Spa retreats in Tasmania: where to indulge on Australia's picture-perfect isle

If you’re keen for a spa break in Tassie’s wild north-west, slip away to Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge. Set against a dramatic backdrop of jagged mountain peaks, this place is a real sight for sore eyes – and the interiors are pretty awe-inspiring too. With four different types of accommodation, you can cosy up in front of the fire and meditate on the natural landscape perfectly framed by large windows.

For the ultimate indulgence, bag yourself a King Billy Suite. Your separate sleeping and living areas will come swathed in calming earthy tones and studded with crafted wooden furnishings. Run the deep, freestanding bath for a long soak – or, you might prefer to linger on your balcony, where a bubbling hot tub awaits.

There’s a lot to do in the local area, especially if you love the great outdoors. You can join one of the hotel’s organised walks to majestic waterfalls, or glide out onto the waters of Dove Lake for a guided canoe trip. Rejuvenate afterwards at the hotel’s own Waldheim Alpine Spa with an Aromasoul Relaxing Massage, then slip into the sauna to steam away any remaining cares.

Head to the Ibis Styles Hobart Hotel for slick city-centre digs and pampering amenities. Located just a stone’s throw from Hobart’s dreamy harbour, this hotel is pleasingly tranquil despite being in the heart of the action of Macquarie Street. Check in to a Deluxe Room and you’ll be housed on the hotel’s higher floors, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering vast views over the city. You’ll drift to sleep on crisp white linens that cover your ‘Sweet Bed’ – a signature Ibis feature – and contemplate the colourful murals that perfectly complement the chic wooden furniture.

As for relaxing, you can float in the heated indoor pool or steam yourself into a zen-like state in one of two saunas. If you prefer to chill out with time in the gym, there’s the fitness centre. Otherwise, you might unwind in the hotel’s award-winning restaurant and bar, Mr Good Guy. Expect Southeast Asian favourites like Singapore laksa and decadent deep-fried ice cream, all in head-spinningly colourful hawker-style surroundings.

Evenings are easy with a bar at the ready for cheeky drinks, plus the buzz of bar-dotted Salamanca Place just a 10-minute walk away. Alternatively, turn in early so you can be up the next morning for a low-key meander around the quirky MONA art museum.

Hugging the glittering Tamar River is Peppers Silo, a whimsical Launceston spa retreat. In a former life, this place housed tonnes of grain in four large silos. Now re-imagined as an ultra cool hotel, every inch of the building brims with character. Choose a Gorge River Deluxe Room to be surrounded by the hotel’s history, with curved concrete walls and furniture crafted from recycled timber. You’ll also get panoramic views over the Cataract Gorge entrance – right from the comfort of your feather-soft bed.

Come morning, prepare for the day in Grain of the Silos Restaurant, devouring a buffet of cereals, seasonal fruits and buttery croissants. Get back to nature with a trip to the Tamar Island Wetlands, or make the easy 17-minute walk to Launceston’s Harvest Market for a browse of the diverse stalls. Either way, reward yourself after a busy morning by sneaking off to the hotel’s day spa – you can indulge with a Purifying Facial and a Warm Oil Massage before retreating to the privacy of your room for a siesta. Got a second wind? Woody’s Barrel Bar will welcome you in for a platter of tangy cheeses and delicate local wines.

Harbourside Salamanca Inn is one classy way to enjoy a Hobart spa retreat. This 4.5-star accommodation is an all-suite hotel, meaning each airy abode comes equipped with a full kitchen and a comfortable living space in addition to luxe beds and elegant ensuites.

An Executive Spa Suite is ideal if you’re craving a little extra pampering. You’ll be treated on your private balcony to views over the River Derwent, though the bathroom on the mezzanine might just delight you the most – think calming rainfall shower and a jetted spa tub.

You’re just 50 metres from Salamanca Market here, so be sure to check out the 300+ stalls that line Hobart’s waterfront every Saturday. Hobart’s CBD is also super close if you’re hankering for myriad museums and hipster-haven coffee shops. When you’re done exploring, you can migrate to the hotel’s enclosed rooftop pool to wind down with a few laidback laps. Alternatively, you might just hit the spa for some bubbles before dinner – easily crafted in your suite’s kitchen, or served up on steaming platters at onsite restaurant Beef & Seafood Grill.

Let the lush Launceston landscape envelop you when you stay at the Country Club Tasmania. You’re just 10 minutes from Launceston’s CBD here, but you’d hardly know it. Set beside a shimmering lake and surrounded by vivid green countryside, this place has all the tranquil vibes of a wilderness retreat. The resort’s health club helps with the blissed-out feeling, too. You can splash in the heated swimming pool, dip into the Jacuzzi or ease into the sauna for a soothing steam.

Immersing guests in nature is something this place does well, so you’ll want to don your very best country gear and throw yourself into various onsite activities. There’s everything from pony treks and wildlife-rich walking trails to lakeside duck feeding. For something sportier, keep yourself busy on the squash courts and golfing green.

Inviting eateries are on hand when you need to refuel. There’s the likes of double-smoked pork chops in laidback Bolters Grill, while Terrace Restaurant offers creative dishes such as snapper wings with a Goan curry rub and goats cheese-topped pumpkin cannelloni. If you’re craving a cosy evening in, you can relax on elegant country-style furnishings and order your pillow of choice from the menu.

Just south of Launceston (around 5 minutes’ drive), you’ll find the inviting 4-star Comfort Hotel Olde Tudor. True to its name, the exterior’s an homage to the Tudor era with decorative timbering. Inside, you’ll find a charmingly unconventional blend of old and new design features, from carved wooden furnishings and exposed brick to colourful abstract artwork. Whatever room you choose, you can look forward to perfectly plush beds, as well as in-room toasters and coffee-making facilities to help get each day off to the right start.

An Executive King Spa room gets you all of the above, plus a decadent two-person spa bath – ideal for soaking away your cares after a day of exploring Tassie’s rugged north. Speaking of exploring, you’ll be spoiled for choice as to how to spend your time here. You can take a tranquil cruise along the glittering River Tamar, jump on a trip out to the mystical Marakoopa Caves to see the glow worms, or simply explore the delights of nearby Launceston – the James Boag’s brewery is a must for anyone with a penchant for beer.

If you’d rather stay onsite, there’s also plenty to do at the hotel. Paddle in the heated pool, or hit the pokies in the games room. The hotel’s bistro is open all day, so you can pop in when hunger strikes to satiate your appetite with the likes of crispy chicken schnitzel.