The 12 best places to get a massage in Melbourne

This Insta-worthy oasis featuring a bathhouse, spa and sauna is tucked away down Easey Street in Collingwood. The bathhouse is a must-visit and has been the space's main drawcard since its opening in 2021, but before going for a soak, you should definitely add on a signature massage. Treatments come in 60 or 90-minute sessions, and you can choose between a relaxation massage, remedial massage and pregnancy massage. You can also fully customise your time on the table, requesting that the session is a straight-up massage or includes a half-hour of Gua Sha facial or a scalp and foot treatment. 

Could this be Melbourne’s best-kept wellness secret? Hidden away in the back streets of leafy Ashburton, Kai Urban Retreat offers a luxurious escape from the everyday busyness of life via a spa menu that guarantees relaxation and rejuvenation. Founded by Clare Kwok, Mika Kinoshita and Martin McGraw, the mission of Kai Urban Retreat is a simple but wholesome one: to create a welcoming, thoughtfully designed and community-focused wellness sanctuary where the nourishment of both mind and body is key. It specialises in everything from Japanese shiatsu and remedial massage to tailored skincare and beauty treatments, and there's even an adjoining café. 

After getting a relaxing treatment, it can be a bit jarring to immediately step back out onto the bustling streets of the city. If you're looking for a bit of a longer escape, plan a weekend trip to the idyllic Mornington Peninsula with a stopover at the Peninsula Hot Springs. It's best-known for having more than 50 bathing experiences, including shared thermal pools, wet and dry saunas, a hydrotherapy pool, Turkish and Moroccan hammams and the frequently Instagrammed hilltop pool, but it also offers a suite of massages and spa treatments. 

If you’re seeking a complete escape into opulence and luxury, then look no further than the Spa at Crown Towers. Treatment options include hot stone massages, chakra-aligning and anxiety-reducing massages, deep tissue massages, targeted and therapeutic treatments and a gentle lymphatic massage. Every treatment over one hour is complemented with time in the Aqua Retreat, which consists of a steam room, vitality pool and Swiss shower. The white fluffy bathrobe and a relaxation lounge with snacks and refreshments add that extra bit of wow factor that makes parting with your dollars a little bit easier.

Hidden in Cremorne is one of the most unassuming places of luxury in Melbourne: Comma. With a menu of varied massage treatments ranging from scented oils to dedicated facial massages, there’s something here to bring a centre to your busy life. Massages start at $170 from 60 minutes onwards, and if you want the full works, you can also add on a dedicated head or foot massage, an eight-step facial, or even a hair mask. We’re relaxed already. 

Boasting 31 geothermal, cold plunge and forest pools, Alba is a masterclass in how to relax. Their spa is just as impressive as their thermal pools, with over 22 spa treatment rooms, including a steam room, Vichy shower, and singles and doubles massage rooms. Their Alba Artisan Massage will see you walk out feeling centred and rested courtesy of rhythmic sweeping massage strokes, combined with heated volcanic stones and botanical oils. But whatever massage treatment you opt for, you can relax knowing that you’ll have full access to the amenities and pools.

This luxury day spa and wellbeing retreat is nestled in the leafy northern suburb of Ivanhoe. Option range from relaxation and signature massages to deep tissue and hot stone treatments. Maximise your time on the table by adding on one of the 30-minute upgrades like steam and ice therapy or treatments for your scalp, feet and hands. If you want all-round care, try one of the Relinque treatments like the release package that includes a luxurious volcanic ash exfoliation treatment, warming jet shower, full-body massage, nourishing scalp mask and massage, and a hydrating facial.

Holism Retreat is all about radical self-kindness and unifying mind, body and breath. So much so that you’ll feel relaxed just reading the menu. Enjoy a Balinese-inspired body massage with the signature Holism treatment, enter a state of deep relaxation with the mindful meditation massage or indulge in the ancient tradition of body brushing with the Santosha treatment. For an all-round holistic experience, you can opt for a treatment package and enjoy extras like Champagne, LED light therapy and restorative facials. 

This luxurious day spa is a must-visit – whether you have a special occasion or not. Boasting hydro-therapy and magnesium float pools, Aurora is famous for their 11-step bathhouse ritual that takes an impressive 1.5 hours. On the massage front, it’s nothing but serenity. Their most popular massage, the Soothing Bliss Massage ($205 for one hour), sees their 24 years of hands-on expertise culminate in an experience that calms the mind and the body. Alternatively, their Himalyan Sound and Stone Massage includes warm Himalayan pink salt stones infused into your massage to stimulate the body’s meridian lines. You can add on the bathhouse experience for an extra $75 for the full shebang. 

Milk and Honey is located a stone’s throw from the main drag of North Melbourne. From the moment you walk through the door and take that first deep breath, you know some serious relaxation is on the cards. Here, the main focus is remedial treatment designed to reduce pain, lower anxiety, increase movement and, above all, help you feel better. Treatment types available include zen shiatsu, pregnancy massage, relaxation massage and remedial massage.

If you're after a traditional Japanese massage, look no further than Sakura Lounge in the CBD. Unknot your muscles with some shiatsu bodywork, improve your posture with a remedial seitai treatment or alleviate stress and tension with a hot stone massage. Deep tissue, pregnancy, aromatherapy and relaxation massages are also available.

Body Freedom is exactly what its name suggests: they free the knots from your muscles and fight the strains from your daily life to leave you in a state of complete tranquillity. Treatment options include stone massages, deep tissue treatments and remedial massages. Body Freedom also offers sessions for couples, and most include a foot bath and refreshments.