Secret spa spots around Sydney

When was the last time you visited a day spa and had one of those immersive relaxation moments just for you? A few hours of quiet nurture time in the hands of skilful therapists can do wonders for the body, mind and soul. And regular visits have been shown to improve our sleep and overall wellbeing.

We’ve put together a collection of incredible and unique day spas scattered around Sydney that perhaps you haven’t yet tried! It was super challenging to narrow down our favourites, but here are our top picks.

Sol Spa, Vaucluse

With its lush green garden and natural light-filled pink hued lounge area, Sol Spa at Vaucluse’s The Botanica is a tranquil oasis. Their spa menu features something for every taste – everything from medi facials to ancient healing therapies. The Chi Nei Tsang, an abdominal massage hailing from China designed to improve elimination while stimulating the lymphatic and circulatory systems, is life changing – I don’t say that lightly – and doesn’t feature on many day spa menus. To cap off your Sol Spa experience, treat yourself to lunch at The Botanica’s farm-to-table restaurant where you can savour a menu of local, seasonal produce. 

Venustus Beauty and Body Lab, Paddington 

Between the sacred crystals buried into the earth beneath the very foundations of the building and the three metre spherical metal staircase that acts as a direct portal to the sun and moon, this spa isn’t messing around when it comes to healing from the ground up. Treatments are conducted in soundproof egg-shaped therapy pods and you can choose from a range of therapies designed to balance your body, mind, and spirit. While this spa is worth a visit for the fit out alone, the treatments here are sensational and well worth splurging for – especially the Six Hand Body Massage.

Nature’s Energy, Balmain, Glebe and Newtown

With three locations in Sydney’s inner west, Nature’s Energy is a wellness haven offering an extensive range of holistic treatments and therapies. Choose from one of their customised facials featuring bespoke hand-blended products or go for something a little more esoteric like a tarot reading or spiritual healing. Luxuriate in the hot and cold plunge pools, traditional Finnish sauna or steam room before or after your treatment.   

Gillian Adams Salon and Spa, Turramurra 

Step through the intricately patterned heavy metal doors from the busy street outside and you’re instantly transported into a haven of relaxation. The elegantly furnished space radiates tranquillity while the soothing melody of a cascading fountain and fragrant embrace of exquisite essential oils envelop you in their heady embrace. Start your spa experience with an hour in the aquamedic pool where the grand dome-shaped ceiling and sculpted figures lend a distinct Greco-Roman ambiance as you drift past vigorous water massage jets. From there you can choose one of the many spa treatments, head to the salon for a glow up or enjoy a meal in the gorgeous garden from the on-site kitchen. 

Japanese Bathhouse, Lithgow

OK, so this one’s not in Sydney but we couldn’t resist including it! Why not make it a day trip from Sydney, and head out to the Blue Mountains for some fresh air and a treatment at a traditional Japanese Bathhouse. Natural hot pools, or Onsen, are abundant and popular across Japan, and bathing in geothermal water is well known for its many health benefits. This hidden gem boasts 5 hot pools dotted around the grounds with a beautiful zen garden and a stunning view of Lake Lyell. Enjoy a relaxing massage inspired by Japanese and Thai techniques, soak in each of the thermal pools and sip tea in the traditional tea room. There is even accommodation onsite if you aren’t ready to head back to the city.

Are you interested in other incredible day spas around our beautiful country? Check out Self-care Spa Days and Sydney’s best luxury hotel day Spas from our Journal. 

Image credits: Sol Spa, Nature’s Energy and Gillian Adams Salon and Spa