Find geothermal bathing, heavenly spa treatments and seriously good all-day dining all in one place on Victoria’s bush-fringed coast.

Feeling a bit ‘meh’? Forget travelling overseas to a wellness retreat in a far-flung destination when there’s a way to restore your wellbeing closer to home. Enter Alba Thermal Springs & Spa, Victoria’s newest hot springs, located in the laidback Mornington Peninsula.

Bathing in geothermal springs surrounded by the wild beauty of nature is a centuries-old ritual practised by people all over the world. Sure, soaking in mineral-rich water helps to relieve stress, fatigue and muscle aches, but it also feels damn good to float in a warm pool while watching the clouds above. Add a sublime spa treatment, nourishing lunch (and perhaps a cheeky glass of wine?) and you’ve got yourself a one-way ticket to paradise.

Diving into Alba Thermal Springs

From the outside, Alba’s sleek, slightly futuristic structure lends itself to being anything from a contemporary art gallery to the headquarters of a tech company. Entering the imposing building, I’m immediately enveloped in a wave of calm as I’m led to the changerooms equipped with lockers, showers and Dyson hairdryers.

After changing into a bikini, I slip on a plush, white robe and venture out into the open-air bathing area to begin the experience. There are only a few pools visible once I walk through the glass doors into the outdoor area but as the adage goes, looks can be deceiving. There are actually 31 therapeutic thermal springs and salt baths dispersed throughout the 15-hectare property’s sloping, landscaped native gardens.

With a variety of pools heated to varying temperatures, I pool hop like goldilocks until I find the one that’s just right for me. At first, I join two women chilling out in The Falls, a showstopping pool surrounded by a halo of soft rain. I then wander up the path to try The Shell, a small, semi-enclosed cocoon-like pool with no one else in it. Further along, I find The Luna, a pretty, moon-shaped pool fringed by native bushland.

Importantly, Alba is one of the few places where you can enjoy the freedom to relax in mobile phone-free peace. Prefer some privacy? There are also nine private pools you can book to bathe in seclusion, including an intimate rooftop salt pool for two and a spacious pool and deck perfect for small groups.

But it’s not all about bathing here. I love the endorphin boost that comes with getting hot and sweaty, so I make a beeline for The Hemisphere’s spacious sauna and steam rooms. After melting my muscles in the sauna, I follow up with a cleansing chaser of steam that leaves me with a rosy glow. On the way out, I sidestep a cold plunge pool with just one brave bather in it. One day I’ll work up the courage to try hot/cold immersion therapy, but that day is not today.

Thyme restaurant

Feeling peckish, the thought of leaving to find something to eat is unbearable. Thankfully, there’s no need to change back into the jeans and shirt I arrived in. At Thyme restaurant, wearing a robe and slippers is not only acceptable, it’s encouraged.

The all-day menu (created by award-winning Melbourne chef Karen Martini) features dishes that strike the perfect balance between nutritious and delicious. There’s a focus on light, fresh fare, with menu items like a humble chicken schnitzel sandwich elevated by clever ingredients like seeded panko, slaw, carrot zuni pickle and green chilli mayo.

Sure, you could order a salad or seasonal greens if you’re focused on clean eating, but there are also classic comfort foods like potato frites and gelato (and an impressive wine list of local drops) too. A coconut jelly and crème dessert with salted mango and zesty lime pearls is a real standout in a sea of winners – who knew spa dining could be this good?

Relaxing in Alba’s spa

From guided meditation to sauna infusion and qi gong, Alba has plenty of wellness activities on offer. For me, the ultimate wellbeing-booster is a post-lunch massage that’s so relaxing I almost drop off to sleep. Located at the top of a dramatic, oversized spiral staircase, the spa is a haven of tranquillity where staff speaking in hushed tones greet guests with a warm pot of Alba’s signature herbal tea.

Including all-day access to the geothermal pools and a one-hour massage in the spa, the Alba Artisan experience hits the spot for me but there’s everything from vichy showers to cryo facials and deluxe pedicures to choose from. Want to shed your old skin with some serious exfoliation? Try the Hammam Float experience. Feel like you need a total reset? Go all-in and book the Anahata Ritual to enjoy a body polish, clay wrap, scalp treatment, hydrating massage and facial, as well as all-day access to the pools. You won’t know yourself afterwards.

Emerging from the spa, I float downstairs without a care in the world. Turns out, stress doesn’t stand a chance against the rare combination of hot springs, good food and a spa session at Alba Thermal Springs & Spa.

The details

You’ll find Alba Thermal Springs & Spa in the Mornington Peninsula town of Fingal, a 90-minute drive south of Melbourne Airport.

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