Bryces Flat and one to Twin Bridges.

Jade Raykovski
Jade Raykovski is a freelance travel writer from Melbourne, Australia whose wanderlust began from immersing herself in the fantasy worlds of her favourite books as a kid. She started off her career as a graphic designer, before making the switch to copywriter, and now – in what you could say is the role she was always destined for – travel writer. Along with Australian Traveller, her bylines include National Geographic, BBC Travel, Escape and NZ Herald. And while she loves writing about home, she'll never pass up the chance to sip a spritz in Italy.
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From coast to bush: these are Gippsland’s best hikes

    Michael Turtle Michael Turtle
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    Video credit: Tourism Australia

    From coast to mountains, hiking in Gippsland offers a stunning array of landscapes, with trails that take you deep into the region’s heritage.

    I step out onto the sand and it cries out underfoot. Kweek! I take another step and there’s another little yelp. Screet! Picking up the pace, the sounds follow me like my shadow, all the way down to the water. It’s obvious how this spot got its name – Squeaky Beach – from the rounded grains of quartz that make the distinctive sounds under pressure.

    For many, Wilsons Promontory National Park is the gateway to Gippsland , and the best way to explore it is by walking its network of hiking trails, from coastal gems such as Squeaky Beach through to the bushland, among the wildlife. But it’s still just a taste of what you’ll find on foot in the region.

    Venture a bit further into Gippsland and you’ll discover the lakes, the rainforest, and the alpine peaks, each changing with the season and offering summer strolls or winter walks. Just like that squeaky sand, each step along these trails has something to tell you: perhaps a story about an ancient spirit or a pioneering search for fortune.

    The best coastal hikes in Gippsland

    sunset at Wilsons Promontory National Park
    Wilsons Promontory National Park is a sprawling wilderness with many coastal bushland trails. (Image: Mark Watson)

    Wilsons Promontory National Park (or ‘The Prom’, as you’ll end up calling it) is an easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, but you might ditch the car when you arrive, with much of the park’s 50,000 hectares accessible only by foot. From the inky water of Tidal River (dyed dark purple by abundant tea trees), I like the easy walks along the coast, among lichen-laden granite boulders, to golden beaches and bays.

    a couple on Mount Oberon
    Panoramic views from the summit of Mount Oberon. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

    The trail to the panoramic views at the summit of Mount Oberon is a bit harder, up steep timber and granite steps, but it’s a popular 6.8-kilometre return. The more remote hikes are found through the open banksia and stringybark woodland of the park’s north, or along the multi-day Southern Circuit , which ranges from about 35 to 52 kilometres, with sunrises and sunsets, kangaroos and cockatoos, and maybe even whales.

    a golden sand beach at Wilsons Promontory National Park
    Walk ‘The Prom’s’ golden sand beaches. (Image: Tourism Australia/Time Out Australia)

    You might also see whales on the George Bass Coastal Walk , even closer to Melbourne on the western edge of Gippsland. This dramatic seven-kilometre trail along the clifftops takes in sweeping views of the wild ocean, occasionally dipping down from grassy green hills to coastal gullies and a secluded beach. It also now links into the Bass Coast Rail Trail for an extra 14 kilometres.

    the George Bass Coastal Walk
    George Bass Coastal Walk trails for seven kilometres along clifftops. (Image: Visit Victoria/Time Out Australia)

    Over at the eastern edge of Gippsland, in Croajingolong National Park, you can wander along the lakeshores beneath koalas and around goannas (I keep my distance since one chased me here!). For those who are even more adventurous, the park is also the starting point for the 100-kilometre Wilderness Coast Walk , usually done over seven days.

    the Croajingolong National Park, Gippsland
    Wander along the lakeshores in Croajingolong National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    The best bush hikes in Gippsland

    the Baw Baw National Park
    The alpine heath of Baw Baw National Park. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

    Deep in the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine at Walhalla, mining guide Richard tells me how this small town in the mountains east of Melbourne boomed when prospectors found gold here in 1862. These days, you’ll find most of the town’s treasure – its heritage – above ground, with the Walhalla Tramline Walk a wonderful way to explore it.

    Just seven kilometres long, the walk takes you through decades of Gold Rush history, following the original rail trail from lush bushland to the mining sites, and through the charming village of just 20 residents with its wooden cottages and old shopfronts adorned with turn-of-the-century advertising posters. Blazing a trail where trailblazers once opened up the region, this is also the starting point for the 650-kilometre Australian Alps Walking Track.

    Nearby, Baw Baw National Park has walks through gnarled snow gums and alpine heaths that show off the colourful wildflowers in summer and the pristine carpet of white in winter. Several trails are perfect for snowshoes, including a 45-minute route from St Gwinear up to vast views across the Latrobe Valley.

    Further up into the mountains, the Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls Loop Walk is an easy 2.2-kilometre path that serenades you with the sound of flowing water as you pass mossy rocks and tree ferns en route to two sets of waterfalls cascading over boulders in the remote wilderness.

    The best cultural hikes in Gippsland

    the Mitchell River National Park, Gippsland
    Hike the Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

    Across a pool in a natural sandstone amphitheatre, deep within a cave behind a waterfall, it’s said the Nargun has its lair. A fierce creature, half human and half stone, that abducts children and can’t be harmed by boomerangs or spears, the story of the Nargun has been told around the campfires of the local Gunaikurnai people for generations.

    As a culturally significant place for women, hikers are asked not to go into the Den of Nargun, but a 3.4-kilometre loop walk leads you through a rainforest gully to the entrance where you can feel the powerful atmosphere here in Mitchell River National Park , along Victoria’s largest remaining wild and free-flowing waterway.

    the bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park
    Bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

    The Den of Nargun is part of the Bataluk Cultural Trail , a series of important traditional Gunaikurnai sites through central Gippsland. Another location is Victoria’s largest cave system, Buchan Caves Reserve, with trails to important archaeological sites of human artefacts up to 18,000 years old. The FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk includes the naturally sculpted white limestone steps of the 400-metre-long Federal Cave, while the Granite Pools Walk goes among tall timber and moss-covered gullies.

    the ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park
    The ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park. (Image: Josie Withers)

    Also important to the Gunaikurnai people is Tarra-Bulga National Park , known for its ancient myrtle beeches and enormous mountain ash trees. Just 40 minutes return, the Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk offers a taste of this verdant landscape, while the Grand Strzelecki Track takes you deep into the lost world of forest giants on an epic 100-kilometre trail rich with tradition.

    A traveller’s checklist

    Staying there

    the WildernessRetreats in The Prom
    Wilderness Retreats in The Prom. (Image: Christian Pearson)

    Wilderness Retreats in Wilsons Promontory offers glamping-style tents with luxurious queen beds. Star Hotel is a reconstruction of a Gold Rush-era hotel from 1863 in the heart of heritage Walhalla. Caves House is a historic three-bedroom house with views over the Buchan River.

    Eating there

    the Carrajung Estate, Gippsland
    Enjoy a post-hike lunch at Carrajung Estate. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

    Kilcunda General Store serves great coffee and meals of local produce at the George Bass Coastal Walk. Alpine Trout Farm is located near Toorongo Falls in Noojee. Fish for your own lunch and barbecue it with the provided cookware.

    Carrajung Estate is a short drive from Tarra-Bulga National Park. The winery’s restaurant offers a seasonal menu of regional ingredients and you can stay at The Lodge.

    a seafood feast at Carrajung Estate, Gippsland
    The table is set for a seafood feast at the estate.

    Video credit: Tourism Australia