Baby, it’s getting cold outside! And while stripping down to your birthday suit in the great outdoors may seem counterproductive to staying warm, when there’s a hot tub waiting it makes perfect sense.
Surrounded by mountains, towering native trees, lakes and a blanket of stars, a regular bath at home will seem like a non-event compared to these incredible bathing experiences.
From Swedish wood-fired tubs to good ol’ spas, it’s time to sink into Australia’s best Slow Stays with hot tubs.
Blueberry Bay Cottage
Lymington, TAS
When you’re not cooking up a feast with handpicked produce in the self-contained kitchen, kayaking out front or nursing a full belly from a morning of farm tastings and cider swigging, be sure to carve out time to slip into the hot tub at Blueberry Bay Cottage. Overlooking the bay but completely private with eight acres of natural bushland cocooning the Swedish-inspired bath, this is one soaking experience you’ll need to plan for as pre-heating is required.
Gabarraa Luxury Escape
Tenterfield, NSW
Named after the Indigenous word for sacred stone, Gabarraa takes its cues from the granite boulders and river country that run through this 150-acre NSW property. Set high in the New England Tablelands, the off-grid cabin for two strips things back to what matters – crisp mountain air, a wood-fired hot tub with an endless view, and skies dark enough to make you want to stay up past midnight just to watch them. Wander trails to hidden lookouts, picnic by ancient outcroppings, or simply let the sound of the river do the work. There’s also a private sunset perch, in-house massages and guided morning yoga on offer for those who want to go a little deeper. For those who don’t, the hot tub is reason enough.
Into The Wild Escapes – Tiny Billy
Blue Mountains, NSW
Into The Wild Escapes has made an art of placing beautiful little homes in landscapes worth lingering in, and Tiny Billy – perched above Clarence in the Blue Mountains – is no exception. The family-built tiny home sleeps six and looks out over the ridgeline and the historic Zig Zag Railway, with the occasional steam train drifting past the window if you’re lucky. When the sun drops, the outdoor Ember hot tub calls – though come summer, the same tub doubles as a cold plunge if you’re that way inclined. French linen from Cultiver, St Ali coffee waiting on the bench, and enough bush quiet to hear yourself think. Two hours from Sydney, and a world away from it.
Omina Retreat
Millbank, NSW
Two hundred acres of Mid North Coast bushland, no children, no pets, no noise – just the kind of quiet that takes a day or two to settle into properly. Omina Retreat is an adults-only retreat on Dunghutti country, about 40 minutes from Kempsey, with three beautifully appointed bedrooms, bespoke furnishings and views that you could stare at for an embarrassingly long time. The outdoor hot tub, firepit and sauna are the main event, though it’s hard to say which one you’ll end up spending the most time at. Our bet is all three, in rotation, across however many nights you can manage.
Acre of Roses
Trentham, Vic
This beautifully restored 1860s cottage redefines wellness with an onus on surrendering to your surroundings. Not simply a place to rest your head, everything slows as you sink into the rainwater-filled cedar hot tub, snuggle up by the fire, unroll the supplied yoga mats, and actually do some mindful colouring-in (packs are lovingly created by owner Sandy), rather than just thinking about it. Set on a micro-flower farm in the regional village of Trentham, an hour from Melbourne, the Miner’s Cottage at Acre of Roses might be close to the action but feels light years from stress and responsibilities.
Into The Wild Escapes – Tiny Harper
Metcalfe, Vic
Drive just 60 minutes from Melbourne, into a thicket of native bushland where Tiny Harper resides. Situated amidst the Macedon Ranges, Tiny Harper is a secluded escape with sun-drenched views of iconic Australian formations. Relax in the hot tub under the stars and enjoy being amongst nature. Choose to simply unwind in seclusion or treat yourself to a gourmet breakfast hamper, or charcuterie board as an Add On. You might even spot the beautiful farm dog, Harry, who will welcome you to the property!
This article was first published in April 2022 and was updated in June 2026.