The city and its surrounds provide a pick-me-up for body and soul.
The city and its surrounds provide a pick-me-up for body and soul.
Here it’s all street art, the freshest farm-to-table fare, handcrafted beverages, yet efficiency in the things that matter. Sydney may attract the tourists, and the outback appeals for its beauty, but Australia’s second largest city has a homegrown attitude that is refreshing for even the most seasoned travellers.
Melbourne has always been Australia’s cultural hub, and with that locals have increasingly considered wellness as part of their daily lives, setting the trend not only regionally but with a knock-on effect as far reaching as New York. For Melburnians, the nearly year-round fine weather allows easy access to all that goodness. And it shows.
From beautiful beaches to sunshine and lush greenery, the locals value healthy living and actively pursue it, another reason people from all over the continent come to find their piece of wellness. Melbourne by its very nature is chilled, and has a reputation for offering the best in rejuvenation and revitalisation in the country. Whether you’re looking for a day spa, quick massage, healthy smoothie or just somewhere to linger longer, this little area of the world has plenty of that and more.
A new spa, yoga studio, juice bar or healthy restaurant opens a few times a month, according to the Melbourne Visitor’s Center, as surfers, latte-swirlers and artistic folk need dedicated chill time. So explore the city’s finest establishments, or take a long weekend in Yarra Valley where a few days (or a week) of devoted wellness can be your saviour.
IN THE HEART OF TOWN
CHUAN SPA AT THE LANGHAM, MELBOURNE
Ideal after a long-haul flight, Chuan Spa at The Langham, Melbourne built its reputation on a place for seeking spiritual and physical harmony. Here the concept is that well-being and vitality are enhanced through the nurturing of the three treasures which everyone possesses: jing, our life force; qi, our vital energy and shen, our mind and spirit. Their methodology is simple: to balance the elements of metal, fire, wood, water and air. Treatments, and their evangelists, at the spa take this seriously. The Tao of Detox treatment provides a full-body exfoliation (to stimulate blood and lymph circulation) and a wrap comprising marine algae and aromatherapy oils. As if that isn’t enough, next an acupressure massage and facial takes you to a new level of refresh. Immerse yourself in the treatment with heightened awareness by sitting quietly and meditating. www.langhamhotels.com
PARK CLUB HEALTH & DAY SPA AT PARK HYATT MELBOURNE
ONSEN MA
This Japanese bathhouse is named after the word for space in Japanese ma. Take the opportunity to relax and unwind in a traditional-style bathhouse, a time-honoured ritual considered calming for physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. They offer private baths and saunas combined with special treatments like Japanese dry massages and relaxation oil massages. www.onsenma.com.au
CROWN SPA MELBOURNE AT CROWN TOWERS
Right in the heart of the city, the Crown Spa Melbourne, is both a health club and rejuvenating spa. Here you can enjoy the facilities with limited membership keeping it exclusive. There is a 25m heated indoor pool plus Aqua Spa Retreat wet facilities including a vitality pool, hammam and ‘experience showers’. The spa section offers pampering with private, spacious treatment rooms – Italian marble, soaring ceilings and soft filtered light. In addition to La Prairie treatments ranging from facials, body wraps, customised body massages, hydrotherapy and detoxifying treatments, the usual manicures, pedicures and salon services are also available. www.crownhotels.com.au
OUTSIDE THE CITY
Known as Australia’s spa capital, and only 90 minutes from Melbourne, Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges are the perfect getaway for rejuvenation and relaxation. The area has the country’s highest concentration of natural mineral springs, rich with a number of worldclass day spas and well-being centres.
DAY SPA AT MANSION HOTEL AND SPA AT WERRIBEE PARK
Just 30 minutes from the inner city of Melbourne is Mansion’s Day Spa. For half a century from the 1920s it played host to St Joseph’s Seminary, a spiritual retreat and college for the Catholic Church in Australia. Today their treatments boast the latest technology. The best way to enjoy this rejuvenating slice of heaven is to kick off with time in a spa capsule. This includes a full-body exfoliation combined with steam therapy to warm and invigorate. Next up, a tiled private hammam chamber awaits where an invigorating sugar scrub prepares for the facial to follow, and a cleansing mud mask with antioxidant properties. Lastly a bath soak with champagne completes the indulgence. www.lancemore.com.au
SALUS SPA AT LAKE HOUSE
Designed with blonde wood and splashes of Tiffany blue, the beautiful state-of-theart Salus Spa overlooks Lake Daylesford and is surrounded by waterfall-fed streams. With nine treatment rooms Salus is the ideal space to unwind. Their latest offering is a Mineral Soak and Massage – the concentrated mineral content encourages improved circulation, boosts the lymphatic system and eases muscle tension; perfect preparation for the hour-long relaxation massage that follows. Their unique offering is a private treetop spa session. Set in this magical location, a private circular spa tub sits in a secluded treetop cabin and looks out through the waterfront willow trees. Combine this with their Retreat where you check into a luxury country house for your overnight stay. It’s allen suites with outdoor fire pits and you can enjoy treatments in-room. Start with a bath, then a luxurious body exfoliation and an Aroma Stone body massage. Continue with a customised Elemis Advanced Facial including a gentle massage with temple balm scalp treatment. www.lakehouse.com.au
THE SPA AT HEPBURN BATHHOUSE AND SPA
Just about an hour north-west of Melbourne in Victoria’s glorious spa country, Hepburn awaits. With just 10 glamorous five-star villas you want to check-in here for a weekend of wellness treats. Elegantly designed in its contemporary flair the villas all have magnificent, serene views over native bush land, each flanked by a balcony and filled with natural light.
SALTAIR SPA
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Saltair Spa is a hidden sanctuary with views of rolling green hills and the ocean from all rooms; unwind by the pool at Mansion Hotel’s Day Spa after a rejuvenating treatment; Salus Spa’s treehouse offers a secluded retreat; The Spa at Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa features a rustic design
