The Young & The Restless | A bath that has stayed warm for more than 10,000 years

By Bree Harding

May 27, 2024

Oasis: Mataranka Hot Springs in the Northern Territory is a popular tourist stop with its inviting, warm blue waters among tropical greenery. Photo by Contributed

The young don’t often slow down — unless it’s the morning of first day back at school and they’re ironically tired from the two weeks’ rest they just had — and neither do the restless.

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I try to relax every now and then, but usually, no matter what I’m engaged in doing, my mind is racing with what’s next on the list.

A warm bath when I make time for it will do the trick, but it still has a limit of about 30 minutes maximum before my brain reboots and starts calling me to get out and stop wasting time.

Sanctuary: The grounds of Peninsula Hot Springs are extensive and have many places to relax and unwind, in and out of the thermal pools. Photo by Contributed

A natural hot bath in nature, though, is quite a different beast.

If you love hot baths, you would no doubt also love hot springs.

If there’s one in the vicinity on any of my travels, I’ll add it to my itinerary.

Relaxing there is strangely easier than relaxing in my bath at home.

Maybe it’s because the responsibilities beyond the bathroom door aren’t calling me.

Maybe it’s because I’m killing two birds with one stone: having a travel experience and getting a chill session in at the same time.

Could it even be because the temperature is consistently maintained, and there’s no need to top up with some fresh hot water; the cooling is often a cue to just get out instead.

In outback Australia, the hot springs are usually free to use and have been minimally landscaped to preserve the natural feel of the environment in which they lay.

Adventure: The upside of outback hot springs is that they’re usually free. The downside is that crocodiles could potentially be present. Photo by Contributed

But in Victoria, big business has harnessed the money-making power of what flows up organically from 637m below the Earth’s surface, with a few different hot springs in the state asking a fairly hefty entry fee to have a hot bath.

Although, there are several distinct differences between entering a hot springs facility on the Mornington Peninsula and one in the outback.

For starters, there are 70 different pools at Peninsula Hot Springs — all globally inspired — and several different wellness experiences on offer to complement your bathing on well-manicured grounds, meticulously landscaped.

Revitalising: One of the 70 thermal pools at Peninsula Hot Springs. Photo by Contributed

We arrived at Peninsula Hot Springs as the sun was rising for our 7am session on Sunday and went straight to a hilltop pool overlooking the valleys.

All the pools at Peninsula Hot Springs range in temperature from 34 to 42°C.

I didn’t take note of the sign at the hilltop pool, but it was the hottest one we entered that day. The headspin I got when I stood up told me that. What a way to start a day — a bath so hot it almost put me straight back to sleep!

Due to the popularity of the hilltop pool and its small size, there is a 10-minute time limit for each guest.

Bliss: A friend and I soak in the hot water of the Hilltop Pool at Peninsula Hot Springs. Photo by Contributed

Serenity: The reflexology creek at Peninsula Hot Springs aims to release tension. Photo by Contributed

Time is hard to estimate when you’re not wearing a watch or carrying a phone (how novel, but also very conducive to our relaxation attempts) and your body is melting into serious deep heat-induced rest.

But thanks to the lady next to us loudly telling her friend the stitches from her recent surgery were starting to come out, we were out before our time was up anyway.

I wondered on reflection if that were actually true or if it was a clever plan to clear the pool so she and her friend could enjoy it on their own.

We moved throughout the complex for the next couple of hours — hopping in and out of different pools, walking the length of a pebble-lined reflexology creek, sitting inside a cave pool — before settling into a hydrotherapy pool overlooking an amphitheatre where a yogi was delivering the centre’s daily 9.15am yoga session to guests.

Tranquil junction: My friend bathes in the hydrotherapy pool overlooking the amphitheatre, where there are morning yoga sessions at Peninsula Hot Springs. Photo by Contributed

The idea is to stretch, strengthen and balance the body while also soaking in the benefits of geothermal bathing. The healing minerals within these springs include boron, magnesium, potassium and sodium.

I’m going to suggest that if you’re keen on this experience, it would be better to do it on the first day of a two-day weekend stay in the area rather than having to face an almost 3.5-hour drive back to the Goulburn Valley, where you’ll likely be craving a little arvo nap instead of navigating freeways.

Or just do it for free somewhere in the outback on your next family holiday when you’ve got all the time in the world!

Eternal essence: The hot mineral water has been rising from 637m below the Earth’s surface for more than 10,000 years. Photo by Contributed

DETAILS

What: Peninsula Hot Springs

Where: Fingal, Victoria

Cost: $45 to $75 adults; $25 to $50 kids up to 15. This is for bathing only — bathrobe, towel, locker hire and other wellness experiences attract extra cost.

Duration: Not limited

Times: 5am to 11pm (different areas of the complex are open for shorter periods)

Age: All ages

To book: peninsulahotsprings.com