Private Rooftop Pools and a Hidden Bathe Cave: How To Spend a Day at New Victorian Hot Springs and Spa Alba

Arriving at the Mornington Peninsula’s highly anticipated, just-opened Alba Thermal Springs and Spa, you’ll be greeted by a curved concrete, almost otherworldly building, which stands tall amid Fingal’s lush green wilderness. The recently completely project – set on 15 hectares – is home to 31 different bathing pools, 22 elegant spa treatment rooms and a restaurant curated by celebrity chef Karen Martini. A destination in and of itself, it’s deserving of a dedicated daytrip. Here’s what it’s like to spend a day at Alba.

The springs
First things first, you’ll be escorted to the spacious change rooms and given a locker – where your phone will remain during your visit. There, find slippers, Vanessa Megan skincare products, and a robe so fluffy you’ll want to live in it.

Now (un)dressed and ready to head to Rancho Relaxo, I step out into the brisk October air and start my spa tour. I kick it off at the base, looking out onto all the pools scattered across the cascading hills. There are geothermal pools, cold-plunge pools and herbal-infused “botanical pools”. And right up top, a hidden cave pool with views over the region. Hopping quickly from one to the other, I let my body thaw in the steamy minerals and then cool down in a lukewarm plunge pool, which adjusts its temperature based on the weather. Some are all about socialising, others are intimately tucked away.

The private, bookable bathing experiences include a rooftop geothermal or salt pool (where you can float weightless), as well as secluded springs throughout the property. There’s also an invigorating “rain” pool, where you’ll walk through a circular wall of water to access the pool.

The spa
Heading inside, I make my way up the dramatic spiral staircase to the spa lounge, where I take a seat among concrete pillars on a cushy oversized daybed overlooking the expanse. Sipping on herbal tea – served in a gorgeous ceramic cup made by a local ceramist – I fill in the pre-treatment form, including a questionnaire to find out my primary doshas (an Ayurvedic term that refers to “that which can cause problems”).

More than 35 treatments are available at Alba, including indulgent full- and half-day experiences and a variety of facials, massages, scrubs, wraps and even scalp therapy. There’s also a Vichy shower, which has seven jets that both massage and cleanse the body while you lie flat.

As my hour-long massage begins, the room is engulfed by the soothing scent of botanical oils. And my therapist gets to work on my entire body with a combination of heated volcanic stones, rocking movements and the dreamiest head rub I’ve ever had. The hot stones are a game changer, kneading right into the knots in my neck, shoulders and back. By the end of the treatment, I was in a semi-levitative state.

The restaurant
After a second, post-massage herbal tea, it’s time for lunch at Alba’s all-day restaurant, Thyme, headed up by Hero ’s Karen Martini. It’s an indoor-outdoor affair. And after starting with a tangy mocktail, the celebrity chef’s simple-seeming but expertly balanced snacks keep on coming.

You might find house ocean-trout gravlax with a soft-boiled egg, caviar pearls and caperberries. Or a creamy ball of burrata plonked atop melon slithers and heirloom tomatoes, in burnt-honey balsamic. Or Skull Island prawn toast with wasabi mayo.

But the star of the show is undoubtedly the crumbed-fish sandwich, a Japanese spin on the one from Hero. Two hands are necessary to attack the saucy creation, stacked up with iceberg and butter lettuce, shiso, pickled ginger and lashings of nori tartare.

After a languid lunch at Thyme, I leave Alba full – but completely relaxed and rejuvenated – wishing I could stay longer. Which is something you’ll soon be able to do; Alba’s phase two, set to open next year, includes luxury on-site accommodation.

Alba Thermal Springs and Spa
282 Browns Rd, Fingal

Hours:
Springs
Daily 7am–10pm (last arrival 9pm)

Private springs
Daily 9am–10pm (last arrival 9pm)

Spa
Daily 10am–7pm (last arrival 6pm)

Restaurant
Daily 7am–10pm

albathermalsprings.com.au