Alba Thermal Springs & Spa

Overview

Located on 15 tranquil, rolling bushland hectares in the heart of Fingal, this modern wellness sanctuary has been years in the making. And Alba Thermal Springs & Spa is a certified stunner; from the majestic main spa building with its grand curves, to the thermal baths nestled throughout the grounds.

If bathing is on the agenda, you'll find 31 idyllic pools, each one built for a different purpose and carefully integrated into its own immediate landscape, right down to the choice of native flora surrounding it.

Forming a trail down the hill known as The Hemisphere, they range from the secluded to the more social; with everything from botanical-infused baths to icy plunge pools. One might feel like you're stepping into an Ancient Roman bath, while another envelops you with high walls carving out your own private view of the skies above. A steam room and sauna sit up here, too.

Back down in the main building, the onsite spa is a serene and oh-so-stylish escape, complete with 22 treatment rooms and a zen relaxation lounge where you can kick back on a daybed in that post-pamper glow. The spa offers a hefty range of facial and body treatments, built around both Vanessa Megan's award-winning Aussie-made nutraceutical products and Aika Wellness Ayurvedic skincare. There's also a Vichy shower, a steam room, and a dedicated manicure and pedicure suite.

Only building on how good you're guaranteed to feel after a bathing session or massage here, is the onsite restaurant Thyme helmed by renowned chef Karen Martini. A lofty indoor-outdoor space overlooking the pools, it's an all-day affair, championing local produce via a menu filled with plates designed to both satisfy and nourish.

Images: Chris-McConville