food and sunshine are many things; they’re necessary, they’re nurturing and they’re healing.

Blending the benefits of exposure to sunlight and nourishing autumnal food can be a powerful solution for effortlessly transitioning through the seasons.

The Peninsula Hot Springs Food Bowl garden is in full swing, brimming with seasonal goodness. Throughout our terraced gardens you will find an abundance of beets, tomatoes, chilies, peppers, and healing herbs such as parsley, sage, and basil.

Autumn is the perfect time to focus on your nutrition and wellness, and there's no better way to do so than by soaking in the healing waters of our natural geothermal hot spring, through enjoying nutrient-dense foods from our autumn menu and wandering through our vibrant Food Bowl garden. This is all you need to create a truly nourishing and rejuvenating wellness retreat - all in a days work.

absorb the benefits of the autumn sun

Sunshine becomes more limited in the autumn months so make an extra effort to spend time in the morning sun and expose as much of your body as possible. If you’re prone to poor sleep, be extra conscious of getting adequate sunshine exposure.

Sunshine exposure plays a key role in regulating our circadian rhythm, which can fall off-kilter during the autumnal transition. Of course, it also plays a pivotal role in strengthening our immune system as we get closer to winter.

We suggest looking to the sun for great health. Absorption of sunlight by the eyes is the most direct route of communication between the sun and our mood-stabilising and sleep-promoting neurotransmitters. Practice the ancient tradition of sungazing to meet your body’s needs this autumn. It’s very simple; Gaze at the sun as it rises and sets when the ultraviolet levels are below 1. Start with 30 seconds and gradually build up to 10 minutes. A beautiful ritual to carry you through the cooler months, finding the light when you need it most.

As you meander through the winding paths of our open-air Bath House, make your way to our Food Bowl garden where you will find a charming wide-open space, perfect for sungazing. Inside our three-acre kitchen garden are two state-of-the-art glasshouses, purpose built so you can feel the warmth of the autumn sun while sheltered, calm and relaxed from the tranquil surrounds. Experience the most from our Food Bowl through our Discovery Tour, Nourish Workshop and curate the complete Peninsula Hot Springs experience with our Nourish Retreat.

essential elements for nourishment

In addition to sunshine exposure, we can also increase our Vitamin D intake and boost our immunity by consuming fatty fish, grass-fed butter, and pasture-raised eggs consistently. At Peninsula Hot Springs, our menus have been created with intention and to include foods that nourish the body, promote balance and are within our abiding S.L.O.W food philosophy. On our autumn menu, expect to find seasonal fruits, antioxidant rich pumpkin, earthy beetroot and Vitamin D rich leafy greens that come together to make delicious, nutritious meals for you to enjoy though our dining experiences.

The food we grow in our Food Bowl garden combined with the Vitamin D synthesised by the body when our skin is exposed to sunlight play a fundamental role in bone health, immune function and other physiological processes which contribute significantly to a healthier being. By nourishing ourselves with seasonal foods and embracing new rituals, we can seamlessly transition into the autumn season with optimal wellness.