'I attended the spa at the centre of The Block scandal. Here’s my honest review.'

The Block is putting Daylesford on the map in a big way — not that it ever left.

Nestled in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, Daylesford is known as the spa capital of Australia. For Victorians and people around this country, it's the perfect weekend getaway for some quiet moments of relaxation and rejuvenation. 

Its reputation in the wellness space dates back to the 1850s gold rush, when the region was discovered to have the highest concentration of natural mineral springs in the country. 

And there's no better place to relax than at the historic Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa, a wellness institution where The Block contestants have renovated five of its luxurious bathing rooms. 

I had the pleasure of being invited to stay at the spa recently, and yes, I got a sneak peek at the final rooms weeks before they were revealed. I even got to use one of the rooms for a private bath.

I selected Robby and Mat's final bathing room, and I was able to select a calming concoction of bath salts and serums infused with mandarin, pink grapefruit, magnesium and lavender as I soaked away the day's stresses.

Image: Supplied.

The room was gorgeous — I felt like I was transported to a bathhouse in Marrakesh. I was also treated to possibly the greatest facial I've ever had.

As the name suggests, Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa is known for its hydrotherapy, which it has been casually doing since 1895.

Guests can bathe in mineral-rich waters drawn directly from the natural source, and there are loads of weather-protected pools with floor-to-ceiling views of the leafy Spring Creek banks.

A core memory for me will be swimming in one of the pools, watching rosellas perch in the trees as wellness experts handed out cold-pressed towels infused with aromatic essential oils. Who am I? I was meant to live this life!

The bathhouse also has so many options; I was spoiled for choice. There's spa pool that features reclining chairs with jets to massage your aching joints; you could be brave and try an invigorating plunge into our cold pool, or do a cleansing mineral hammam and aroma steam.

To be clear, I'm not a 'spa person'. I think I could count on one hand the number of times I've indulged in a spa, but I get it now. What a vibe. A new level of zen has been unlocked.

Then there's the accommodation, which umm… really speaks for itself.

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I stayed in one of their Wellness Villas, and I truly never wanted to leave. The villa is made for rejuvenation with yoga mats and blocks, wellness concierge, meditation apps, bath salts and scrubs for your spa (yes, you get your own jetted spa), as well as a cute little wellness note pad to journal in.

But there are plenty of other rooms, retreats and luxury accommodation packages to choose from.

My favourite detail was the breakfast hamper that was waiting for me when I arrived. It was filled with local produce, ready for me to spend my first morning in Hepburn Springs cooking up a storm and fuelling my body for the day.

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After a day of relaxation, I had dinner at Sault Estate, a Daylesford institution that prides itself on its farm-to-fork ethos. The restaurant overlooks the town's iconic lavender fields (Instagram boyfriends, gird your loins for this).

The menu is as good as it gets, and owner Jodi Flockhart welcomed me with an array of the season's best dishes, with many of the ingredients grown on their own farm.

As I enjoyed every thoughtful course, I gazed out the window to see kangaroos nibbling at the grass below. Straya, right!

But Sault's menu, food, wine list and ambience are so exquisite, you'd think you were in Tuscany or French countryside. It's truly a transportive experience. Literally everything I ate was utterly delicious, with the minerals in Daylesford soil enhancing the flavour. 

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Sault is just one of a huge array of fine dining establishments that set Daylesford apart from other charming regional towns.

The region is also known for its cool-climate wines, with several boutique wineries offering cellar door tastings.

It almost feels like a mini Italy in the middle of Victoria. The influence of Swiss-Italian immigrants who settled in the area during the 19th century is all around in the local culture and architecture.

In particular, Lavandula Farm, Villa Parma and The Old Macaroni Factory (the first pasta-making factory in Australia) all feature trademark Italian stone buildings.

Along with its unique architecture and culinary culture, Daylesford is known for its vibrant artistic community, with a bunch of art galleries, studios, and antique shops that showcase the work of local and national artists.

So whether you're visiting a gallery, exploring the town's picturesque streets, or in my case, getting my zen back at Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa, Daylesford is not to be missed.

Come for the girlie spa destination, stay for a little taste of Italy in our own backyard.

Mamamia travelled as a guest of Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's own.

Feature image: Supplied.