The hot artesian waters were accidentally discovered in 1895 when an experimental bore was drilled (for irrigation purposes) to a depth of 951 metres into the Great Artesian Basin. (The Great Artesian Basin underlies much of Eastern central and norhtern Australia.)
The water from this bore was used for the hot spas until April 1999, when a new bore was drilled to a depth of 868 metres.

The bore head in front of the spa entrance is the bore head of the original 1895 drill hole.