The Phillip Island Hot Springs are taking shape as government digs deep for project

The Phillip Island Hot Springs has just received a huge funding boost with the plans for the project finally revealed.

The Phillip Island Hot Springs will receive $4.7 million through the Regional Tourism Investment Fund.

The springs should open in March of 2023 and mooted to have seven new pools.

Tourism Minister, Martin Pakula said the springs would also benefit from the $500,000 Enabling Tourism Fund.

“Phillip Island is one of Victoria’s most iconic tourism destinations and that‘s why we are backing businesses to make the experience for visitors even better,” Mr Pakula said.

The main lagoon will include bubble beds, a whirl pool and a swim-up wellness bar serving vitamin cocktails. Picture: Supplied.

“We know tourism is a major employer in the community and that’s why we’re working so hard to grow the industry locally.”

Phillip Island Hot Springs owners Mark and Jodie Vogt said they wanted to creating a place where visitors could embrace nature.

“We have taken inspiration from our travels all over the world - Germany, Turkey, Iceland, Japan - and we are bringing the best bits to Phillip Island,” they said.

The project includes an apothecary, large bathing pools, salt treatment, a cave pool, misted walkways, scented pools, a whirl pool, a cafe, pools for kids with dinosaur digs and sandpit areas.

“It is really quite dramatic,” Mr Vogt said.

“We are going to work with the environment, include mostly indigenous plants and bring wellness to Phillip Island.”

So far they have planted over 100,000 trees on the land.

On Friday students from Newhaven Primary helped to plant another, symbolising the business’s respect to the natural surroundings.

Cobie Milner, Myles Cromie, Jarvis McDonald, Mark Vogt, Carl Russon (landscaper) Charles Davidson, Bharat Vogt, Jodie Vogt, Phoenix Stedman, Jordan Crungle, Ava Graham, Jasmine Campbell and Brianna Campbell at Phillip Island Hot springs

Eventually it will also include a lodge for overnight accommodation and sea-water bathing pools.

The Vogts will be partnering with The Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs Bharat Mitra to bring their dream to life.

“This is going to be a business is service of positive change for the environment,” Mr Mitra said.

“It will allow people to connect with themselves, each other and with nature.”

The springs will be fully accessible and Mr Vogt described them as a “place for everyone”.

Mark Vogt, Jodie Vogt, Jordan Crungale, Martin Pakula, Charles Davidson and Bharat Mitra at the Phillip Island Hot Springs site.

In 2019, Phillip Island had 2.7 million visitors who contributed $579 million to the local economy.

State member for Bass, Jordan Crungale said this was an “exciting” investment.

“Bass Coast is a stunning destination that needs new experiences,” she said.

“This wellness project is just that-all year round, immersed in nature, all about health and well being and great boost for our local economy and support local jobs too.”

The expansion will create 35 jobs during construction and 68 full-time indirect jobs when it is complete.