Text by Penny Craswell
Australia offers so many landscapes and climates, but this spa retreat offers one of the classics: red rocky mountains covered in Eucalyptus, hot sun and cool nights, unspoilt wildlife and plenty of open space.
The Wolgan Valley Spa in the Blue Mountains near Sydney is part of the Emirates chain of ‘Timeless Spa’ branded facilities throughout the world, but this particular spa takes inspiration and advantage of its location. A separate building set amongst the collection of buildings that make up the Wolgan Valley Resort, the spa building by Turner & Associates architects, is defined by a series of six sections – each one containing a single private spa suite, with sloping roof and its own breathtaking view of the mountains.
Visitors are invited into a relaxation lounge both before and after their treatment where they can enjoy a range of herbal teas from the spa’s herb garden whilst contemplating the view. Each spa treatment room is set up with its own bathroom, changing room and a soaking tub to unwind and prepare the skin between treatments. The treatments are from Babor of Germany and the Sodashi brand, produced in Australia using natural sources from the earth and sea, including extracts and essential oils.
This spa offers a truly Australian experience, from the unsealed gravel roads and the chance of catching sight of a wallaby, right through to the materials of the building and origins of the treatments themselves.
Wolgan Valley Spa
(61 2) 6350 1800
emirateshotelsresorts.com/wolgan-valley
