A new hot springs facility and day spa destination has opened in Victoria, Australia, complete with a 3,500sq m two-level spa and 31 thermal pools.

Called Alba Thermal Springs and Spa, the carbon-neutral destination has opened within 15 hectares of landscaped property in Fingal on the Mornington Peninsula.

Alba is an Australian company owned by a consortium of investors under the management of general manager Craig Dodd.

A bounty of bathing options
The destination is home to a selection of indoor, open-air and outdoor pools ranging in size. These include geothermal pools, cold plunge pools, rooftop salt baths and herbal-infused botanical pools, as well as a rain pool, forest pools and Eve – the sunset pool.

Enriched with naturally occurring minerals, all pools are filled daily with geothermal water naturally heated between 37-43°C in underground aquifers 550m below the surface.

With both private and social bathing spaces on offer, each pool has been designed to blend into the natural setting. Some pools are submerged in a flowering meadow, some are created as apertures to the sky while others are nestled in between waving grasses.

In the higher reaches of the site, The Hemisphere area provides bathers with tranquil hidden gardens, a semi-enclosed geothermal pool – called The Hide, a cold plunge pool and access to a steamroom and sauna.

Alba has opened only a short distance away from Australia’s established Peninsula Hot Springs wellness facility.

The new day spa
Alba’s spa is home to 22 treatment rooms – including both single and double rooms – as well as those equipped with a steamroom and Vichy shower.

The spa complex features a separate manicure and pedicure suite in addition to a relaxation lounge on the mezzanine level of the main building. This area features private booths and sprawling day beds overlooking the property’s extensive native gardens.

Spa Vision, Protea Distribution and Comfortel were brought on board to help supply the spa’s furniture and equipment, while Aquarius Pools helped to realise thermal and hydrotherapy facilities.

Including a variety of facial and body treatments, the spa menu features rituals supplied by Australian-made products created by Vanessa Megan and her Naturaceutical range, alongside Australia-based Ayurvedic beauty brand Victorian Aika Wellness.

Craig Dodd, Alba GM, says: “Our opening is a culmination of years of planning and hard work.

“I offer my sincere thanks to our design and construction teams, our amazing team of wellbeing practitioners and tourism experts and the local community for supporting us. We’re very excited to welcome local, national and international visitors.”

Dodd worked alongside industry consultant and director at Spa Wellness Consulting, Sonja Sorich, to create the spa’s treatment menu and select its partners.

Sustainability
Alba is operating with multiple sustainability practices such as rainwater collection for irrigation, solar power, limited use/retail of plastic items, a local employee base and protecting the natural ecosystem that surrounds the location.

Alba has also been offsetting its emissions using carbon footprint tracking company Trace since opening.

“Alba is proud of its commitment to respect the natural environment and have a positive impact on the community it calls home,” says Dodd.

“Regenerating remnant native bushland and enhancing the existing coastal Moonah woodland is a key element of Alba’s long-term vision for the landscape.

“The team has even engaged a nearby indigenous nursery to collect seed and propagate plants of local provenance. This will not only help replace species lost due to past farming practices but also encourage visitation and colonisation from a wide diversity of birds, insects and native wildlife.”

Additional facilities
Positioned in the heart of the complex, Alba’s restaurant Thyme is situated on a terrace with indoor and outdoor seating offering guests restful views across the water feature and pools to the native gardens and surrounding bushland.

Leading Australian chef, Karen Martini has created an all-day menu that features fresh dishes made with locally sourced, seasonal produce.

According to Dodd, the next step will be to add a small number of luxury villas to Alba.