Creating Calm: How Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa Inspired The Block’s Wellness Spaces

When Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa was invited to host The Block’s Private Bathing Room challenge, the focus was clear: wellness through design. “We were excited to give the contestants complete freedom to create each space to reflect their personality, whilst paying tribute to the colours and tones that reflect the Hepburn Springs region,” says SJ Tilbury, General Manager at Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa.

The brief to Block contestants was that they needed to include Omvivo baths and Milli Etch floor mounted outlet and tapware from Reece, both selected for their durability and performance, making them ideal for environments where water composition, like the 100% mineral water of Hepburn Springs, can affect standard fittings. As well as thoughtful touches like robe hooks and non-chemical cleaning stations. “This allows the guests to enjoy a private mineral bathing experience in luxury and comfort,” Tilbury explains.

The Healing Power of Mineral Bathing

At the heart of Hepburn’s wellness philosophy is the mineral-rich water that flows beneath the region. “Deep soaking and bathing play a vital role in wellness rituals,” Ferri shares. “It helps calm and relax the central nervous system. The minerals are absorbed directly through the skin, giving the feeling of total relaxation, wellness, balance, self-care and, most importantly, recuperation”.

Wellness in Every Detail: Design That Heals

Following a $1.7 million renovation, the spa now features five new private bathing areas with Reece fixtures. The Private Bathing Room that resulted from The Block Bathhouse challenge beautifully preserved the rich history of both the building and the landscape, while Tilbury noted “The design and location of a space deeply influence a person’s wellness experience”.

Wellness at Hepburn is both luxurious and personal. The Apothecary Room, which Fabian Ferri leads as Head Therapist, lets guests blend their own scents using Himalayan salt, magnesium, botanicals and essential oils. “Guests can tailor their wellness practices to suit their mood, needs and scent preferences,” Ferri says.

The spa also offers premium treatments like the Elemis Nourish Facial and Spiced Chai Body Scrub. “These newly added and upgraded treatments are designed to elevate the guest experience, offering a luxurious approach to wellness”.

Nature as a Wellness Partner

Nature isn’t just a backdrop, it’s a key ingredient. “Our architectural design brings the outside in, with therapy rooms that overlook a gently flowing stream,” Ferri explains. “We like to say we have a direct line to Mother Earth”. The shape of the Omvivo Villa baths and the texture of the Milli Etch tapware and Floor mounted bath outlet that were used in the spaces play a significant role in enabling that ever-important sense of calm and connection to wellness. Each team leant into the soothing, shapes and textures of the Omvivo Baths and Milli Etch tapware, with this combination appearing on all five spaces. Depth and mood was adjusted through the selection of differing colours; Sonny and Alicia’s winning space featured a the Omvivo Villa bath in Cove Grey, offset by Milli Etch Mixer and Outlet Brushed Gunmetal.

Wellness Trends and Evolving Expectations

Ferri sees massage as a timeless wellness staple, but notes a shift in guest expectations. “We’ve seen a growing number of high-end consumers seeking a complete wellness journey, not just a single treatment”

For first-time visitors, Ferri’s advice is simple: “Go with your first thought on what you need, and what appeals to you. Read through the description of the experiences and choose the most appealing.”

At Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, wellness is not just a service, it's a philosophy deeply rooted in nature, design, and human connection. Whether it's the healing power of mineral-rich water, the personalised rituals crafted in the Apothecary Room, or the serene spaces shaped by natural materials and thoughtful design elements, every detail is designed to restore balance and elevate wellbeing and The Block challenge has provided the perfect private bathing rooms to bring Hepburn Bathhouse’s ethos to life.

Explore the rest of the Block bathooms.