The best massages in Melbourne

Nourish Body and Skin is an oasis in what can be a hectic part of St Kilda. The day spa offers the complete pampering experience, from mani-pedis, waxing, specialised facials to massages. The pamper packages are where it's at if you're in need of a complete relaxation experience. The Sensory Escape package ($185) is a totally luxurious experience that is 90 minutes of pure bliss and time well spent if you're after a thorough pampering. Planning to reopen October 27.

Milk and Honey is located a stone’s throw from the main drag of North Melbourne. From the moment you walk through the door and take that first deep belly-breath, you know some serious relaxation is on the cards. The Milk and Honey team like to keep it simple. They offer high-quality remedial massages which are tailored to you by qualified remedial massage therapists. You can choose your duration (45, 60 and 90-minute consultations are available) and what areas you would like to focus on, whether you have muscle tension, acute or chronic pain or just a need to unwind and smooth out that brow. Planning to reopen October 19.

This Japanese lounge and spa provides something for everyone. Choose from classic massages or opt for something more cultural and go with a signature Japanese massage such as shiatsu or seitei. Further delve into the services and experience kinesiology, a session that helps heal your mind, body and soul. Planning to reopen October 19.

Body Freedom is exactly what its name suggests: they free the knots from your muscles and fight the strains from your daily lives to leave you in a state of complete tranquillity. Choose one of their many massages which will leave you completely satisfied. However if you’re willing to splurge a little we would recommend the Melt ($260) package which will dissolve all your worries from head to toe. Planning to reopen October 19.

Stable Massage is the perfect go-to for sports-related aches and pains, or simply a remedial massage. With sites in St Kilda, North Fitzroy, Prahran and the CBD, you can be assured to be looked after professionally as all workers have Diplomas of Remedial and Relaxation Massage, and are members of AAMT and ANTA. There are many treatment options available such as deep tissue massages and myotherapy. Stable also offers dry needling, which we can almost guarantee will hurt much less than a Thai full-body rub-down. Stable Massage has not yet announced a reopening date.

Bayside Body Therapy is one of the few massage joints that offer a special lymphatic drainage massage. Although it sounds peculiar, it works to help bloating, swelling, fluid retention, toxic build-up and sports injuries. They also feature a stone massage that uses only selectively customised stones created from Australian Daintree granite and marble for the customers at Bayside Body Therapy. Planning to reopen October 26.

Where to begin… Ripple Massage has almost every massage treatment you could possibly imagine, from Russian deep tissue to chocolate to warmed sea shells and frangipanis. The best part? You can even book ripple to come to your workplace to give your employees a treat (employers take note). Ripple is an in-home massage service; consequently they may not be able to resume services from October 19. Enquire directly with the company.

Vigorous Traditional Thai massage is a renowned establishment offering traditional Thai massages and their variations. With six locations across Melbourne, they're a good go-to masseuse for when tight shoulders strike. If you're looking for a little lunchtime relaxation book yourself in for a 10 to 20 minute neck and shoulder or foot massage to put some spring back in your step. Vigorous Thai will reopen on the first day possible (i.e. the first day Melbourne moves to step three of the roadmap). 

Treat yourself to a pampering session at the city's rejuvenation stations.