Health and Wellbeing

In Iceland, locals and visitors alike have long gathered in geothermal pools to socialise, reflect, and brave the elements together. Photography: Kate @ Adobe Stock.

Hot springs – the restorative power of Mother Nature

By Emily Clarke

There’s something instinctively comforting about sinking into a steaming hot spring. But beyond the sigh-inducing warmth lies a compelling case for why these natural pools have been revered for centuries. The science is deceptively simple. When you bathe in geothermal waters, your skin absorbs trace minerals that support everything from circulation to skin health. Rich in minerals like magnesium, calcium, sulphur, and silica, hot springs are more than a luxury, they’re a potent prescription from the Earth.

For solo travellers, hot springs offer a rare kind of stillness that heals body and mind. Whether nestled in a remote forest, clinging to a volcanic mountainside, or bubbling away beneath desert skies, these pools invite you to slow down, tune in, and let go, making them a natural companion for those of us seeking solitude and restoration on the road.

Hot springs are steeped in ritual, history, and a deep respect for the natural world. In Japan, the Onsen tradition is centuries old, where quiet etiquette and communal soaking are part of a meditative cultural experience. In Iceland, locals have long gathered in geothermal pools to socialise, reflect, and brave the elements together. Indigenous communities across the globe have viewed hot springs as sacred places of healing and spiritual cleansing. For solo travellers, stepping into these traditions is a reminder that wellness can be deeply communal, even when you’re travelling alone. It’s about honouring the land, listening to your body, and participating in something ancient and enduring.

Peninsula Hot Springs has long stood as a pioneer and leader of Australia's wellness tourism movement. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Peninsula Hot Springs has welcomed over eight million guests from across the globe to relax, recharge and connect, immersed in the natural geothermal waters flowing beneath Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, Australia.

Peninsula Hot Springs is where people can truly return to themselves, a place where the healing power of nature, community, and connection can be felt every day. Photography: Peninsula Hot Springs.

Inspired by ancient traditions and bathing cultures around the world, Peninsula Hot Springs has evolved over two decades into one of the country's most renowned wellness destinations, offering over 70 globally inspired bathing and wellness experiences across 42 acres of tranquil coastal bushland.

“What started as a dream to introduce Australians to the magic of geothermal bathing has become something so much greater”, Charles Davidson, Co-Founder and Co-Owner, tells The Solo Traveller. “We’ve created a space where people can truly return to themselves, a place where the healing power of nature, community, and connection can be felt every day. This celebration is about honouring everyone who has walked this journey with us.”

The hilltop bath house at Peninsula Hot Springs.jpg

The hilltop bath house at Peninsula Hot Springs. Photography: Peninsula Hot Springs.

The grassy coastal bushland that became Peninsula Hot Springs was purchased in 1997 and slowly transformed, with a bold vision to reconnect people to the deep well of their being and the regenerative power of nature. Today, the well-established facility is recognised and loved globally, consistently championing a commitment to the environment, community, and innovation. The site boasts a luxurious spa and wellness centre, glamping accommodation and brand-new Eco-Lodges, immersive cultural programming, and partnerships with over 130 local suppliers that showcase the very best of the Mornington Peninsula.

Customer wellness remains at the heart of the Peninsula Hot Springs experience. The 20-year milestone is not simply a celebration of time passed, but a testament to the enduring values of presence, care, and transformation. “This sanctuary has become a centre of peace, a space where individuals can reconnect with nature, with each other, and with the deeper essence of themselves,” global wellness leader and board member, Bharat Mitra tells us. “As we reflect on this milestone, we are reminded that true wellness emerges from conscious presence and shared intention.”