75 Metung Hot Springs – A Five-Star Wellness Experience

METUNG HOT SPRINGS

A FIVE-STAR WELLNESS EXPERIENCE

EAST GIPPSLAND’S ICONIC NEW MUST-SEE DESTINATION MADE A STUNNING ENTRANCE INTO THE TOURISM/HOSPITALITY AND LIFESTYLE MARKET IN NOVEMBER.

WORDS: CHRIS WEST

IMAGES KINDLY SUPPLIED BY METUNG HOT SPRINGS

From the moment you step inside the welcoming environs of Metung Hot Springs, you get the feeling you are entering somewhere quite special; a place where you can be in harmony with nature and escape all the constant stresses of contemporary living.

Guests began experiencing this pleasure for themselves following the eagerly anticipated opening of the new attraction on Friday, 18th November.

The first stage of the multi-faceted project has delivered a truly stunning mix of hot springs bathing options, spa treatment and accommodation facilities in the most spectacular setting overlooking Lake King. The water views provided a combination of the site’s 700 metres of lake frontage and the internal lagoon within Metung Hot Springs are simply incredible.

Metung Hot Springs Director of Operations, Rachel Bromage says the response from guests since the facility opened to the public has been overwhelming.

“Accommodation reservations for our luxurious glamping tents were fully booked out for the opening weekend well in advance. Our bathing pools were also in maximum demand from a combination of advance bookings and walk-in visitors on the day. Similarly, treatments in our Banksia Spa Dome were also fully subscribed from the outset,” she reports.

“Guests have been describing our bathing experiences, glamping accommodation and spa treatments as next level. The feedback we have received since opening suggests that everyone has left our premises feeling happier and far more invigorated than when they arrived, which is exactly our aim! Our food and beverage offering has also been very successful and extremely well received.”

Metung Hot Springs also operate the adjacent Metung Country Club, creating a newly developed, unique hub combining wellness experiences with golf and hospitality in the same neighbourhood precinct.

Whether visiting for the day or an overnight guest, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice at Metung Hot Springs. Regardless of which type of experience you are seeking, all facilities on site are easily located and accessed. Ample change rooms and toilets are provided, along with a café and retail outlet at the entrance point. Once inside and ready to immerse yourself in a blissful oasis, the first experience you’ll encounter in the Bathing Ridge is the Reflexology Walk. Also dotted along the hillside slopes of the Bathing Ridge are several prime stopping points including the Hill View Pool and nearby Hill View Sauna. Adjacent to the sauna are geothermal showers and a cold plunge pool providing an outlet for invigorating hot and cold therapy.

As you move between the various locations in Bathing Ridge it is impossible not to notice the magnificent large rocks featured in the landscaping design, many of which were sourced locally in East Gippsland from Buchan and Bruthen.

All the facilities and attractions at Metung Hot Springs have been strategically positioned to capitalise on the magnificent water views at every opportunity, but there is also a dedicated viewing deck with signage providing informative details about the story behind Metung Hot Springs, the vision and plans for the project, and the history of the former local hot pools.

Follow the pathway a little further up the hillside and you’ll reach the Banksia Spa Dome, a boutique day spa facility reserved exclusively for guests aged 16 and above.

Guests are pampered with massages and hot stone treatments in this tranquil relaxation space which embraces authentic Larn’wa Aboriginal Lore wellness rituals and native botanical spa creations to enhance the bathing and spa experiences.

All day spa treatments at Metung Hot Springs are designed to cleanse, refresh, restore and balance your body. Staff highly recommend guests try the Munda – an extremities treatment for the face, hands and feet.

Located between the day spa and the lagoon is the glamping accommodation consisting initially of the first 10 safari-style tents spread across two separate zones – Hillside glamping and Lagoon glamping. As its name suggests, Lagoon glamping has waterside positioning.

Both options offer five-star accommodation in a private setting which has been carefully tailored to a level of detail and quality that will exceed all expectations. Nothing has been overlooked in providing all that is needed for a truly unforgettable stay.

All tents are fully equipped with split system air conditioning and a palatial four-poster King bed to ensure a restful sleep at any time of the year. Each tent includes an ensuite, bar fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, crockery and cutlery, plus the added allure of two private deckside bathing barrels which provide the finishing touch to the perfect couples’ experience.

The luxurious glamping accommodation at Metung Hot Springs provides the ideal opportunity for guests to put their technology devices away and be at one with nature.

Another setting guaranteed to awaken your senses is the Hilltop Escarpment, an exclusive bathing domain for visitors aged 16 and above, which offers the best vantage point on the site.

This area features a Stargazing Pool, seven individual bathing barrels and the larger Spotted Gum barrel in which to soak. As is the case with all the bathing facilities at Metung Hot Springs, the geothermal water is drawn from more than 500 metres below the earth’s surface and naturally infused with minerals and trace elements to add to its detoxifying and rejuvenating qualities.

The views across Lake King from the Hilltop Escarpment are simply jawdropping and should not be missed in any visit to Metung Hot Springs. When making a reservation, it is highly recommended to ensure your package includes access to this exclusive, showpiece area.

Managing Director, Adrian Bromage says he and Rachel felt an array of emotions when Metung Hot Springs opened its doors to the public for the first time.

“There was a huge sense of pride at what we’ve accomplished but also a slice of relief,” he suggests.

“A lot of blood, sweat and tears has gone into getting to this point. There has been plenty of external challenges along the way, many beyond our control, including Covid restrictions, supply chain issues, materials shortages and more than our share of unfavourable weather at times.” Adrian says one of the crucial factors in the successful planning of Metung Hot Springs has been staging the project appropriately to be able to continue to evolve while staying operational.

“We’ve prepared for the future. So much of our infrastructure work is actually underground and out of sight, so nobody notices. All that structural work to allow our future growth is already done,” he notes.

Rachel describes the opening of Metung Hot Springs as the realisation of a long-held dream.

“This really has been fifteen years in the making since we first thought about the idea of reviving hot springs bathing in this village,” she says.

“Looking at what we have here now, I think the reality has turned out even better than our original vision!”

Rachel says the excitement was also shared by the entire staff at Metung Hot Springs who all invested so much energy and effort into the opening.

“We have an amazingly talented and dedicated team, and couldn’t have done it without them,” she comments.

In bringing Metung Hot Springs to life, the Bromages have collaborated with Charles Davidson, co-creator of the hugely successful Peninsula Hot Springs on the Mornington Peninsula.

In addition to Metung and the Mornington Peninsula sites, Charles and his group partners are also the visionaries behind a hot springs facility at Maruia on the South Island of New Zealand and have two more under construction at Phillip Island and Cunnamulla in South West Queensland, which are both scheduled to open next year.

“We always knew this site we found here at Metung was perfect. Our intent then became working out how best to fit the people into the natural environment,” Charles comments.

“From all the sites we have, I think Metung has the most community building potential. These springs can transform the area into a wellnessled community. The location of our site and its uniqueness in the region will ensure that Metung Hot Springs will not only be noticed but will make a big difference to the local community,” he suggests.

Charles is a passionate advocate for wellness and promoting healthy, happy communities.

“Wellness is a term that can often be misunderstood. It simply equates to a feeling of wholeness and happiness. Good health is always the best reward,” he says.

“Hot springs bathing provides a setting where people of any age – young and old – can connect. Facilities like ours bring those community connections with nature and wellbeing all together.

“We are interested in measuring the social, environmental and economic impact Metung Hot Springs has on the local community going forward and will continue to observe and learn from the people who visit here.”

Charles, Adrian and Rachel all look upon the opening as just the beginning for Metung Hot Springs. Their attention now immediately turns to the next phase of the project.

Stage 1B will deliver more bathing pools, along with additional guest amenities and facilities in the coming months.

Further into the future, Stage 2 of the project will add again to the bathing pool and accommodation options. Also planned is an Amphitheatre and other amenities that will significantly increase the capacity at Metung Hot Springs from what it is today.

Ultimately, the project is planned to culminate in the future creation of a resort and marina as its crowning showpiece. The timing of the delivery of these future stages is dependent upon funding and subject to the necessary approvals.

More immediately, Charles highlights some innovative networking initiatives in the pipeline that will be available through Metung Hot Springs. “We are starting a Hot Springs Holiday Rental business, so we’d invite anyone with a property that they would like managed to speak with us. We will be able to utilise our network to help secure rental bookings,” he reveals.

“Also coming soon is a concept we are implementing called Metung Concierge, which will act like a hotel concierge service with a booking office connecting to all the wellness and wellbeing related activities in the region.”

The team at Metung Hot Springs encourage everyone to plan a visit as soon as possible or treat someone you love to the world class, multifaceted wellbeing experience that awaits all guests.

A Metung Hot Springs gift voucher makes the perfect Christmas or birthday present, or just as a special treat for someone you’d really like to spoil at any time. Vouchers are also redeemable at any of the other hot springs locations within the company’s wider group.

“We’ve opened at a really good time of the year in readiness for the Summer peak,” Rachel says.

“Hot springs are the perfect year-round experience and we are open 365 days a year, however, it is always recommended that people make a booking first as daily visitor numbers are capped to prevent overcrowding.” With the facility now open and the secret out about Metung Hot Springs, Rachel invites everyone to share in the experience.

“There are so many exciting things still to come and we’re looking forward to taking people, including our staff, but more importantly the local community, on the journey with us.”

For general information, reservation enquiries, news updates and everything else you need to know about Metung Hot Springs, you can connect via any of the following platforms:

METUNG HOT SPRINGS

73 Storth Ryes Avenue, Metung Phone: (03) 5141 2300 Email: info@metunghotsprings.com Web: www.metunghotsprings.com

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