TRAVEL
Main: Enjoy the Peninsula
Hot Springs Bathing Gully
at twilight; clockwise from
right: Entering the cave
pool at The Peninsula Hot
Springs; The deluxe ocean
view room at the RACV
Cape Schanck Resort;
Searoad ferry ride; The
sauna door; Peninsula Hot
Springs hilltop pool at
sunrise.
Bathing beauty
The Peninsula Hot Springs gives
new meaning to the phrase ‘this is
the life’, MIRANDA LUBY writes
‘One of the most
spectacular spas is
perched on the very
top of the hill.’
C
OOL marble is pressed
against my back while hot
white clouds of steam swirl
around me.
I pick up the wooden bowl next to
me, tip my head back and pour chilled
water over my face.
I’m in the Turkish steam bath at
the Peninsula Hot Springs in
Mornington and if there is a more
appropriate time to use the phrase
‘‘this is the life’’, I haven’t found it.
Made up of more than 20 ‘‘bathing
experiences’’, the spas at the
Peninsula Hot Springs are the first
natural hot water springs in Victoria.
Created from thermal mineral
waters bubbling up from 550m below
ground, the maze of baths, steam
rooms and saunas runs through the
beautiful bushland around Rye.
I arrive two hours before sunset,
change into swimmers and a fluffy
robe, happily leave my belongings
(including phone — bliss) in a locker
and head out into the winter air.
There are a number of options you
can go with at the spas including
private bathing for up to eight people
or access to a secluded treatment area
for adults only but today I’m trying
the main bathing area.
While there can be up to 300
people here, trust me when I say
you’d never know it.
Small steaming spas hidden around
tree-lined corners, in caves and up
stone steps mean you can easily find
yourself in a world of your own with
only the sound of nearby frogs to
accompany you.
You could happily spend hours
soaking in the hottest 42 degree tubs
but exploring the different bathing
experiences is half the fun.
After warming up in one of the
spas, I start strolling around and come
across a reflexology walk.
Stones ranging in shapes and sizes
massage your feet (somewhat
painfully) as you teeter forward along
a pathway.
One pool flows through the mouth
of a dimly-lit cave where vines hang
down from the rock and steam fills
the space.
In some spas, water cascades out of
bamboo fountains. You can stand
underneath like an outdoor shower.
If you’re brave, which I’m proud to
CHOOSE
Name: Troy
Age: 32
Course: Marketing, 2001
02911
from
an Advanced
Diploma of
Business
say I was, you can take a quick dip in
the icy cold plunge pools. The
temperate difference is meant to be
good for you but I maintain it’s only
there for bragging rights.
While exploring I’ve been slowly
climbing upwards as the baths
meander through the trees.
One of the most spectacular spas is
perched on the very top of the hill.
With a 360-degree view of
surrounding bush and farmland, you
can witness the full splendour of
sunset as the steam rises around you.
Once the sun has set the spas
become a different experience again,
stars twinkling above you.
Leaving the baths after many
blissful hours I still hadn’t done
everything. You can even dine in the
restaurant while dressed in your robe
for that added bit of luxury.
But I’m way too relaxed to make
any sense of a menu so I head 15
minutes down the road to the
stunning RACV Cape Schanck Resort
where room service in one of the
deluxe ocean view rooms is the
perfect end to the day.
After waking up and opening the
balcony doors to see the spectacular
sight of the Victorian coast and a
buffet breakfast in the resort’s sunsoaked dining room, it’s time to
explore the Mornington Peninsula.
I drive along the coast down to
Flinders and back up to Point Leo,
enjoying bush walks and pier-side
strolls, before heading in to Red Hill
for a look at the wineries and farms.
Jumping on the last Searoad ferry
back to Queenscliff means I’m home
in time for dinner on Sunday but
come work on Monday, I feel like I’ve
been away for a week.
IF YOU GO:
Searoad Ferries offer a special deal with the Peninsula Hot springs .
The Ferry/Peninsula Hot Springs Bathing Package includes return ferry
travel with a car, driver and one passenger and a Bath House Bathing Pass
(guaranteed priority entry) for two people at Peninsula Hot Springs. Price
$89 per person (minimum 2 people). Extra people in vehicle $49 per
person. Visit searoad.com.au
The Peninsula Hot Springs also offer deals with the RACV Cape Schanck
Resort. Visit the racv.com.au or peninsulahotsprings.com
PATH
to
the Director of Customer
Development for an
international toy company.
To follow Troy’s path, find out more at
thegordon.edu.au or call 03 5225 0800
ZO331156
30 GT LIFESTYLE
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