Water holds a universal ability to establish connection - to ourselves, to others and to the places that surround us.

Long associated with encouraging physical and emotional wellbeing, water is a life force that possesses vital energy. From the mineral rich geothermal water that fill our baths, to the clean, filtered drinking water available across our site, our water detoxifies the body and rejuvenates the spirit.

While water is our core, where did our passion begin? Read on and discover our complete water story.

from where it began

Peninsula Hot Springs was an inspiring journey that began with two brothers: Charles and Richard Davidson. The connection to our water that flows through our site backdates to 1992, when Charles Davidson - Co-Founder and Creative Director of Peninsula Hot Springs – was bathing at Kusatsu Onsen, a hot springs village in the mountains of Japan. During this time, a revelation ignited in Charles, providing space to imagine a more pronounced bathing culture in Australia, where the restorative power of water could be felt, shared, and celebrated across communities.

While working at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo in March 1997, Charles learnt there was hot water deep underground on the Mornington Peninsula. Later that year and together with his brother Richard, the Davidsons purchased 42 acres of cleared, remnant bushland in the rolling sand dunes of ‘The Cups’ in Fingal – what would soon become a blank canvas for their vision.

In early 2002 the Davidson brothers finally struck hot springs 637 metres underground. In a powerful rupture outpoured 54-degree natural geothermal mineral water containing a myriad of health providing minerals.

deep in time; a customary practice

Hot springs bathing holds profound significance across different cultures, each with its own unique customs and traditions. From Japan's emphasis on purification and cleanliness to the Nordic tradition of healing and revitalisation, this time-honored practice is deeply embedded in countries worldwide.

Hot springs bathing in Australia is deeply rooted in First Nations Australian culture, with the ritual being a sacred part to those in the northern part of the country for millennia. These communities consider hot springs across the continent to be 'power spots' in nature and have embraced the healing properties of mineral-rich waters found in hot springs for their therapeutic and revitalising abilities.

Closer to home, the restorative hot springs we bathe in today have a remarkable history dating back aeons. When humans traversed on foot to the present-day Mornington Peninsula from Tasmania, they would have encountered geothermal springs along their journey. The Mornington Peninsula - Boonwurrung land - rests on the Selwyn Fault, a steeply dipping reverse fault forming the eastern edge of Port Philip Bay. Areas with volcanic activity often harbor geothermal water, enhancing the richness of these natural wonders, and responsible for providing the healing waters which flow into the baths scattered amongst the Peninsula Hot Springs site.

our water at peninsula hot springs

Our geothermal waters are heated by the earth’s core and rise from 637 metres below ground to flow into our pools. The water is estimated to have been deep within the earth for more than 10,000 years, and considered to be a ‘true mineral’ spring, where the occurrence of natural heating has taken place and emerged in a pure state from the earth’s crust. Our 'true spring' definition is supported by assessments conducted by The Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences in New Zealand, concluding that dissolved solids measure over 3, 500 part per million (PPM).

Our water temperature regulates between 34°C and 42°C, providing an ideal environment for relaxation and rejuvenation while affording long-lasting benefits pivotal to the health of our wellbeing.

Each night when we close, our pools are completely drained and thoroughly cleaned by our experienced pools team, ready to be refilled each morning with fresh, natural geothermal mineral water from an underground reservoir below the surface. Throughout the day, fresh geothermal mineral water flows constantly into the pools to maintain warmth and cleanliness.

mineral composition & benefits

The minerals found in the geothermal waters at Peninsula Hot Springs have been shown to stimulate health and wellness by improving sleep, reducing arthritic symptoms, encouraging social connectivity, detoxifying the body, promoting healthy skin, improving muscle and bone health, and reducing high blood pressure.

A full analysis of our waters mineral content demonstrates that the presence of vital minerals enriched in our geothermal springs can have a wealth of health benefits on our physical body. Making up most of our mineral composition is boron to increase brain activity and strengthen bones, magnesium for optimised energy and healthy skin, potassium for reducing high blood pressure and elimination of toxins and sodium, which can help to alleviate arthritic symptoms.

In our ongoing research into the potential benefits of geothermal water, we are in partnership with RMIT University School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, and a member of the Global Wellness Institute.. In addition, we are constantly informed and inspired by those around us, including our Director of Medicine, Science, Research and Education, Dr. Marc Cohen.

beautiful water

The partnership and friendship between Peninsula Hot Springs and Beautiful Water® Founder Dr. Marc Cohen extends to the clean, filtered drinking water you can find in taps installed across our site.

Beautiful Water® uses eco-polymer filters that combine mechanical filtration, ion-exchange, absorption, and activated carbon block filtration to remove toxic contaminants while retaining vital minerals such as calcium and magnesium. It eliminates more than 99.99% of common contaminants from the water, including chlorine, viruses, bacteria, and particles – providing you with water that is filtered, structured, balanced, and accessible.

We no longer sell plastic bottled water around our grounds. Instead, we encourage you to bring along your own or purchase your BPA free, reusable drink bottle from Reception, our retail stores or at one of our onsite cafes, ready to fill with nourishing, hydrating and replenishing Beautful Water®. Feeling inspired? You can purchase Beautiful Water® Filter Systems to install in your own home.