I'm sold.  Let's go.  Australian Spas and Retreats has convinced me that Australia has some of the most beautiful and interesting spas in the world. The in-depth look at the top Australian spas by Amanda Jane Clark and lavish full-color photos by Ashley Mackevicius make me want to urgently be there.  No pressing matter could be nearly as important as the "Secret Sacred" treatment at the Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa, "The Mermaid's Song" at The Spa of Peace and Plenty, or a "Black Sugar Exfoliation" at The Bush Spa.  

Clark's  Australian Spas & Retreats • Aurora Spa Retreat, Prince Hotel, Melbourne • Azabu, Byron Bay, New South Wales • The Bush Spa, Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat, Northwestern Australia • Spa Chakra, Sydney • Crown Spa, Crown Towers, Melbourne • Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa, Far North Queensland • The Dome Retreat, Marriott Hotel, Brisbane • Empire Retreat, Yallinup, Western Australia • Howqua Dale Gourmet Retreat, Mansfield, Victoria • The Spa, Hyatt Regency Coolum, Queensland • Liliansfels Health Club, Blue Mountains, New South Wales • Park Club, Park Hyatt, Melbourne • The Spa of Peace and Plenty, Dunk Island, Queensland • The Spa and Fitness Centre, The Regent, Sydney • Shizuka Ryokan, Hepburn Springs, Victoria • The Spa and Total Living Centre, Couran Cove Resort, South Stradbroke Island, Queensland

Clark covers 16 spas with descriptions of their unique locations, guest rooms, treatment rooms, and treatments based on ancient tradition and modern science.

Unfortunately, the reality is that I can't just drop everything and head to Australia.  No need to be too unhappy, though.  After showcasing the wonderful spas in Australia, Clark provides ways to enjoy  an Australian-like experience in our own homes - where ever that may be.

She spends 50+ pages on spa treatments - not just a description of what spas provide, but actual recipes from spas and spa products manufacturers for home spa-ing - with appealing names like "Taste of Tahiti Exfoliate", "Macadamia Body Polish', "Foodie Facial Scrub", and "Fizzie Feet".

Another 50+ pages offer spa cuisine recipes such as "Scallop, Crab and Mango Salad with Mirin and Ginger Dressing", "Bug Salad with Melon Balls", "Sweet Chili and Filo Brittle", and "Pavlova with Summer Berries".

She tops it off with a discussion of healing secrets, products for spa at home (with manufacturers such as Air Spa, Australian Bush Flower Essences, In Essence Aromatherapy, Jurlique, Li'Tya & Baiame, and Purity), wellness tips (the ten healthy commandments), and spa etiquette.

Australian Spas and Retreats is beautiful enough to be your best coffee table book and informative enough to anchor your spa library.