'I stayed at the "best hot springs in the world". They're only 90 minutes from Melbourne.'

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We're not even four weeks into 2026, but is anyone else feeling like they need a holiday?

As much as I'd love to jet off to Japan or spend a week in Bali, the need to work a job and pay bills means it's not realistic. But one of my 2026 goals is to plot out a few local long weekends to look forward to.

Think: Within two hours of home, reasonably budget-friendly and a short-yet-maxo relaxo itinerary. Who's with me?

Watch: Going away? Here are my warm weather packing essentials, post continues below.

Google 'things to do in Melbourne' and I guarantee you'll find hot springs near the top of the list.

Victoria's Mornington Peninsula is known for them (alongside dreamy beaches, top-tier wineries and hidden coastal towns). Alba has the whole ultra modern, urban luxe-style thing covered, and The Intercontinental Sorrento's Aurora Spa does indoor bathing.

Then there's Peninsula Hot Springs; an oldie but a goodie. It's one of Melbourne's most iconic hot springs — and now, the world's.

Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs was recently awarded 'Best Luxury Hot Springs – Global Winner' at the 2025 The World Luxury Spa Awards.

So off I went to find out how much relaxation I could fit into an overnight stay; no annual leave required.

24 hours at the Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs.

Not mad about this private hot spring. Image: Supplied.

Tourists and day trippers have been visiting the Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs for decades.

If you want to sit shoulder to shoulder with strangers in warm water, visit during peak times (school holidays, long weekends).

My recommendation? Plan your hot springs day trip for a random weekday — booking for autumn and winter is a great hack! — or off-peak time slots in the early morning or late evening.

But the biggest hack of all is turning your hot springs day trip into an overnight stay or weekend away by staying on-site or close by (check out AirBnB and Booking.com for Mornington Peninsula accommodation options).

Getting to the Peninsula Hot Springs.

Just a couple of city folk ready to relax. Image: Supplied.

The Peninsula Hot Springs is a 90-minute drive from Melbourne on a good day; travel in peak-hour traffic and expect it to take closer to two hours.

It's an easy drive with plenty of Mornington Peninsula towns to stop at if you fancy a coffee, winery stop or lunch break. An Arthur's Seat lookout gondola ride is a nice thing to do once in your life. Coffee at Dromana or a tipple at one of the many local wineries (my fave is Red Hill Estate) works, too.

Where we stayed.

More of this in 2026. Image: Supplied.

Staying in the Peninsula Hot Springs Glamping and Eco Lodge accommodations unlocks a few perks that aren't standard for day trippers.

Both come with access to the Spa Dreaming Centre (aka adults-only saunas and bathing), a 'wellness activity' of your choice and Moonlight Bathing 'til 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Views of the 'glamping' (top) and the walk to the Eco Lodges (bottom). Image: Supplied.

The 'glamping tents' start at $650 per night and are mini luxury self-contained apartments with king-size beds, room service, WiFi and fully functioning heating and cooling, heated floors, en suite bathrooms and lounge deck areas with bushland views.

My husband and I are lucky buggers; we stayed in one of the ultra-luxe Eco Lodges.

Inside our Eco Lodge. Image: Supplied.

The Springs Rooms (from $790.50 per night) have a private outdoor bath. The Peninsula Suites (from $1147.50 per night) have their own hot spring.

They're all designed around optimising deep sleep and rest, with sleep aids, guided sleep rituals, blackout blinds and custom lighting options, along with private indoor-outdoor lounge areas and bathing options with the geothermal water.

Obsessed. Image: Supplied.

Where we spent most of our time. Image: Supplied.

Everything looks far away on the site map, but it actually takes less than five minutes to walk from the private onsite accommodation check-in area to the public bathing and Spa Dreaming Centre.

And even though check out is 10am, you get access to all the bathing and hot springs facilities from the moment you check in, to the end of the day you check out.

Where we "bathed".

The privacy is unmatched. Image: Supplied.

A lot of time was spent dipping in and out of our private hot spring, but we ventured through some of the 50 different outdoor baths that sit between 34°C and 42°C.

The geothermal water comes from 637 metres underground and is rich in minerals like boron, magnesium, potassium and sodium.

This is why some of the showers and pools have a slight funky mineral aroma to them, but it's good for you.

Venturing out into the public bathing areas. Image: Supplied.

Be warned: The baths are packed during peak periods; make use of the Spa Dreaming Centre for a more peaceful soak with a side of massage pools, cold plunges, and infrared and wood saunas. We also did a guided Fire & Ice sauna and cold plunge experience, because why the heck not?

It's definitely worth doing at least a lap of the public baths, though. For example, the Hilltop Pool has a pretty special panoramic view of Mornington Peninsula bushland.

The view from the Hilltop Pool. Image: Supplied.

Where we ate.

This is where things got interesting.

Along with room service, there are three different dining options: Amphitheatre Café (lunch vibes), Bath House Café & Bar (all-day drinks and nibbles) and Spa Dreaming Centre dining room (à la carte restaurant).

I'd seen photos of people having dinner at the restaurant in their bathrobes, so my husband and I decided to give it a crack. With our bathers on underneath… we're not animals.

Honestly, the people eating in regular clothes looked out of place.

Accommodation guests can have their included buffet breaky in the restaurant, too.

This is living. Image: Supplied.

Final verdict:

If you're after a relaxing weekend away that's close enough to Melbourne to be convenient, but feels like you're in the middle of a nature reserve… and don't mind being in your bathers 90 per cent of the time, this could be it.

Feature image: Supplied.

Mamamia travelled as a guest of Peninsula Hot Springs. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's own.