Current disruptions from COVID, supply chain issues and wet weather have contributed to delays in the opening of the new Metung Hot Springs facility in East Gippsland.
“It’s coming together, we’re hoping to have something open by the September school holidays. It’s exactly in what capacity,” general manager Adrian Bromage said.
The sauna and cold plunge pool are nearing completion in anticipation of a spring opening. (Supplied)
The first stage of the development to open to the public will feature seven swimming pools and 10 glamping units, each equipped with private geothermal hot tubs.
“We’ve spent a lot of time getting our core infrastructure going, which allows us to not only do Stage 1, but to move into Stage 2 and 3, 4, 5 of development,” Bromage said.
“It’s a very big long-term plan to develop Metung hot springs.”
Future stages of development include a wellness center, an amphitheater and a kitchen garden.
The existing golf course restaurant and bar will be known as Metung Country Club.
The trail pool is one of seven pools to open in Stage 1 of the development. (Supplied)
Residents express environmental concerns
In addition to anxiety about traffic, noise, pollution and hordes of tourists putting pressure on services, environmentally-conscious residents have expressed concern about the demolition of wetlands at the site of the hot springs meeting
“This wetland is on the shores of Lake King,” said Jenny, a long-term resident of Tambo Bluff Estate and a member of Landcare.
“And it’s very critical as a filtering system for water quality in this very large catchment area to make sure that the water that goes out into King Lake is at a good level and fairly clean.
“Now it’s just going to be mud that comes out of there.”
Some local residents have environmental concerns. (ABC Gippsand: Rachael Lucas)
He said the habitat of birds that once frequented the area had been destroyed as their water and food supply had dried up with the drainage of the wetland.
Mr Bromage agreed that infrastructure and ongoing building work had left “a bit of a mess” at the site, but maintained that the water had been contained without running into the lakes.
“I fully understand your concern. For us, the proof will be in the product,” he said.
“We have a revegetation action plan that we will roll out across the site, which is to restore it to a beautiful environment.”
Emphasize that connection with nature was the “core business” of Metung Hot Springs.
Bromage said redevelopment of the site would include extensive revegetation of native trees and plants alongside ornamental streams and a natural lagoon to welcome bird life and wildlife back to the area.
Adrian and Rachel Bromage owned other tourism businesses in the area before taking on the Metung Hot Springs project. (ABC Gippsland: Rachael Lucas)
Managing the masses
Bromage said that in its 15-year history, sister company Peninsula Hot Springs had reached a pre-Covid annual visitation number of 550,000 people a year.
Over time, the facility had expanded accordingly with more pools, glamping accommodations, wellness infrastructure and 24/7 bathrooms.
However, the disadvantage of the remarkable success of the installations on the Peninsula has been the excess of agglomerations.
Busloads of day trippers from Melbourne and noisy group gatherings have contributed to a reduced user experience for bathers looking for personal space and a quiet, peaceful experience.
But Bromage said Metung would be different.
Metung Hot Springs is becoming a wellness destination. (Supplied)
“We’re three-and-a-half hours from Melbourne, so we won’t have that access to the Melbourne market like Peninsula does for day trips,” he said.
He expected the facility would typically attract a long-term visitor who would stay for a few days and explore the greater East Gippsland area, feeding the wider tourism economy.
“The wellness movement is about peace and quiet, it’s about self-care,” she said.
Luxury yoga at the recent East Gippsland Winter Festival. (Supplied)
“We’re trying to create an environment where people can come and connect, but also connect with nature and enjoy its quiet space.”
With 75,000 visitors exploring the Buchan Caves each year, Mr Bromage predicted a slow build-up of visitors to the hot springs.
History of thermal waters
The history of Metung Hot Springs dates back to 1929 when Point Addis Co drilled a deep geothermal borehole.
A children’s paddling pool was created in 1960, followed by three cemented public recreational pools that were open from 1976 to 1996.
The original hot concrete pools were a popular place for community relaxation between 1976 and 1996. (Supplied)
The original plans for a tourism development on the current site of Metung were proposed 30 years ago by the late First National Real Estate co-founder Charles ‘Chas’ Heath.
He envisioned the residential development of Kings Cove as a 400-lot subdivision surrounding the golf course with a 250-room resort and a 350-berth marina.
“The borehole was developed 30 years ago in 1992. It’s geothermal, it’s a natural resource,” Bromage said.
“We’ve had our hot water flowing for the last three years at the site, we can operate that hole to develop the hole and test the hole.”
In the new development, geothermal water will flow through the pools at a high rate, so the pools will not require chlorine.
Gray water from the pools will be reused to maintain the golf green.
The new Metung Hot Springs facility sits on a 12-hectare property with spectacular views of the Gippsland Lakes. (Supplied)
He said he would be “thrilled” if the Metung hot springs could attract 50,000 people in the first year and help the sluggish winter economy of the surrounding region.
“We’ll be very mindful that it’s not a theme park, it’s a sanctuary. It’s a place you can go to relax and enjoy.”
Metung’s new hot springs are expected to attract wellness tourists staying for several days and exploring the greater East Gippsland region. (Supplied)