We know that the spa treatments and holistic therapies are a huge highlight of our Bali retreat! Back home in the ‘real world,’ it can be more challenging to find the time and opportunity to treat yourself to a special spa day. Of course, the benefits of spa treatments go far beyond just their feel-good factor. So making time to pamper yourself on a regular basis is a good investment in your wellbeing. Whether you find yourself in a big city or on a tropical island, Australia’s indulgent spas are known for their variety of treatments and excellent quality. Whether you’re looking to squeeze in a luxurious massage post-work, or escape for a day of real tropical indulgence in nature, explore some of the country’s best day spas and experiences below.
Gaia Byron Bay, NSW
Gaia Retreat & Spa is nestled on 25 acres in the breathtaking hinterland of Byron Bay – a location that offers endless spectacular vistas and unsurpassed natural, sustainable design.
Choose from a wide range of holistic specialised treatments and be pampered in absolute private luxury by an exceptional team of wellness professionals. The spa menu caters to unique needs with packages that focus on Ayurveda, detoxification, pregnancy, serenity, beauty and packages catered to the needs of both men and women. Their special Dreamtime Travel package invites you straight into the heart of native Australia with a pumice stone and wattleseed body polish, Australian desert yellow clay body masque and a macadamia oil full body relaxation massage. Gaia is a place to refocus, rebalance and truly restore.
ISIKA Spa at Crown Metropol Melbourne, Victoria
The Crown ISIKA spa offers exquisite panoramic views of the Melbourne skyline from 27 floors up. Take it all in while sipping a detoxifying tea as you settle in for your spa experience. It can be a little hard to believe that inside the luxury behemoth of Crown Towers lies an unexpectedly calm oasis. The spa comes complete with chakra-balancing massages, a high-rise pool, gym and sauna, and even a hair and beauty salon. For the ultimate day spa experience, immerse yourself in the private spa, steam room and Swiss shower before your spa treatment begins. Lunch can be added to your package and full access is also available to the lavish Aqua Retreat facilities including vitality pool, steam room, private lounge area and lap pool. The Crown ISIKA Spa is the perfect escape for a moment of pure, unbridled luxury. The expert team are dedicated to working closely with you to understand your unique needs and to ensure you leave you feeling deeply contented, renewed, and completely nourished in body, mind and spirit.
Qualia, Hamilton Island, Queensland
There may be no better location for a day spa than on the secluded northern tip of Hamilton Island surrounded by all the splendour of the Great Barrier Reef. This is where you will find Qualia- a luxury spa that specialises in what they refer to as ‘signature ceremonies.’ Their White Haven ceremony is 3 hours long and includes a calming silk caress followed by a sea mineral salt exfoliation, crushed pearl and kelp body mud mask, ocean dreaming massage and a marine facial, all with the idyllic calming backdrop of eucalypts and the Coral Sea. The spa menu is a true testament to the meaning of qualia – ‘a collection of deeper sensory experiences’. The spa treatments are thoughtfully designed to rebalance the synergy between mind and body and to capture the essence of Australia and the Great Barrier Reef. While this one may not be on your doorstep or possible to nick to in between work meetings, if a destination day spa in on your radar, this one won’t disappoint.
Chi Spa at Shangri-La, Sydney
The famous Shangri-La Hotel at Circular Quay is home to the remarkable Chi Spa, which specialises in authentic Asian natural healing. The spa has won a host of awards including Best Luxury Hotel Spa at the World Luxury Spa Awards. While massages and treatments are based on traditional wellness practices shared by many Asian cultures, CHI, The Spa, also features treatments highlighting Australian healing techniques and botanical ingredients indigenous to the region. One of their most unique and popular treatments is the Sodashi Healing Chakra Treatment which utilises chakra crystals and oils. The 90-minute re-balancing treatment promises not only deep relaxation, but also an unexpected spiritual and emotional reawakening. Chi offers a full range of services, ranging from a 30-minute stop and relax facial to the three-hour restoring ‘journey’, which includes a whole-body exfoliation, a body wrap and a facial. The perfect escape from the city buzz.
Injidup Spa Retreat, Margaret River
Set amongst melaleuca trees and perched on a cliff top on the edge of a national park, this spa specialises in personally tailored treatments with a holistic, natural and organic treatment spa menu. This exquisite restorative sanctuary set in pristine coastline surrounds invites you to step inside and go on a journey of complete relaxation and renewal. The three-hour Revive package offers a series of therapeutic treatments including an invigorating sea salt body exfoliation, 90-minute massage of your choice, a green-clay body mask and a detox bath with a purifying blend of juniper berry, cypress, lemon and grapefruit essential oils. One of the more unique spa treatments is the Li’Tya Marta Kodo Rock Massage, which uses ancient primordial stones from north Western Australia in the treatment. The rhythmic body massage is inspired by traditional Aboriginal techniques which tones and re-aligns your energy flow, using pressure points and spiralling movements. An experience to remember.
The Day Spa At The Langham, Sydney
The Day Spa at The Langham in Sydney is just as impressive as every aspect of this stunning hotel. Detox, renew, relax and rejuvenate is the spas motto, and it offers a full range of luxurious treatments designed to whisk you away to a place of tranquil paradise. Healing holistic therapies that treat the mind as well as the body are performed by highly qualified therapists using signature spa products. The lavish day spa menu also offers unique packages such as their ‘Champagne and Gold Indulgence.’ This includes a 60-minute champagne pear massage, a 90-minute skin lifting facial, a 75-minute deluxe manicure & pedicure and lunch including a glass of champagne. You also have the option to ‘build your own package’ from the extensive menu on offer. Take time out at this serene underground spa sanctuary that must be experienced to be believed.
Peninsula Hot Springs, Victoria.
Peninsula Hot Springs is an award-winning natural hot springs and day spa destination on the
Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. Natural thermal mineral waters flow into the pools and private baths at this gorgeous beach-side oasis, providing an idyllic setting for relaxation and rejuvenation. Experience over 50 globally-inspired bathing experiences including the cave pool, reflexology walk, Turkish steam bath (Hamam), sauna, cold plunge pools, massaging thermal mineral showers and the hilltop pool, with 360-degree views of the region. The spa offers signature spa treatments and balancing therapies with a holistic range of face, body and massage treatments. Bathing in the Spa Dreaming Centre and Bath House is included with all spa packages. The benefits of combining bathing with your spa treatment enable you to enjoy a deeper experience, eliminate toxins and promote healthy skin. There is a lovely onsite restaurant, café and even a picnic area. Make the most of the day- the Bath House stays open until 10 pm.
The Darling Spa at The Star, Sydney
Lovingly referred to as Sydney’s ‘sexiest spa’ The Darling Spa offers a level of pampering that will leave you feeling relaxed, refreshed and renewed from head to toe. With 11 treatment rooms, exclusive couples suites, a Moroccan Hammam chamber, a steam room and a jacuzzi, there’s no wonder The Darling is renowned for being one of Sydney’s most lavish spas.
Its signature treatment is the decadent caviar facial, using La Prairie’s iconic Skin Caviar collection. A thorough eye and face massage will leave your face lifted and firmer than before, while your arms are treated to a caviar-infused treatment. The tranquil setting and blissful bespoke treatments will take you on an exquisite journey towards wellbeing and rejuvenation. Hot tip- treat yourself to the post-spa High Tea.
www.star.com.au/the-darling/spa
Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, Victoria
Hepburn Bathhouse offers relaxing and reviving spa treatments and therapies, including private mineral wellness baths, wellness-focused massages, body treatments & facial therapies and hand and foot experiences. Entry into the bathhouse is included as well as an aroma steam room, spa couches, salt and magnesium pool, walk-in cool-down pool, outdoor creekside pool and mineral hammam. Enjoy the world-renowned benefits of these healing waters for pure wellness and rejuvenation. Staying with the water theme, the water therapy treatment invites you to experience the soothing sensation of multiple shower jets of the Vichy shower that relaxes, polishes and softens the skin and body to perfection. Combined with an invigorating salt exfoliation, your body is finally enveloped a steam treatment and a de-stressing scalp massage. Pure bliss.
Werribee Mansion Spa, Victoria
The Werribee Mansion Spa is one of Melbourne’s most exclusive day spas, an ethereal escape just 30 minutes from the CBD. This oasis of calm allows you to achieve the ultimate in rejuvenation and mindfulness as you relax in the hands of a caring, expert therapist. The Spa Menu is unashamedly designed to spoil and pamper you inside and out. The day spa also offers some incredible massage packages, such as Waves of Relaxation, a rhythmic massage designed to leave you feeling supremely relaxed. Don’t miss out on experiencing their beautifully tiled, traditional Hammam chamber. Sit back, relax and enjoy the soothing benefits of a private steam room. Spa guests also enjoy complimentary access to the heated indoor pool, sauna and gym area. Relax poolside with a cup of herbal tea and truly unwind after your spa treatment.