Hot Springs Information
What we offer . . .
Peninsula Hot Springs is the first natural hot springs & day spa centre in Victoria, Australia.
Natural hot mineral waters flow into the thermal pools and private baths providing the idyllic setting for relaxation and rejuvenation.There are public baths which do not require any bookings and a private massage day spa where we offer a wide variety of treatments and private mineral baths.
Our licensed cafe provides wonderful cuisine to complement visits to the spa and for casual visitors.
Our 17 hectares is set in the rolling sandy dunes of 'The Cups' on the southern Mornington Peninsula, in Fingal (Rye), just an hour and a half from Melbourne.
Where does our water come from?
The hot mineral spring waters flow from an aquifer 637 metres below the surface. The 50C water rises under its own pressure through the bore to within 10 metres of the surface, from where it is pumped to the pools.
Pool temperatures vary from 37C to 43C
The water contains a range of naturally occurring minerals including sulphur, calcium, magnesium, potassium and many others. The gentle aroma comes from the sulphur content.
A detailed analysis of the geothermal water was conducted by the Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences in New Zealand and the University of Idaho in The United States (view our PDF document of the water analysis). The analyses were sent to the Mineral Water Association in Moscow and the Hot Spring Research Institute in Tokyo both of which confirmed they are ideal for healthy bathing and relaxation.
We have prepared a document for the education of geography students and people interested in the geothermal systems and geology of our geothermal waters. This provides details on areas like: why the waters is naturally hot, where the water comes from, the drilling process, and some of the health beneifts of mineral water bathing. See a PDF of the article, published in the Interaction magazine in December 2010, "Geothermal systems and geology"
Health benefits
The water is classified as a "Sodium Chloride Bicarbonate Spring" (Na-C1.HCO3). According to the Japanese Health Authority, the therapeutic benefits of bathing in this type of thermal mineral spring are said to include the alleviation of neuralgia, bruising, breaks, articular rheumatism, stiffness of the shoulders, skin diseases, recovery from fatigue, infertility and muscular complaints.
Best times for serene quiet Bathing
Planning ahead can help make the most of your Peninsula Hot Springs experience. Peninsula Hot Springs is open from 7:30 am till 10 pm 7 days a week. Weekends and school holidays are busier times so if it is a serene time you are after either bathe in the early morning from 7:30 am till 11 am or you can also consider bathing almost any time in the pools of the Spa Dreaming Centre. Another serene option is available any time if you book a private outdoor mineral bath.
Hot Springs in the rain
Many people ask us whether they should come here when its raining. The answer is YES! It's superb and very special in the rain; you are in warm water up to your neck and the rain on your face is very refreshing. So come on and join us before the rain stops!
Fact Sheet
This is a one page fact sheet on Peninsula Hot Springs Peninsula Hot Springs Fact Sheet 2011
Hot Springs Bath House Launch Dec 2009
During the launch of the main bathing facility at Peninsula Hot Springs we were honoured to have Shane Charles, indigenous elder of the Boonwurrong people, provide an official welcome to country. The following short video opens the doors to the people who have lived in harmony with the land Peninsula Hot Springs is located on for over 30,000 years.
See the Hot Springs Bath House launch video here
The complete Shane Charles speech can be seen here
Questions & Answers
Renowned Australian journalist Sally Hunwick, based in London, asks questions on Peninsula Hot Springs to co-founder and director Charles Davidson.
Has bathing in springs taken off in Australia? Is this recent or do we have a history of bathing? Is bathing here getting bigger?
Without searching the history books I think that the earliest bathing in Australia was at Hepburn Springs some 120 years ago. They have gone through a few reincarnations the most recent of which was a $12 million expansion of their bath house complex completed in 2008.
Other bathing facilities include the Korean Bath House in Sydney and then there are all the natural hot springs in every state. Moree Hot Springs in NSW, Innot Hot Springs in QLD, Mataranka Hot Springs in NT, Douglas Hot Springs in SA, Hot Springs at El Questro in WA and Hastings Caves and thermal springs in Tasmania - Peninsula Hot Springs in Vic (of course!!!). These are a few of the 40 plus hot springs within Australia.
It is becoming more popular and with increased awareness of health and wellbeing as well as interest in geothermal heat and sustainable practices the growth in this segment is set to rise considerably and continue.
How many people did you get through your doors pre-development? And how many do you estimate will come through your doors now that the development has been completed?
I am presuming you mean pre the Stage 2 development which opened in December 2009? In the year ended 2009 we had some 90,000 visitors (80,000 in 2008) and our estimated maximum capacity at that time was 100,000 annual visitors. Now with the new extension capacity has risen to an estimated 500,000 per annum and our anticipated visitation for 2010 is 120,000 with an aim to raise this to 350,000 within 3 years.
You’re about to start building accommodation on the property which will finish mid this year. What will this accommodation be like? Is there a demand for bathing style accommodation in Australia? And what kind of people do you expect to come and stay at PHS?
The accommodation will more realistically commence towards the end of 2011 and not mid year. Actually with the opening up with Moonah Links we have 96 rooms of accommodation right now. The free buggy shuttle service can take people over the golf course directly to their rooms. The on site rooms will commence with Spa Lodges with their own hot springs baths, day beds, private gardens and the full spa services and meals available a short stroll away - or even better order room service and you dont even have to leave your room.
Will you offer programs for guests staying in the accommodation? Eg detox programs, weight loss etc. what will the programs be and what will they entail?
There is a plan for a full Wellness Centre to be constructed however that will commence only once the accommodation room numbers get beyond 50 rooms. In the mean time there is a great deal of work being done to commence some programs with several health and fitness trainers. We will soon have bathing trainers who will be able to take guests on programs to teach them the many ways to partake in the offerings of the facility. The programs will include instructions on how to use the Turkish bath, the reflexology walk, watsu (water shiatsu) pool and hydrotherapy facility as well as the many other bathing styles available on offer.
What are the health benefits of PHS's mineral waters?
PHS mineral water further information
Does the hotter water (41C) have different benefits to the cooler temps (39C) - or is it just personal preference?
The heat in the water helps in inducing blood flow and sweating both releasing toxins in the system and assisting the body heal itself. The higher the temperature the faster the flow. Other health benefits are addressed in detail in the attached documents. Bathing in the hotter temperature pools should be limited to a maximum of 15 minutes at a time (shorter in hotter pools) and keeping body fluids up by regularly drinking water is essential.
Are there any rituals or things we should do prior to bathing in hot springs? Any etiquette rules to bathing we should abide by?
The most important action we require of everyone is taking a shower prior to bathing. The pools are designed as a place of relaxation, health and wellbeing. Also see the full list of recommended bathing procedures attached. Bathing Procedures
Are there differences (or health benefits) between authentic, naturally occurring springs, such as PHS water, and man made hot mineral baths/pools (for example the kind that you find at public pools with a high salt content, or mineral-added hot baths in day spas)?
Personally I think there is a huge difference. One big one is that there are no sore red eyes and the smell of chlorine is also not there.
The other big difference in having natural hot springs is that we are able to make many of the pools outside giving people a chance to breathe the fresh air, sit under trees and feel they are really a part of the environment around them. That sense of connection with the broader environment is a key to the sustainability movement and the idea of finding a way to be at one with the natural world around us.
Where did the art of bathing originate from?
Bathing as an art has been around as long as warm waters have flowed to the surface from deep under ground - that would be as long as man, water and the earth have been around. Tens of thousands of years - think of how long Aboriginies have been in Australia - the water has been there longer and it was hot then like it is now.
Where did you fall in love with bathing?
I was in the Japanese town of Kusatsu in 1992, it was about March and the winter snow was still on the ground and in the trees around the pools. The sense of connection and blissful relaxation was amazing. I said to myself, "Why don't we have this in Australia?" We love the outdoors and we love relaxation and this was the best expression of the two I had and still have come across.
What is a must-go hot springs in Japan? Are there any others in the world that should be mentioned as top bathing experiences?
Tensan in Hakone about 2 hours train ride from Tokyo is great. So to is Kusatsu. Actually there are many, many hot springs in Japan which are great. Some are in Tokyo but most are out in the countryside.
Others in the world which are good, and that I know of, include Karlovary in the Czech Republic, Rotorua and Hamner Springs in New Zealand, the Blue Lagoon in Iceland and many more. The reality is that they are everywhere and are very popular. This is certainly an area Australia is not a leader in - we are only really just beginning. This is why there has been such a great opportunity and joy to bring the best of world bathing practices back to Australia for everyone here to enjoy.
You’ve combined other cultures’ bathing rituals, like the Turkish steam bath, and had a Feng Sui expert place the rocks in the waterfall. Was it your intention to blend different cultures together? And why?
Since the beginning of the concept of the Hot Springs the aim has been to provide a facility that brings some of the best bathing practices from throughout the world to Australia. It was always the intention and continues to be the intention to learn from and share with others to provide the best experiences we are able to.
What would you say (apart from PHS) are the top five hot springs in Australia? And where do you rate PHS?
The list of springs is above. Peninsula Hot Springs is one of many, but as far as I know the only one which combines the day spa, breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week and accommodation available.
It is not up to me to rate them. For me a natural hot spring, like one in a muddy river at the Kooma Language group in Queensland, is as good as it gets. But there are no toilets, showers, accommodation, massages or any other spa related activities some people like to enjoy.
