There's no better time than now for a little rest and relaxation – or at least that's what we like to tell ourselves. It seems like as life picks up and work, family and other commitments take centre stage, finding moments to relax – let alone indulge ourselves – are fewer and further in between. While the term 'self-care' feels fickle at the best of times, warped and usurped by an industry hell-bent on making you think you need a million-and-one products and 15 monthly beauty appointments, the humble massage is still a staple. It's also one of the few self-care experiences in our routine that just feels damn good to forgo.
As the weather turns cooler and our muscles and joints start to feel the bitter Victorian winter, why not book yourself in for a little moment of TLC at one of our picks of the 10 best massage spots in Melbourne. These spots are renowned for their technique, their beautiful interiors and, most of all, for their calming, restorative abilities.
1. Comma Melbourne (Cremorne)
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Comma's boutique bath houses and spas now count Melbourne as one of their luxurious destinations. Find calm with one of their signature massages, or pamper yourself with a visit to their bath house.
2. Sense of Self (Collingwood)
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If you're into the finer things in life, there's no doubt you've already heard of this place. Ever since Sense of Self opened its doors back in March of 2021, it's been the city's premiere destination for a self care.
3. Peninsula Hot Springs (Mornington Peninsula)
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Make a day of your massage by visiting the Peninsula Hot Springs, only a 90 minute drive from the heart of Melbourne out in, you guessed it, Mornington Peninsula. Soak in one of their geothermal pools before booking in for a tension-relieving massage.
4. Alba Thermal Springs & Spa (Mornington Peninsula)
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If you're looking for other options out at Mornington Peninsula, look no further than Alba Thermal Springs & Spa. The Peninsula's newest wellness centre boasts luxurious full-day self care packages, and artisanal massages to balance, restore and heal the body.
5. Skin Day Spa (St Kilda)
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Book in for a Balinese-style massage with Skin Day Spa to calm the mind. The beachy decor and delicious products will leave you feeling like you just returned from an express south-east Asian holiday.
6. Chuan Spa (Southbank)
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The five-star Langham Hotel's Chuan Spa is a moment of reprieve, a contemporary setting for massages, facials and a myriad of other luxurious body treatments. You don't have to be a guest to enjoy this blissed-out space. So take yourself on a mini vacay.
7. The Lake House (Daylesford)
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If you're looking for a little more than an hour's rest, why not book a relaxing weekend at The Lake House in Daylesford, where you can indulge in a delectable array of treatments as part of their spa menu. Enjoy the surrounds of nature as an added bonus.
8. Nimbus Co. (Richmond)
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It's not exactly a massage, but it's indulgent no less. Nimbus' infrared sauna studios are state-of-the-art and offer you a moment of tranquility, along with a myriad of added health benefits for your skin, immune system and nervous system.
9. Botanica Wellness Spa and Clinic (CBD)
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Expertise meets serenity at Botanica, Melbourne's inner-city destination for wellness. Looking for an after-work pick me up, this is the perfect pitstop to leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed.
10. Aurora Spa and Bathhouse (Sorrento)
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Stimulate your senses with an indulgent massage or sweat session at Aurora Spa and Bathhouse, or take part in the ancient Japanese ritual of bathing in one of their magnesium-rich pools.
