We know Melbourne has a lot to offer when it comes to best-in-class restaurants and top of the range coffee. But it turns out the Victorian capital excels in another category, too: bathhouses.
When it's relaxation you're craving, there's no shortage of immersive and indulgent experiences dotted across the city. Whether you’re seeking a traditional soak, a sensory spa experience, or a contemporary wellness haven, Melbourne’s bathhouses invite you to surrender, refresh, and emerge renewed. Here, we uncover the city’s most serene escapes—perfect for when you're in need of a little R&R.
Sense of Self, Collingwood
Best for: a mindful city escape
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Tucked into a converted Collingwood warehouse, Sense Of Self is one of the city's best-known bathhouses, blending a calming modern design with ritual bathing. Its mineral pools, steam rooms, cold plunge, and Nordic-inspired contrast baths create the ideal space for slowing down and reconnecting, conveniently located in the heart of Melbourne. Whether you want to lose track of time with a good soak, or unwind with a massage, this bathhouse is the ultimate urban oasis.
Comma, Cremorne
Best for: serious self care
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Comma in Cremorne carries the same serene, approach that made its Byron Bay location famous. Heated pools, rooftop and terrace tubs, rain showers, and saunas are arranged to encourage quiet reflection or low-key socialising, depending on your mood. True to its name, Comma invites you to take a deliberate pause. Pro tip: if you can, book in for a spa treatment as well — you won't regret it.
Peninsula Hot Springs
Best for: a scenic wellness getaway
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Just over an hour from Melbourne, Peninsula Hot Springs combines natural thermal waters with more than 70 pools and wellness experiences. From family-friendly mineral baths to the adults-only Spa Dreaming Centre, this destination immerses visitors in rolling landscapes, fresh air, and the restorative power of warm springs, perfect for a day-long or overnight getaway from the city.
Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa, Hepburn Springs
Best for: full-body relaxation
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Hepburn Bathhouse taps into the rich mineral spring history of Hepburn Springs. With heated mineral pools, magnesium baths, saunas, and cold plunges, it offers a classic spa experience rooted in tradition. While some areas feel nostalgic rather than modern, the serene setting and mineral-rich waters make it a charming stop for those interested in authentic spa culture.
Shizuka Ryokan Japanese Wellness Retreat and Bathhouse, Hepburn
Best for: Ritualised Japanese onsen experiences
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While not strictly a bathhouse, Shizuka Ryokan brings Japanese onsen culture to the heart of Victoria. Set by a tranquil lake, it features outdoor baths, meditative wellness programs, and quiet spaces for reflection. Its intimate scale and attention to detail make it ideal for those looking to combine bathing with mindful practices and a slower pace of wellness. Come for a day, or stay for a weekend.
Soak Bathhouse, South Yarra
Best for: A social soak
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Soak Bathhouse in South Yarra brings a modern, social spin to Melbourne’s bathing scene, inspired by its popular Sydney and Brisbane venues. Its warm magnesium pools, cold plunges, aromatic steam rooms, and cedar saunas are designed for relaxation but also for connection, making it ideal for a post-work unwind with friends. There's also massages and other wellness treatments on offer for those looking to complement their soak.
Pond Bathhouse, Mornington
Best for: A slow, indulgent break
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Nestled in Mornington, Pond Bathhouse is a boutique retreat just over an hour from the city. There are magnesium pools, saunas, steam rooms, and cold plunges, all designed for intentional, unhurried bathing. There's also limited spaces, making each visit feel private and considered. Whether you’re looking for a solo reset or a romantic break for two, Pond encourages guests to slow down.
Aurora Spa & Bathhouse, Sorrento
Best for: Sophisticated, full‑service wellness
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Aurora Spa & Bathhouse in Sorrento blends coastal elegance with true luxury. Guests can move through mineral pools, aroma steam, ice plunges, and warm lounges in a carefully curated sequence that encourages both relaxation and rejuvenation. With thoughtful touches and attention to detail throughout, Aurora is ideal for those seeking a polished, immersive wellness experience that feels as indulgent as it is restorative.
