after months of mild weather, Victoria has finally shifted into the winter season: a time for resting, embracing warmth and nurturing ourselves with restorative rituals

In Taoism and Traditional Chinese Medicine, winter is the season of the water element, and is associated with stillness, reflection and the conservation of energy.

As we transition into the new season, we invite you to welcome small moments of stillness and self-care. To support your transition through winter, we have curated a collection of wellbeing tips, helping you to restore balance, reconnect with nature and find gentle realignment as we embrace the introspective energy that the new season brings.

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1. Slow down

Like the plants and creatures that take rest during the colder months, winter is a beautiful time to practise moving through life at a slower pace. You might like to start or end your day with a long bath (or a soak in a hot spring), or introduce introspective practices such as journalling or meditation.

Our newest wellness offering, the Cacao Circle, is an opportunity to wrap your hands around a heart-warming cup of cacao and drop into a state of mindfulness in the comfort of our Tea House. Combined with hot spring bathing, this is a profoundly nurturing winter activity. And until 30 June, 2025, you can add a complimentary Cacao Circle to your Revitalise bathing booking — usually $20 per person.

2. Exfoliate and breathe easy in a steam room

Due to the lack of humidity in the air, our skin can become drier in the cooler weather. Using a kese mitt in a steam room is an ancient way to exfoliate the skin while de-stressing in a warm, humid environment. The steam can also relieve nasal congestion and irritated membranes in the nose, both of which can be common winter afflictions.

Peninsula Hot Springs is home to a Turkish steam bath (hamam) in the Bath House and a Moroccan hammam in the Spa Dreaming Centre. Kese mitts can be purchased from our reception areas.

3. Sweat it out in the sauna

Winter is naturally the most enjoyable time to experience the warm embrace of a sauna. Not only does it feel pleasant to bask in a hot sauna on a cold day, but the sauna can help boost circulation and heartrate at a time of year when you may be less active. Sitting and sweating in a sauna has also been linked to improved mental health.

Peninsula Hot Springs runs Sauna Infusion workshops throughout the winter to educate guests on the power of sauna bathing. Guests are guided through breathwork and meditation before stepping into a wet sauna infused with essential oils and using vihtas (Finnish whisks) to promote bloodflow. Both the Sauna Infusion and Fire and Ice workshops are complimentary with Revitalise bathing until 30 June, 2025 as part of our special Weekday Wellness offer.

4. Keep moving

Winter is a time for becoming more restful and settling into a rhythm of doing less – but it’s also essential for our overall wellbeing to keep moving. This might involve rugging up for a wintery walk or practising stretching and strengthening in a heated yoga class.

To pair yoga with bathing, book in for a 7.30am mat yoga class at the springs ($20 per person), or head along to the Hot Spring Yoga class in the Amphitheatre at 9.15am daily (complimentary with bathing).

5. Get outside for nature connection, Vitamin D and circadian rhythm regulation

While curling up by the fire is a lovely way to spend a winter’s afternoon, it’s important to spend some time outside, connecting with nature and absorbing Vitamin D through small doses of sunshine. Exposing yourself to natural light will also help regulate your circadian rhythm, which helps us to feel energised during the day and sleepy at night.

The beauty of our wellness destination is that guests can experience the elements and the wonder of the natural world from the comfort of a hot spring.

6. Warm up in a hot spring

The colder months are an incredibly magical time to visit Peninsula Hot Springs. Many guests like to begin their mornings with a bathe in the semi-darkness, when steam rises from the pools, or make the most of long winter nights by stargazing from an open-air spring.

Our geothermal water soothes stiff muscles and gives you the feeling of being warmed to the bone. Hot springs bathing can also ease conditions such as arthritis, and improve social connection during a less social time of year.

7. Rise and retire with the sun

According to the ancient Taoist text The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine, winter is the time to “retire early and get up with the sunrise”. This doesn’t mean going to bed at 5.30pm when it gets dark – but we might begin our wind-down routine earlier in the wintertime.

Bathing can be a deeply relaxing activity to incorporate into your nighttime rituals. Whether you visit us after work or after dinner, warming your body in our various pools and saunas can spell a night of quality rest.