Families opt for Peninsula Hot Springs visit over traditional celebrations
The Jaz family is far from alone.
Peninsula Hot Springs spokesperson Jacqui Diamond said more than 1000 people were expected to spend the day at the facility.
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“Many people are coming here as an alternative to the chaos but also as an opportunity to connect with each other or with friends and family and celebrate immersing in nature,” Diamond says.
A line of about two dozen people snaked out of the front door when The Age arrived about 11am.
Swimmers were not deterred by the cooler temperatures or sudden bursts of wind and rain on Thursday. Some read books by a pool, while others took cold plunges or sat in 30-degree water.
Among those relaxing at the pools were Dijana and Oliver Stankovic.
The couple from Caroline Springs are no stranger to the hot springs. They do the nearly four-hour return journey about once a month to relax with friends.
Dijana and Oliver Stankovic are regulars at the hot springs.Credit: Simon Schluter
Like the Jaz family, the Stankovics celebrate Orthodox Christmas in January, so they have turned heading to the hot springs on December 25 into an annual tradition for the past seven years.
“December is a very stressful month for all of us,” Dijana said. “We have a daughter, we both work full time, we have nephews as well that we look after on the weekend.”
It’s one final day of rest before the celebrations with family begin.
“We’ll stay here pretty much until 6pm and then go home and sleep like babies,” Dijana said.
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