Taneesa Williamson The further expansion of bathing culture into Queensland.
There are three main cultural approaches to the use of hot springs: relaxation and connection with nature, medical & health based treatments, and spiritual and religious connections. Brothers Charles and Richard Davidson discovered this while living and visiting several hot springs in Japan in 1992, which fuelled the inspiration for the now Peninsula Hot Springs Group.
Peninsula Hot Springs is an award-winning geothermal hot springs and day spa based on the Mornington Peninsula. Founded in Victoria, the state is growing as an internationally-recognised spring spa destination with both mineral spring spa and geothermal hot spring bathing experiences across the state.
The Peninsula Hot Springs Group has since then expanded, opening their latest in Cunnamulla. We caught up with Charles to discuss their recent venture, including what makes Cunnamulla stand out in particular.
Charles, what led to the choice of Cunnamulla for this latest location in the hot springs portfolio?
The story of Cunnamulla started in 2008 when I was approached by a Victorian Architect, Chris Stanley from Splinter Society, to join him and his partner Asha on a trip into the Outback to visit the Kooma people.
This Aboriginal language group community had received a 110,000 acre property under native title a few years before. The property had a hot artesian bore on it and they wondered what to do with that resource. The property was filled with many cultural assets such as fish traps, grinding stones, ochre pits, fresh water wells, shearing sheds, two Cobb & Co coach stops (pre-automobile horse and cart transport) and a big old homestead – remnants of the recent past and the more distant past.
There was also a plentiful artesian source of hot mineral water available in natural high pressure and able to flow 24/7 on demand. The remote nature of the site and the lack of skilled and motivated community members lead me to prepare a glowing report in June 2008 about its potential but with a recommendation to try and start a hot springs in the closest town which just happened to be Cunnamulla about 1.5 hours drive away.
The idea was to create a central hub from which day tours onto country could be staged. Then eventually, as the reputation and skills of the team evolved, it would be possible to establish an overnight camp and grow the business one step and stage at a time.
Leap forward 10 years to 2018, I received a call from the then head of the Paroo Shire tourism Barbara Mason, who had the idea of creating a hot springs in the town of Cunnamulla. Again I went to visit and to see the town and share some thinking and support for a grant application that turned out to be successful.
Six years later and a huge amount of effort from many people and finances from the State and Federal Government, at the beginning of February 2024 Cunnamulla Hot Springs opened bringing a new level of thermal bathing wellness to the Outback.
What signature elements are incorporated in Cunnamulla?
As its centre, Cunnamulla Hot Springs draws natural hot water from deep within the Great Artesian Basinand and flows it into a series of bathing pools. Three large ones have spectacular views over the Warrego River.
There is also a smaller hot pool, a Sky Viewing (moon and stars at night) pool, an underground bathing hammam, as well as a sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool (a chilly 10 deg C), a Clay & Mud Club area and thermal mineral showers.
There are also relaxation areas on the banks of the river with hammocks, beanbags, a fire pit and open lawns.
What elements are unique to Cunnamulla?
The most unique features of Cunnamulla Hot Springs not found in most hot springs accross Australia and not at any hot spring in Queensland or New South Wales is the wide variety of bathing openings and the contrast therapy (hot and cold bathing).
The weaving of fun wellness activations and the incredible natural setting is a spectacular combination.
Cunnamulla Hot Springs is also located in the heart of town. If staying in one of the many hotels and motels in town it is a short stroll to get the the hot springs.
This proximity to the shops, restaurants, accommodation and other services means the hot springs is able to enhance and add a new layer of wellbeing to this iconic and charming rural community.
Where to next with the hot springs?
We are working on the establishment of the East Australian Hot Springs Cultural Bathing Trail. This is a link to 9 language groups all with hot springs traversing from the South Coast of Victoria in Metung, Phillip Island, Mornington Peninsula, Warrnambool, Portland up through the Outback of Victoria (Swanhill), Outback New South Wales (Pilliga and Moree) and Outback Queensland (Cunnamulla and Blackall) to the far North of the country at Talaroo Station and onto Burketown on the Golf of Carpentaria.
This trail is designed to connect to the country, to the culture and to the language of the land through the common very relaxing thread of natural hot spring water found along the way. We are highlighting the connection to the natural warmth of Australia.
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