Health & Beauty Guide in Melbourne
FITNESS CENTRES
There are two major commercial gym chains in Melbourne, Fitness First and Genesis. Both have a multitude of locations around Melbourne, are well-equipped and well-priced. Full membership pricing will depend on the length of your contract, but averages at around $80-$120 per month. As both chains have a generous number of locations, check their website to find one closest to you.
Fitness First
Multiple locations across Melbourne
http://www.fitnessfirst.com.au
Genesis Fitness
Multiple locations across Melbourne
http://www.genesisfitness.com.au/
For a more unique, local feel, the following clubs have long histories among the Melbourne sporting and fitness community. All have been refurbished in the last ten years and offer up to date equipment and facilities, but tend to be more crowded than the big chains.
Melbourne City Baths
420 Swanston Street
03 9663 5888
http://www.melbournecitybaths.com.au/
In a unique, heritage-listed building, the Melbourne City Baths offers the largest swimming pool in the CBD, a range of training classes, and a central location.
South Pacific Health Club
10 – 18 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda
03 9593 8228
http://www.stkildaseabaths.com.au/
On the beach in Saint Kilda, this more upscale, exclusive health club includes not only a well appointed gym, but relaxation and massage therapy. A favourite of those with time and money to spend on their bodies.
Women Only Fitness Centres
Major chain Fernwood saw a niche need for a gym exclusively for women – and business is booming. Despite, or perhaps because of, their legal wrangles over gender discrimination laws, women flock to Fernwood and the feedback has been extremely positive. If you’re a woman that likes to work out without the voyeurism (sorry guys), try one of Fernwood’s centres.
Fernwood Women’s Health Club
Multiple locations across Melbourne
http://www.fernwoodfitness.com.au
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GOLF
Golf is hugely popular in Melbourne. If you are an aficionado looking for world-class links, head to the ‘sandbelt region’ of Melbourne’s South-Eastern suburbs. About half an hour’s drive from the city, there are plenty of courses to choose from. Most clubs in this area are private, but if a golfer is a member of an international golf club that has reciprocal membership, then it is possible to play on some of these courses. Golf tour operators can also access some of the private sandbelt courses, provided players meet clubs’ strict requirements.
Private Clubs
Royal Melbourne Golf Course
Cheltenham Rd, Black Rock
03 9598 6755
East course par 72; 6,030 metres
West course par 72; 6,023 metres http://www.royalmelbourne.com.au/
Commonwealth
Glennie Avenue, South Oakleigh
03 9575 0444
http://www.commonwealthgolf.com.au/
Par 73; 6,380 metres
Huntingdale
Windsor Avenue, South Oakleigh
03 9579 4622
http://www.huntingdalegolf.com.au/
Par 72; 6,367 metres
Kingston Heath
Kingston Road, Cheltenham
03 9551 1955
http://www.kingstonheath.com.au/
Par 72; 6,336 metres
Metropolitan Golf Club
Golf Road, South Oakleigh
03 9579 3122
http://www.metropolitangolf.com.au/
Par 72; 6,345 metres
Peninsula Country Golf Club
Skye Road, Frankston
03 9789 2222
http://www.peninsulagolf.com.au/
South course – par 72; 6,318 metres
North course – par 72; 6,032 metres
Victoria Golf Club
Park Road, Cheltenham
03 9584 1733
http://www.golfselect.com.au/
Par 72; 6,174 metres
Yarra Yarra
567 Warrigal Road, Bentleigh East
03 9563 7711
http://www.yarrayarra.com.au/
Par 72; 6,102 metres
Public Courses
If the courses above are out of your league, there are many other public courses located close to the city that are well maintained. They range from resort-style layouts through to challenging suburban courses. Many have public access and cater for all handicaps and levels of experience.
Cheltenham Golf
Victor Avenue, Cheltenham
03 9583 6419
http://www.cheltenhamgolf.com.au
Par 70; 5,505 metres
Growling Frog Golf Course
Donnybrook Road, Yan Yean
03 9217 2157
http://www.growlingfroggolfcourse.com.au/
Par 72; 6,200 metres
Kingston Links Golf
Corporate Avenue, Rowville
03 9764 4222
http://kingstonlinks.com.au/
Par 72; 6,178 metres
Sandringham Golf Club
Cheltenham Road, Cheltenham
Ph 03 9598 3590
http://www.sandringhamgolfclub.org.au/
Par 70; 5,646 metres
Spring Valley
Graham Road, Clayton South
03 9562 3811
http://www.springvalleygolf.com.au/
Par 71; 6,161 metres
The Sandhurst Club
Thompsons Road, Skye
03 8787 7022
http://www.sandhurst.com/
Par 72; 6,478 metres
Yarra Bend Golf Course
Yarra Bend Road, Fairfield
03 9481 3729
Par 70; 5,538 metres
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TENNIS
As tennis is huge in Australia, every suburb has at least one free court (often concrete but occasionally rubber or turf) where you can take your racquet and the kids to “have a whack.” To find the one nearest to you, have a look at Tennis Australia’s Court Search webpage at http://www.tennis.com.au/
Royal Tennis Club
Park St, Parkville
03 9380 1259
http://rmtc.com.au/
In addition to the local courts and clubs, Melbourne is also home to a unique game, based on tennis. The Royal Tennis Club participates in this game (called Real Tennis) and hosts tournaments. A combination of squash (racket-ball) and tennis, played indoors, it is a centuries-old throwback to the origins of the sport and membership is a blue-blood affair.
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AQUATIC CENTRES
Aquatic Centres in Melbourne usually offer a combination of indoor and outdoor heated pools as well as Fitness Centres, Yoga classes, Massage (relaxation and sports injuries) and swim lessons for the kids. Although you do not need to wear a bathing cap or goggles, they are recommended if you are sensitive to chlorine – some of the indoor pools build up some mighty fumes! Etiquette dictates that you take a quick shower before you get in the pool, although no-one will look askance at you if you don’t (or if the kids plunge in).
St Kilda Seabaths
10 – 18 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda
03 9593 8228
http://www.stkildaseabaths.com.au/
This establishment is unique in that it is right on popular Saint Kilda Beach, and all the pools use heated salt water taken directly from the ocean. As such it might not be best for children. Swimming is not usually a winter activity, but taking a gentle swim at the seabaths while watching the rain lash the beach through the floor-to-ceiling windows is a uniquely Melbourne experience.
Carlton Baths Community Centre
248 Rathdowne St, Carlton
03 9347 3677
http://www.carltonbaths.ymca.org.au/
Outdoor heated 25m pool, aquatic education and toddler pool (available October-April). This centre also offers sauna and spa facilities as well as group exercise classes year round.
Richmond Football Club Community Pool
Punt Road Oval, Richmond
03 9427 1770
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/
This 25m pool, opened in 2003, is used by Richmond Football Club for training and rehabilitation regimes, but is available for public use. The four-lane facility is small but offers a comprehensive ‘Learn to Swim’ program.
Inner Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre
Aughtie Dr, Albert Park
03 9926 1555
http://www.msac.com.au/
Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre (MSAC) is the largest and most popular recreation centre in Melbourne. Features water slides, spas, and offers a wide variety of facilities and programs for adults and children throughout the year.
Melbourne City Baths
420 Swanston Street
03 9663 5888
http://www.melbournecitybaths.com.au/
In a unique, heritage-listed building, the Melbourne City Baths offers the largest swimming pool in the CBD. Kids swim classes here come highly recommended.
North Coburg Leisure Centre
Bridges Reserve, Bell Street, Coburg
03 9354 3504
Indoor and outdoor pools, children’s play fountain, gym, and child minding services. Also organises regular play groups for children to socialise.
Kensington Community Recreation Centre
Altona St, Kensington
03 9376 1633
http://www.kensington.ymca.org.au/
25m, 10 lane swimming pool with limited open lane times. Also features a heavily chlorinated children’s learning pool, and a toddler play pool. All facilities are located indoors, which makes this good (but crowded) spot in winter.
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YOGA / PILATES
Alternative methods to achieve inner balance, fitness and harmony are abundant, but not always well advertised. Most fitness centres and gyms will offer some version of yoga or Pilates, and you will find an abundance of notices stuck to shop windows in your local neighbourhood.
Pilates and the City
04333 76657
Heidi-Ann is a fully certified Pilates instructor who will come to your home or workplace, or can be hired to lead group training. She comes highly recommended from busy expats.
Breathe Yoga and Pilates
289 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
03 9662 1500
http://www.breathewellbeing.com.au/
CBD based studio specialising in STOTT method and clinical Pilates. Also offer a range of Yoga courses for the casual to hardcore.
Most well respected and highly recommended Bikram Yoga (Hot Yoga) studio in Melbourne.
GENERAL SPORTS
For cricket, soccer, Aussie rules football, hockey, basketball, netball, lacrosse and all of the other recreational games that Melbourne loves to play, it’s recommended you join a local club. The City of Melbourne produces a great online guide that can help you navigate the hundreds of sporting clubs and leagues around the various suburbs of the city. To find a club near you, see
https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/community/sports-recreation/Pages/sports-recreation.aspx
