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Warrnambool's Deep Blue Hotel and Hot Springs has opened a new Geothermal Bathing Sanctuary offering 15 new wellness experiences.

Aided by grants totalling $1.3 million, including a $650,000 Tourism Demand Driver Infrastructure program grant from the Victorian Government, 'The Sanctuary' opened on 3rd November offering a meticulously planned luxurious day spa experience.

The pools range from hydrotherapy, cold plunge, foot spa, sensory and aromatherapy with other features including basking stones, waterfalls and a reflection pool.

Another addition in the renovations it the Salt Therapy Cave which provides 45 minute sessions where guests can benefit from medically-sourced salt to ease their congestion among other natural healing benefits.

The geothermal water is sourced from 850 metres below the ground and comes up at varying temperatures between 36-45 degrees.

The Sanctuary is completed with a Nourish Dome where clients can have a range of healthy refreshments and food.

Deep Blue Hotel and Hot Springs owners Gene and Rebecca Seabrook purchased the property in 2016 and immediately began planning the extensive development.

As Gene Seabrook told local newspaper The Standard "seven years ago we moved down to Warrnambool and explored ideas for the hotel and spa.

"Construction began on The Sanctuary almost 12 months ago to the day and planning began three years ago.”

As for the wellness experience, Rebecca Seabrook advises “we want this to be a journey from the time you walk in the doors to your bathing experience.

"You can leave the outside world behind and allocate some time for yourself."

Deep Blue Hotel and Hot Springs Marketing Manager Lauren Orero said the development of The Sanctuary has had great support from the community, commenting “we've found day spa a really popular and a highly sort after activity for tourists and the community

"Many people in the community have been waiting a long time for this to open and we're excited to finally bring it to them."

The Seabrooks are hoping the development will restore Warrnambool’s reputation as a bathing destination, with the town having an aquatic heritage going back to 1877 when the Warrnambool Swimming Baths opened.

Warrnambool Historical Society spokesperson Janet McDonald advised last year that “Warrnambool was a health spot in the late Victorian (and) early Federation era.”

Gene Seabrook went on to tell The Standard “as the first hot springs hotel in Victoria, we aim to re-establish Warrnambool as a key bathing destination.

"By creating the Hot Springs Sanctuary we hope to help encourage the physical and emotional well-being of our community as well as provide a high-quality tourism experience for visitors to Victoria and the Great Ocean Road region."

He advised that the attraction opportunities for the city in attracting increased visitation and longer average stays and development within the tourism industry, concluding "wellness tourism is a strong economic growth driver and is seeing more than double the annual growth of tourism overall on a global scale.

"Traditionally Warrnambool has been championed as a family destination with a strong emphasis on 'peak' season's and now we are offering an experience that will drive visitation to the Warrnambool all year round.

"Our promotional plan has a strong emphasis on showcasing Warrnambool as a key part of our experience in coupling hot springs with other nature based, food and wine, walking and cycling trails and more experiences."

Deep Blue Hotel and Hot Springs is estimated to bring $14.7 million to the local economy according to statistics from the Warrnambool City Council.

It has also been named as the starting point for a potential Victorian hot springs and bathing trail.

Images courtesy of the Deep Blue Hotel and Hot Springs, Warrnambool.

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