Spa retreats in Victoria for that extra touch of relaxation

The RACV Cape Schanck Resort makes the most of the natural landscape at the Mornington Peninsula’s southern tip. The hotel’s curved design means each room gets unobstructed views over the coast, bushland or golf course. In the Peninsula Suite, you can watch waves crash against the shore from the comfort of your 180-degree wraparound balcony.

Get out into nature on a windswept clifftop walk, or follow trails to the nearby lighthouse or Bushrangers Bay. On your return, you can soak weary feet in the indoor heated swimming pool, or head to One Spa for an Urban Detox Facial made from plant-based charcoal. You’ll also find a Turkish bathing area here, so you can divvy up your day between the salted relaxation pool, vitality pool and a thermal stone steam room. Book a Moroccan-style Hammam Journey, and you’ll surrender to a traditional exfoliation before being covered in clay and rose water body mud.

Located in the spa capital of Victoria, Hotel Lake House is set on six acres of rainforest and calm-inducing countryside. Owned by a chef and an artist, the hotel’s got a range of activities – think cooking demonstrations and masterclasses at the onsite Cooking School, plus leisurely tours of the property’s own art studio.

As for Salus Spa, it sits within a fern gully and has nine treetop treatment rooms nestled in lush greenery. You can start with a soak in a Mineral Spa using pure Daylesford mineral water, then feel your stresses slip away beneath a hot volcanic stone massage.

Wander back to your Waterfront Suite to watch the sunset from your private balcony or courtyard, where you might even spot cheeky rosellas and kookaburras among the trees. Alternatively, head to the sun-soaked Lagoon Deck for an aperitif. In the colder months, the Argyle Library Bar keeps a roaring fire – ideal for curling up on a leather sofa with a dry martini or aged whiskey.

In the heart of the Yarra Valley wine region, Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort & Spa is within an hour’s drive of Melbourne. It’s a paradise for tipple-lovers and peace-seekers here, within 30 hectares of rolling hills and rows of vines.

The cellar door offers tastings of the estate’s award-winning wines, from Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz to Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. If you want to treat your palate to the wares of other local wineries, you’re just a short drive from Yering Station and Domaine Chandon.

Ideal for girls’ getaways, Natskin Day Spa can tailor its treatments for groups of friends. You can even combine your spa experience with high tea at Rae’s Restaurant, where you’ll savour petit fours, freshly baked scones and a glass of the estate’s Brut Cuvee. Work off any extra indulgence with a few laps in the Health Club’s indoor heated swimming pool, or knock out a quick circuit in the gym.

Bellinzona Resort is tucked away in Hepburn Springs, home to natural mineral springs, gourmet food trails and heady wineries. You’ll find the resort’s 43 suites scattered through charming English gardens. If you’re on a romantic getaway, opt for a Superior Spa Room so you can start your escape with a couple’s bath and a bottle of bubbly. Alternatively, throw on your swimmers and head straight to the wellness area for a soak and a steam.

The Heritage Restaurant overlooks the gardens and Wombat State Forest, and during summer you can dine on the outdoor terrace. Choose from sumptuous mains like beef tournedos rossini, or Otway pork cutlets paired with a glass of the estate’s fine wine. The Wine Lounge – with its crackling fireplace – will be waiting to welcome you for a nightcap. After something daintier? Afternoons mean high tea in the grand dining room, where you can nibble ribbon sandwiches and jam-laden scones.

Once a 19th-century mansion and Catholic seminary, Hotel Mansion & Spa at Werribee Park is a journey back in time just 30 minutes from Melbourne. The mansion’s Italianate architecture was the first in the region – as a guest, you’ll get complimentary access to 10 acres of formal gardens and restored interiors filled with antiques.

On cooler days, you can settle into a leather sofa in front of the open fireplace in the hotel library. There’s a snooker room on hand for practising potting, or you can book a session with the resort’s resident World Champion if you need a guiding hand.

After your game, visit the mosaic-tiled Hammam room in the spa for an invigorating exfoliation treatment and a private steam. You can bundle your treatment with a high tea at Joseph’s Restaurant overlooking the gardens, or book a Sparkling Indulgence package for 90 minutes of bliss and a glass of sparkling wine.

Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel is inspired by an Italian country home, flanked by stately gardens and a miniature hedge maze. Built in the 1930s, the hotel’s a swanky mix of Art Deco features and modern luxuries. This is perhaps best seen in the Gatsby Room, where you can start each day with a soak in your own bronze claw-foot bath.

Stop by the Argus Dining Room for locally sourced, seasonal produce matched with an impressive selection of Australian wines. You’ll feast on dishes like confit pork belly with sweet potato, or seared kangaroo carpaccio with native spiced yoghurt.

The finery continues at the hotel’s own The Mineral Spa. You can dip between two 38°C mineral water spas and a plunge pool, then steam away any aches in the stone sauna scented with lavender. If you’re after a unique spa experience, try out the infrared detox box designed to clear away toxins, or book an intimate trip to the baths at twilight.