What you can’t afford to miss while traversing Australia are the inviting hot springs. Dipping your toes into these pools is relaxing, soothing, and therapeutic for your body and mind. These oases are well hidden among the wild nature and many times free of charge.
What’s even better is you can find them in almost all states! So scroll our list for the best hot springs in Australia and make your choice.
- 1. Dalhousie Springs, South Australia
- 2. Innot Hot Springs, Queensland
- 3. Eulo Mud Baths, Queensland
- 4. Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs Park, Northern Territory
- 5. Mataranka Thermal Pool and Rainbow Springs, Northern Territory
- 6. Bitter Springs, Northern Territory
- 7. Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs, Tasmania
- 8. Zebedee Hot Springs El Questro, Western Australia
- 9. Hepburn Springs, Victoria
- 10. Peninsula Hot Springs, Victoria
- 11. Lightning Ridge Bore Baths, New South Wales
- 12. Moree Artesian Baths, New South Wales
- 13. Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool, New South Wales
- 14. Blue Mountains Sparadise, New South Wales
- 15. Kimberley Warm Springs, Tasmania
- Bonus: The ‘Forbbiden’ Hot Springs
1. Dalhousie Springs, South Australia
Dalhousie Springs is settled in the Witjira National Park and represents a group of 60 artesian springs. The springs are part of the Australian National Heritage List and part of Aboriginal life and tradition.
Dalhousie Springs is the true oasis in the Simpson Desert and often a starting point for exploring the area.
April to September is the best time to visit. Following heavy rainfall, the springs are surrounded by beautiful wildflowers. After you’ve soaked in the springs, visit the Dalhousie Ruins or admire some flora and fauna species specific to the region.
Water Temperature: 38°C to 43°C.
Entry Fee: $10 per vehicle.
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2. Innot Hot Springs, Queensland
Innot Hot Springs is truly hot – with a temperature of up to 75°C in places, which then gets mixed with cold creek water. It’s settled in the Innot Village, in the Atherton Tablelands. You can enjoy these springs two ways- for free at Nettle Creek or visit the caravan park next door and use their hot pools to enjoy the spring water.
The hot water is ideal for the algae, so Nettle Creek appears green, not as inviting. After discovering the hot springs, people began piping the water to their baths and years later bottling it and selling it in Europe for its healing and rejuvenating features.
Water Temperature: 75°C.
Entry Fee: Free.
Related: Top 7 Water Activities You Must Try In The Gold Coast
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3. Eulo Mud Baths, Queensland
The mud baths of Eulo are one of a kind rustic experience and an excellent way to treat yourself. You get your own tub to soak in the hot spring water infused with clay first, then pat on a mineral-rich mud pack to take in all the benefits. After the mud is dried, you get to soak in the spring water again. It’s one of the most relaxing bath experiences that comes with wine and nibbles next to a fireplace. Make sure to book ahead if you plan on visiting.
Water Temperature: N/A.
Entry Fee: $65 per person.
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4. Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs Park, Northern Territory
The Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs is closed at the moment due to water supply issues. However, both the local government and the traditional owners are working on resolving the problem, so check before you make your way there.
Douglas Hot Springs is located on sacred land belonging to the Wagiman people. There are sacred sites around which you need to respect and stay away from, especially men. The springs tend to be very hot in sections, so be aware of this. The springs are incredible – located in one of the driest areas but surrounded by tall trees providing shade. The last segment of the road is unsealed but easily managed. A truly restful and refreshing place.
Water Temperature: 60°C.
Entry Fee: Free.
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5. Mataranka Thermal Pool and Rainbow Springs, Northern Territory
One of the most Instagramable, and free, hot springs is certainly the Mataranka Thermal Pool and Rainbow Springs. Settled in Elsey National Park, this pool provides a relaxing swim at a not-so-hot temperature. It’s known to get crowded, so hit it up early in the morning. There’s plenty of turtles near the tall trees and lush bushes! A floating device is a must as you shouldn’t touch the bottom of the pool. There’s entertainment at night as well as food facilities. If you like more commercialised places, this one will hit the spot.
Water Temperature: 30°C.
Entry Fee: Free.
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6. Bitter Springs, Northern Territory
Bitter Springs is one of the two springs in Mataranka but it tends to be less crowded than the previous one. There are cabins where you can stay to enjoy the springs longer and explore the area. The water is the same temperature as the Rainbow Springs, but there’s one big difference – Bitter Springs close for swimming once they spot a crocodile nearby.
Floatation devices are also a must, and visiting early is the best option to admire the beauty of the surrounding nature.
Water Temperature: 28°C to 30°C.
Entry Fee: Free.
Related: Top 13 Places To Go 4WDriving In Northern Territory
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7. Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs, Tasmania
A 90-minute drive from Hobart will take you to the Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs in South Tasmania. After touring the caves, you can enjoy the man-made thermal swimming pool, which accumulates and circulates the spring water rich in minerals. Magnificent Tasmanian forests surround the pool, and you can also enjoy the open fires and barbecues.
Water Temperature: 28°C.
Entry Fee: $5 per adult, $12 per family.
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8. Zebedee Hot Springs El Questro, Western Australia
If you’ve decided to take on the Gibb River Road adventure, these springs are a must-visit! They’re easily accessible during the dry season and a short 1.5km walk from the car park. Located in the untamed nature of El Questro Wilderness Park, they’re pretty popular among visitors passing through the area. The combination of untouched nature, thermal water, and lush flora make these springs among one of the best springs in Australia. Note that the Zebedee Springs is only open from 7am to 12pm, to reduce the environmental impact.
Water Temperature: 26°C to 34°C.
Entry Fee: $10 per person.
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9. Hepburn Springs, Victoria
The small resort town of Hepburn Springs was established during the gold rush back in the 1850s. This gem is less than 50km from Ballarat, in the middle of the largest concentration of mineral springs. One of the oldest traditional bathhouses is the Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa, where you can enjoy social mineral bathing in a relaxation bathing pool and spa pool for up to 90 minutes.
Water Temperature: 34°C to 36°C.
Entry Fee: $55 per adult.
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10. Peninsula Hot Springs, Victoria
Peninsula Hot Springs is located a 90-minute drive from Melbourne on the picturesque Mornington Penninsula. The geothermal springs are 637 metres deep underground and spring into the spa pools. You can pick a recharge, restore, or revitalise experience. The tranquillity of the location combined with the healing and relaxing properties of the geothermal water makes for a perfect spa treat!
Water Temperature: 34°C to 42°C.
Entry Fee: $35 per adult.
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11. Lightning Ridge Bore Baths, New South Wales
It’s hard to come up with a better option than the free baths of Lightning Ridge. The two million-year-old springs of Lightning Ridge fill up the Artesian Bore Baths via an artesian bore – one of the few hundreds restored in order to preserve this natural treasure for future generations. The open-air baths are open every day with a short break for cleaning from 10am to 12pm. So drop by, relax, unwind and reap the benefits of the hot springs in these outdoor baths.
Water Temperature: 40-50°C.
Entry Fee: Free.
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12. Moree Artesian Baths, New South Wales
For a reasonably priced and extraordinary experience, visit the three artesian baths in Moore. The water in two of the pools is thermal, coming from their own private bore located 900m underground, and ranging from 45°C to 32°C, while the third is a cold saltwater swimming pool. It’s an excellent pastime for the whole family as there are water slides, BBQ facilities, and other activities.
Water Temperature: 32-45°C.
Entry Fee: $10 per adult, $25 per family.
Related: Top 13 Awesome Walks In New South Wales That Every Hiker Should Try
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13. Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool, New South Wales
Settled deep in the Yarrangobilly area of the Kosciuszko National Park, this hot spring flows into a large 2.5m deep pool which cascades into a smaller children’s pool. Surrounded by the tall eucalyptus trees, this pool is a pleasant unexpected encounter. To reach it, you have to take the 700m steep track from the parking. There’s a picnic area on site, along with changing rooms and toilets, so you can easily spend a whole day soaking and relaxing. Bonus – you might spot water dragons and platypi!
Water Temperature: 27°C.
Entry Fee: $4 per vehicle, free per person.
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14. Blue Mountains Sparadise, New South Wales
The Blue Mountains are probably the last place where you’d expect to find a Japanese Bath and Spa facility. The Sparadise features 3 outdoor and 1 indoor hot spring baths and 4 individual hot spring baths. All of them are filled with thermal water from underground springs, and some are infused with herbal treatments to ease your muscles and energise your body. In addition, there is a large area around the baths designed for relaxation with a cup of tea overlooking Lake Lyell. This experience is on the pricier side but worth considering if you want to try something new.
Water Temperature: 40°C.
Entry Fee: $60 per person.
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15. Kimberley Warm Springs, Tasmania
The geothermal Kimberley Warm Springs is settled 72km away from Launceston in northern Tasmania. These springs are not swim-friendly as there’s plenty of algae in the water. However, you can spot a unique situation – as the water emerges from the ground, the sand at the bottom bubbles in a motion resembling a lava lamp. There are picnic facilities and toilets, and the nature around is perfect for a sunny day out!
Water Temperature: 25°C.
Entry Fee: Free.
Related: 16 Awesome Mountain Biking Trails In Tasmania You Must Try
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Bonus: The ‘Forbbiden’ Hot Springs
Did you know that Australia is home to one of the three radioactive hot springs in the world? They’re called Paralana Radioactive Hot Springs and are located in the Flinders Ranges region in South Australia.
Water in these kinds of springs is heated due to the uranium breakdown in the surrounding rocks. It reaches a temperature of 62°C but entering the waters, swimming or touching them is not recommended. There’s also presence of radioactive radon gas and green slime. While we don’t advise visiting these springs on your own, it’s cool to know about them!
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