After days of camping along the Great Ocean Road, it was time to indulge in a touch of luxury. On the final night of the trip, the tent was traded for a penthouse suite at the Deep Blue Hotel + Hot Springs in Warrnambool – and it was one of the most relaxing stays ever.
The weather had been misty and moody when we drove through the Otways, but when we arrived at Warrnambool the sun was shining, the parks were full of families making the most of the spaces and the ocean water was crystal blue with perfect swimming conditions!
After a quick dip in the ocean, we arrived at the Deep Blue Hotel reception and were received with a warm welcome from staff, making us feel special from the get go.
The penthouse suite was light, modern, and thoughtfully equipped with a kitchen, laundry, and a balcony overlooking Stingray Bay. After days on the road, it felt like a luxury to catch up on washing while sipping tea and soaking in those breathtaking views.
The Deep Blue Hotel conveniently has it’s own bar and restaurant, so we didn’t have to go far for a dinner date.
It’s a beautiful set-up with a menu that exceeded our expectations. For a light start, we dined on the Bruschetta with warm sourdough, heirloom tomato, basil, and feta offered a fresh and vibrant burst of flavour. The Pulled Pork Sliders were equally impressive, with smoky pulled pork belly, garden slaw, and chipotle aioli packed into perfectly soft buns.
For mains, the Chicken Parma was a comforting classic, with free-range crumbed chicken, sliced ham, tomato, cheese, and served with chips and salad. The Tempura Flathead Tails also stood out, served with crispy chips, fresh salad, lemon, and tartare sauce.
After such a satisfying meal, slipping into the plush bed in the suite felt like pure bliss – a welcome change from the windy, rainy nights spent camping!
Waking up and having a choice of geothermal pools of various temperatures and therapeutic benefits to choose from. The Deep Blue Hot Springs sanctuary is just sensational. We arrived at 9am and had the place to ourselves for almost an hour, before other guests wandered in for their session.
We tested our bodies with hot and freezing cold dips, and let waterfalls of geothermal water wash over us. There are caves, rock crevice walk-throughs and bubbling pools of all shapes and sizes – all surrounded by beautiful gardens of colourful flowers and green grass.
With everything we needed at our fingertips for the four-hour session we were there, it was very hard to leave! But, when we did eventually leave, we were feeling so intensely relaxed that all we could do was head back up to our room and sleep.
If you are in desperate need of some rest and relaxation, we highly recommend you spend a few days at this hotel located near Warrnambool’s beautiful foreshore, featuring the only geothermal baths of this kind in Victoria.
