Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa in Daylesford, Australia, has received an AU$1.7 million (US$1.1 million, €960,000, £810,000) investment, which it documented in partnership with popular renovation competition TV series The Block for national broadcaster Channel 9.

Episodes of the The Block that feature the renovations to Hepburn will also see a number of other venues refurbished, with those working on the different developments competing to keep costs low but the wow-factor high in order to win a prize.

The TV series will be broadcast at the end of Q3 this year, providing further detail on the upgrades.

Established in 1895, Hepburn is Australia's oldest and longest-running bathhouse, offering guests the chance to relax in natural mineral-rich waters.

The renovations

Owned by Hepburn Shire Council and operated by Belgravia Leisure, the bathhouse is completing the final touches at the property ahead of reopening later this year. Among other upgrades, the facility now has 12 private bathing rooms (five of which were part of the refurbishment) and a private steamroom.

SJ Tilbury, general manager of wellness at Belgravia Leisure told Spa Business: “This refresh is set to be a game changer for Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa. We’re thrilled to have Channel 9’s The Block showcase the transformation to audiences across the country, providing us with exposure that’s sure to spark new interest and attracting guests from far and wide.”

“Beyond the spotlight, we’ve invested heavily in creating the experience our guests are looking for, including a thoughtfully curated spa menu featuring indulgent body and facial treatments,” she continued.

“While national attention will drive visits in the short term, we know that the true key to long-term success is word of mouth,” added Tilbury. “Guests will leave not just impressed by the revitalised space, but feeling refreshed, relaxed and rejuvenated like never before – and they’ll be eager to return.”

Refreshed spa menu

The bathhouse has curated a new spa menu with four body rituals, including a cacao chocolate and Shiraz body scrub in partnership with Australian brand Waterlily. Four bespoke facials have also been added, using protocols and skincare by Elemis.

A new spa day experience will also be on offer, featuring a visit to the spa’s Apothecary where guests blend their own body scrub with natural ingredients. This is followed by a self-guided steam experience in the newly renovated private steamroom.

The wellness food menu has also been updated at the Pavilion Café.

Facilities at Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa

The spa, perched on the banks of Victoria’s Spring Creek, offers three different bathing experiences:

Bathhouse mineral bathing for all ages – located in the historic bathhouse, there are two weather-protected social bathing pools with floor-to-ceiling views of the creek.

Sanctuary bathing for adults-only – there are a range of pools at different temperatures, with underwater spa lounges, a salt therapy pool, mineral hammam and aroma steamroom.

Private mineral bathing for individuals and couples – there are now 12 of these rooms with private baths.

The day spa also advertises accommodation in the form of wellness villas across the road from the bathhouse and spa.

The history of Australia's first spa resort

The ancient springs, on the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung people, were at one time in danger of disruption from gold mining and timber logging.

A group of Swiss-Italian immigrants preserved access to these therapeutic waters when their advocacy resulted in the establishment of the Hepburn Springs Reserve in the 1860s. Hailing from their own spa towns of Europe, they were strong advocates of balneotherapy.

Word spread about the therapeutic benefits of the water and the construction of a railway in 1880 made the area even more accessible.

The first official bathhouse opened in 1895 with just two baths, but more were added to cope with public demand. The town grew to accommodate visitors to the area and the bathhouse was extended in the 1920s. By the 1930s a nurse with qualifications in massage was employed to complement the bathing experience.

Major renovations took place in the late 1980s, retaining the Edwardian façade, but remodelling the interior to create treatment rooms and a relaxation lounge.

The bathhouse was rebuilt in 1992, doubling in size. A later AUS$13 million (US$8.7m, 6.4m euro, £5m) redevelopment was unveiled in September 2008, rebranding the facility as Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa. The original 1895 bathhouse remains and is home to the property's Hepburn Pavilion Café.