There’s nothing better than a completely indulgent, off-the-charts luxury spa retreat for relaxing, recharging and refining yourself. 

Whether you’re after a spa at the heart of a bustling metropolis for a high-end city break or you’d rather escape everything for a dose of peace and quiet in the bush or at the beach, there’s something for you in Australia. That’s right, you don’t even have to pack a passport to really get away from it all. 

For best results, we recommend staying a few nights, to maintain that gooey feeling as long as possible. So book in some annual leave and prepare to be more yourself than you’ve ever been.

The Best Luxury Spas in Australia

For a City Break:

Crown Spa Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria

A luxurious escape tucked away on the third floor of the Crown Tower's complex in the heart of Melbourne, Crown Spa Melbourne is softly lit and tastefully decorated in an old-world glamour style. Think marble vanities, elegant chandeliers and gauzy curtains filtering light. 

Your experience begins in reception, from where you can see the 82-foot indoor pool where you can swim a few laps or just lounge beside it with a fresh juice. There’s also a state-of-the-art gym if that’s your thing. But you really come for a treatment and Crown Spa offers a sophisticated network of treatment rooms where a team of skilled therapists offer beauty therapies, body wraps, massages and more. After your treatments, make your way to the relaxation room for champagne and refreshments. 

Try: Rasayana Detox Body Wrap (75 minutes, from $260)

“Beginning with an exfoliation of essential oils, including cinnamon powder and walnut shells, relax as mineral-rich clay infused with spiked ginger lily, spirulina and green tea envelops your body. Aromatic infused body butters, lotions or oils then nourish your body, leaving skin glowing.”

Chi, The Spa, Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney, NSW

In the historic Rocks District, Shangri-La Hotel is one of the most glamorous, old-school hotels in Australia. Chi, The Spa is inspired by the legendary Shangri-La, a place of peace and holistic wellbeing, and the spa menu features an array of massages and treatments designed to bring that peace to visitors. The treatments are based on traditional wellness practices of various Asian cultures, as well as some that showcase Australian healing techniques and botanical ingredients.

The spa offers six spa suites with aroma steam showers and infinity-edge spa baths; three have twin treatment beds for couples and friends’ treatments, and the other three have views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Spa-goers also have access to the indoor pool and, on sunny days, you can enjoy refreshments on the sundeck, which is the perfect spot to enjoy the sunshine.

Try: Aroma Journey Massage (60 minutes, from $195)

“Our aroma relaxing massage applies light-to-medium pressure using Swedish massage techniques to reduce tension, soothe sore muscles and increase circulation. Bespoke aromas used in this massage respond to each individual's needs.”

To Get Back to Nature

Spa Saffire, Saffire Freycinet, Freycinet Peninsula, Tasmania

This incredible resort would be worth a trip even without the exclusive spa attached, but since you’re there, you might as well book a treatment (each guest gets a complimentary spa treatment). Fair warning: there are only three treatment rooms, so book ahead. Treatment rooms look out over bushland courtyards, water features and southern skies. The spa treatments take inspiration from the environment around it, with offerings such as body shaping with volcanic magma, adding sapphire dust to body treatments. 

Try: Saffire Organic Salt Scrub (60 minutes, $210)

“Luxury at its best with La Gaia. A lovely blend of mineral salt, shea butter and lime, combined with our Saffire Signature Aroma. This will leave your skin feeling tantalised, fresh and silky smooth.”

Lost World Spa, Gold Coast Hinterland, Queensland

Away from the Gold Coast’s bustling golden beaches, the lush, forested hinterland is home to the Lost World Spa, perched at the top of the rainforest canopy. In the heart of the heritage-listed Lamington National Park, this charming oasis is the most luxurious part of the O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. The spa boasts seven state-of-the-art treatment rooms with views over the rainforest, a cliff-side infinity pool and the freshest mountain air. The relaxation room, or ‘pouch room’ as they call it, and the cantilevered veranda are the perfect places to wind down after your treatment. 

Try: Vinotherapy Ritual (180 minutes, $365)

“Begin your ritual with a steam and a warm aromatic soak in the tup enhanced by the Lost World Spa’s signature vinotherapy blend. This will slow the mind before a full body exfoliation to soften and smooth skin. Continue your journey with a red grape and clay body mask to firm and nourish whilst enjoying a deeply relaxing scalp massage, then surrender to a full body massage.”

For a Beachside Massage

Osprey Spa, Elements of Byron Resort & Spa, Byron Bay, NSW

Osprey Spa is a shrine to relaxation, all-natural wood, soft sunlight and whitewashed surfaces. The relaxation lounge is furnished with four-poster day beds fashioned from found timbers and made up with soft white linen. 

A curtain of crystals hangs from a skylight and the room is full of greenery. This is the kind of place that morning yoga beside the ocean is included in every room, and the focus of the spa now covers everything from star gazing to flotation therapy and even horse riding. The emphasis is on organic products from Australian spa brands iKOU and LaGaia, as well as mantras, mindfulness and holistic wellness.

Try: Osprey Signature Massage (1 hour 30 minutes, $195)

“This glorious full body journey promotes the transfer of energy back into the body, combining a pressure point sequence and lymphatic breath with a La Gaia Beauty Balm Full Body Massage.”

Spa Qualia, Qualia, Whitsundays, Queensland

Most of the treatments performed at Spa Qualia are part of package experiences lasting two to three hours. It’s no wonder guests have trouble choosing just one from the staggering range. 

Along with facials, massages and scrubs, there are also personal training, meditation and yoga sessions on offer. The ultra-luxurious pavilion-style spa has a generously sized relaxation area where you can curl up with a soothing cup of tea before or after your treatment. There’s a reason this was named the best luxury resort in the world in 2012. Yes, the world. 

Try: Warm Stone Massage (90 minutes, $295)

“Dissolve away stress and tension with the weight and warmth of smooth, naturally formed basalt stones. Rhythmic massage combining flowing Hawaiian style lomi lomi techniques with warm stones gliding over the skin, pressure point stone placement and vibrational elements will melt away muscle tension.”

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Author Bio:

Hannah Warren

Hannah was born in New Zealand and is based wherever she can set down a laptop. She's been playing with words since she could first pick up a pen, and in her spare time she's a pole dancer, pasta glutton and dog mum.

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