No one had heard of the word spa in Australia before the 1990s. But ever since, almost 500 spas have mushroomed throughout the country, from Queensland to Victoria. These days, one cannot afford to open a hotel without a spa, as stressed-out urbanites increasingly appreciate the value of sparing a few hours off work for a blissful spa treatment as a way of finding balance and harmony.

And in many of these spas, Aboriginal healing traditions are the new buzz, and these spas are going chic, too, the author of "Australia's Best Spas", Amanda Jane Clark, said in an exclusive interview with The Nation.?

"Spas are so popular that guests need to be recommended before they get to the hotel. The industry is very active. They survey their members to find out what the trends are in order to respond accordingly. Now, people are realising the benefits of a spa experience," Clark said.

"Australia's Best Spas" introduces 24 of the country's approximately 500 spas, which are considered the best and set in premier locations, from Queensland's palm-fringed golden coastline to Tasmania's mountain wilderness. The author describes a variety of ingredients found in different spa treatments, while stressing the healing properties of Australian ingredients. A selection of spa-cuisine recipes is also provided.

Living in New South Wales with her husband, Ashley Mackevicius, who provided the photos for the book, Clark has been reporting on the spa landscape since the 1990s. Having tried a range of spas herself, Clark believes Australia is the world leader when it comes to an organic, natural spa experience.

Australian spas - sophisticated, yet down to earth - are available in four types: retreat, resort, day and salon spas. These days, they are competitive in terms of the treatment, environment and the ambience. The quality, however, varies and Clark has been to those that smell like "wet dogs". While medi-spas are a new thing in the spa scene, day spas do not let a woman leave without getting her hair treatment. New trends keep emerging.

"Interestingly, I've noticed that there are a lot of couple treatments, with partners coming together, sharing the experience. An experience with a holistic treatment, with essential oils, includes a session with a dietician or a medical consultant. Spa Chakra is keen on that," she said.

The best part of writing about spas is the treatment, Clark said. She credits Gillian Adams Salon and Spa in Sydney's Turramurra, with its five-star environment, for making her feel like a Hollywood star on her arrival. There, it is not uncommon for guests to arrive in the spa's chauffeur-driven limousine. The grand centrepiece is an AquaMedic ozone pool and steam room. The spa displays bronze and marble sculptures, which celebrate the female form and remind of feminine curves. If the weather is good, lunch is served with a glass of wine by the water sculpture in Gillian's very own Garden of Eden.

"It's very glamorous. When you walk into that foyer, you get smells and music. If you have a bad hair day, you will enjoy something like that," she said.?

There is nothing quite like traditional healing rituals. The key lies in the indigenous ingredients. Native Australian healing ingredients, such as eucalyptus and gum honey, are a powerful antiseptic and have a refreshing and uplifting aroma. For instance, gum honey can kill bacteria and speed up the process of healing.?

Best of all seem to be the flower essences with their healing properties, an ancient practice first recognised by the Aborigines. The effect of the essences is similar to that of meditation, as they bring clarity to the unconscious mind, resolve negative beliefs and unlock inherent positive qualities such as love, courage and joy.

"The Aboriginals' 'smudging' ritual is amazing. In some spas, they put some leaves and twigs in a small bath and burn them to make smoke that would keep off the room any bad energy left [behind] by anyone who was there before. It frees the spirit," Clark said.

She also said she expects nothing less than a feeling of deep relaxation from a spa experience. "I want a sense of bliss, to feel scrubbed. I want to feel like after a couple of minutes, you don't even know you are there."

The outcome of a spa experience could be life-transforming, she notes. Clark said she would not have gotten over an emotional trauma without visiting spas. When she was compiling her first spa book back in the 1990s, her son developed a serious cyst in his brain that needed a series of complicated operations.

"When that happened, we had to go and review all these spas. We were so stressed. Every spa I went to review, the treatments were like a remedy that really killed stress. I found that visiting all these spas really helped me get over the difficulties," she said.

Ultimately, she believes, she has achieved wellness: "A feeling of a healthy body and a balance of the mind and an ability to be optimistic in life."