Experience Healing Waters in Mornington Peninsula at Alba Thermal Springs

With bathing culture, cold plunging, and bathhouses going mainstream over the past few years, the Australian province of Victoria has followed suit, popularizing its Great Victorian Bathing Trial. The 900km tourism route charts mineral springs, hot springs, and sea baths along the state’s southern coast. One of the newest additions to the trail is Alba Thermal Springs, a modern destination for wellness and relaxation.

Located conveniently just an hour outside Melbourne in the beautiful Mornington Penisula, Alba is a contemporary haven to unwind. Approaching the modern building partially embedded in the hilltop surrounded by native plants, a feeling of tranquillity immediately washes over you. The building designed by Australian architecture firm Hayball is impressive, almost sensual, and its heavy concrete walls are reminiscent of Tadao Ando.

Spread across fifteen hectares of regenerated tertiary dunes, you’ll find thirty-one elegant bathing pools of varying temperatures and sizes (22 of which are geothermal), some more social and others more peacefully intimate, immersed in nature. Situated around the coastal Moonah woodland, the landscape features a sleek, curved, ornamental water feature designed by MALA Studio, with a walkway up to the pools, sauna, steam room, and cold plunge. For guests seeking a more private experience, three private rooftop cloud pools are available for 45-minute bookings, two with skylights and one in total darkness.

Geothermal water has long been touted for its health benefits beyond the relaxation and stress relief you’ll experience at Alba. Naturally heated to between 370°C and 430°C in underground aquifers 550 metres below the surface, the water is rich in minerals like sulphur, calcium, magnesium and potassium. This therapeutic water can alleviate conditions like arthritis, muscle soreness and stiffness, bruising, skin disorders, boost blood circulation and reduce pain.

Inside the building, up a grand curved white staircase, a luxurious spa houses twenty-two treatment rooms, an elegant tea lounge, and an indoor-outdoor restaurant with a menu created by leading Australian chef Karen Martini. Thyme features a farm-to-table approach to cooking, emphasizing healthy dishes with locally sourced ingredients from the Mornington Peninsula served alongside fresh pressed juices, coffee, tea, and signature cocktails, including some mocktail and sugar-free options. A wine list featuring some of the region’s best local vineyards, distilleries, and breweries is also available.

Bathers can choose to add spa treatments to elevate their experience, including several bespoke half-day rituals and traditional and couples massage, facials, and body therapies. The Anahata Ritual is Alba’s most lavish experience which aims to open the heart chakra through a total body and soul journey including a smoothing body polish, nourishing body clay wrap, hair and scalp treatment, and a hydrating massage and facial.

During my visit, I had the opportunity to experience a massage which not only completely cured my jet lag, but sent me into a deep state of relaxation for the remainder of my trip. I particularly enjoyed a solo soak in the shell before a sauna cold plunge circuit situated in an indoor-outdoor space that felt tucked away from the other pools. I spent about three hours going from pool to pool, enjoying a healthy lunch at Thyme, and a massage, but could have easily spent the entire day.

Come 2025, Alba is set to open The Sanctuary which includes five villas and two premium rooms perched on the ridge overlooking the springs with sweeping views of the Peninsula amongst the native bushland. Both room types will feature a relaxing muted interior, a luxe King bed with pillow menu, Aesop amenities, a complimentary minibar, daily breakfast at Thyme and access to the bathing circuit, while the larger villas will also include exquisite details like a pre-set log fireplace, large secluded balcony, and en-suite bathtub to further optimize serenity.

To book your visit head here.

 

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