Spa Country
Spa Country is the elegant lifestyle group, representing the best in Daylesford, Hepburn Springs and Clunes hospitality. Each business within the group is interconnected with the heritage and mineral water of Australia’s most famous spa region. An ambience of pure glamour is reflected throughout Spa Country, from magnificently restored historical architecture, to the luxurious day spa and boutique bottled mineral water.
The businesses within the Spa Country group include:
- Peppers Mineral Springs Retreats
- Villa Parma
- Mineral Spa
- Mineral Spa Villas
- Dayget Retreats (Formerly Daylesford Getaways)
- Birch Club
- Birch Estate
- Spring Creek Mineral Water
Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat
Originally built in 1935, what began as a guest house and country pub, has evolved into an romantically elegant, boutique hotel. The philosophy of Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat is a belief that everyone needs a calm, luxuriously comfortable and re-energising haven in their lives. Our Retreat creates this haven through the highest standard in accommodation, genuinely caring for guests, authentic healthy and healing cuisine, all with empathy for the surrounding natural, rural beauty.
Our commitment to being a restorative haven has been recently endorsed by being included as one of the Healing Hotels of the World and listed in the beautiful Mr. & Mrs. Smith guides. We are rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the most stylish, must-visit destinations in regional Victoria.
ACCOMMODATION
Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat is particularly unique for its diversity of accommodation. There are four types of rooms across the property; Hotel Rooms, Garden Rooms, Mineral Spa Villas and Villa Parma. (See separate Overview sections for details on Mineral Spa Villas and Villa Parma)
In the main hotel, located on the upper floor of the original building, there are four different style rooms: Traditional, Spa Rooms, Superior Rooms and Terrace Room. Finished in modern décor, these heritage rooms also echo the past with original character features such as sash windows and Art Deco lamps. Many of the rooms have antique fireplaces, balconies and romantic two person spa baths.
Tucked away in privacy behind the Hotel, are the Garden Rooms. Spacious interiors provide a sense of warmth and vibrancy, with extra-comfortable beds, modern cane lounge chairs, original art work and custom designed lighting. All Garden Rooms have their own private terrace, some featuring private outdoor spa pools.
GARDENS
The property is surrounded by picturesque gardens; most spectacular are the formal Italian gardens, complete with a manicured miniature hedge maze. This is a tribute to the beautifully groomed palazzo gardens of Europe, and the original gardens of the grounds back in 1864. Wander through the gardens via crushed white pebble paths, with ambient lighting during evenings; making it the perfect scene for a romantic stroll after dinner. Tall majestic poplar trees line the path concealing secret garden sanctuaries - delightfully private settings for picnics, BBQ’s, cocktail parties and wedding ceremonies. Other, more informal gardens inhabit the area in a colourful display of Australian natives.
DINING
The distinguished Wild Birch restaurant (previously the award winning DECO restaurant) is presided over by Executive Chef, Dwayne Bourke; widely acclaimed for his talent in creating inspired dishes; infusing European elegance with Australian inventiveness and wild country flavours.
GROUPS, EVENTS & CONFERENCES
Catering for Weddings, Celebrations and small to large conference groups is a Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat specialty. There is a large conference room which can seat up to 80, plus two smaller conference rooms and a private board room/dining room for up to 12 guests. Indoor and outdoor spaces can all be utilized; whether it's casual pre-dinner drinks in the bar, outdoor BBQ's on warm summer evenings, exclusive use of the covered back terrace, garden parties, or special lunches and dinners in the Villa Parma cellar.
Mineral Spa
Mineral Spa is an idyllic rural restorative haven; one of the largest and most acclaimed rural day spas in Australia.
Mineral Spa has been specifically designed as a sanctuary of healing and relaxation; connecting body and spirit to the earth's natural elements and offering powerful healing and beauty treatments to re-invigorate and restore. Therapists, each with their own area of expertise and selected for their healing hands and calming spirits, ensure that every guest experiences a beautiful and personal spa experience; with individual consultations and exclusive specialist treatments.
As part of its philosophy for integrating healing through earth’s natural elements, Mineral Spa has harnessed the power of mineral water, unlike any other spa in Australia. The spa’s key feature of healing through water is The Retreat; a mineral water therapy zone following in the healing traditions of the famous mineral spas throughout Europe. Tucked in a private and peaceful indoor/outdoor corner of the spa, The Retreat comprises two 100% mineral water spas, a cold plunge pool, steam room, infra-red detox box and the only lavender-infused basalt stone sauna in the Southern Hemisphere.
Water continues as a healing theme that runs throughout the entire spa, with highlights such as the 180 power jet massaging Hydro baths and Australasia’s only Soft Pack Floatation Beds.
Signature treatments are by the prestigious spa specialist, Pevonia Botanica. The Spa Menu is extensive and includes specialist healing treatments such as pregnancy and oncology massags.
In keeping with the sense of tranquillity, Mineral Spa is architecturally designed to reflect the environment and landscape, creating an ambience of healing; suffused with natural light shimmering across white stone walls, enhanced by the soothing sound of flowing water, and breathtaking views into the countryside.
Mineral Spa Villas
The Mineral Spa Villas redefine contemporary architecture in rural Australia. Using a simple palette of materials, such as corrugated iron, concrete and timber, they stand as rich sculptural objects that both respond to and enhance the wider landscape. Design influences follow in the tranquil, restorative nature of the adjacent Mineral Spa, allowing body and mind to rebalance away from the stresses of daily life.
Dramatic interior spaces maximize function with an inherent sense of luxury, warmth and comfort. Rustic, patina surfaces, including some villas with under-heated concrete floors, coexist with layers of textures; from oversized plush rugs to soft fur bed throws and deep leather sofas.
This is the perfect environment to experience the gentler ways of country life. Set in amongst landscaped Australian native gardens and wild bush. These self-contained one and two bedroom Villas have the feeling of a harmonious home; guests can relax on balconies and terraces with a glass of local wine, or indulge in quiet evenings basking in the ambient glow of a cosy fire. Well appointed kitchens offer every convenience to prepare fresh produce from farmers markets and can be served on spacious dining tables.
Generous space has been considered throughout; with large open plan living area, spacious bedrooms, luxurious bathrooms and spa baths. Mineral Spa Villas are all about relaxation and provide guests with a private place to recuperate and an escape the stresses of everyday life.
Villa Parma
Villa Parma has stood as an iconic landmark in Hepburn Springs for almost 150 years. From grand beginnings as a stately family home, built in 1864, surrounded by gardens and vineyards, Villa Parma has transitioned through time as a guest house, bed and breakfast and even a restaurant. Today, the heritage listed building, is regularly inhabited by families and celebration groups as luxuriously comfortable accommodation, with fine banqueting in the underground cellar.
In 2006, owners Chris Malden and Wayne Cross restored Villa Parma to its original Italian Palazzo inspired state, breathing new life into one of Hepburn Springs’ oldest buildings. Utilizing the existing architectural template, they created a carefully considered and beautifully crafted amalgamation of untold history, with astonishing contemporary elegance.
Split over two levels, Villa Parma has four substantial bedrooms, all with en-suites and chic heritage Italian-inspired décor. The front door opens onto a grand dining room, with antique wooden table and chairs under an elegant chandelier. Tucked in behind the dining room is a modern kitchen, which can be stocked in advance before guests arrive, or a fully catered meal can be arranged to be delivered from Wild Birch. Forming the heart of the upper floor is a spacious, yet cosy living room with large, deep leather sofas and modern entertainment systems.
The historical details all tell a story; it’s easy to imagine the lady of the house gazing out one of the original wooden bedroom windows, or feather quill scratching away correspondence at the old writing desk.
Every week Villa Parma creates new stories and memories; as a much sought after venue for wedding parties, milestone birthdays, anniversaries, and groups of friends gathering together for special occasions.
Dayget Retreats (formerly Daylesford Getaways)
From humble beginnings as a handful of holiday rental villas built by founders Chris Malden and Wayne Cross, Dayget Retreats (previously Daylesford Getaways) has grown into a business which boasts a portfolio of more than 180 of the most stylish properties in Daylesford and Macedon Ranges.
The philosophy is 'Slow Life' where guests can escape busy city living and step into their own private sanctuary, with a wide choice of dining and leisure diversions; exploring villages filled with charming cafes and boutique shops, discovering local wineries, gathering fresh produce from farmers markets and luxuriating in award winning day spas
Properties have been hand-selected with the upmost of care, representing every period in the region's history, right back to when Italian immigrants first came to the area. Stylish self-catered romantic apartments, luxury retreats, secret hideaways and large group villas have all been chosen for their flair and distinction. Many of the properties have customised furniture, textiles, architecture and art collections that echo the owners’ individual passions and personalities.
Dayget Retreats were pioneers in developing Australia's first online holiday accommodation booking and payment system. This concierge-style booking service is constantly being upgraded to provide the ultimate user experience and today receives over 15,000 bookings each year.
Birch Estate
Birch Estate is Spa Country's 400 acre farm, located 10km from the historic village, Clunes. The main focus of Birch Estate is breeding rare Highland Cattle and British Whites, along with Hampshire Down sheep. Birch Estate will be one of the first farms to bring these rare breeds to fine dining and restaurants in the region.
Extensive organic vegetable gardens and orchards have also been planted. Eventually Birch Estate will become the primary source of produce and provisions for the various Spa Country business units, particularly Wild Birch restaurant and Birch Club
Birch Club
Spa Country is excited to announce their most recent acquisition; the heritage listed Club Hotel in historic Clunes. Plans are already underway to restore this classic Australian gold mining town hotel into an exclusive restaurant, cafe, wedding and function venue.
Birch Club will be launched later in 2011. More details soon.
