the hot springs were first discovered by europeans in the early 1870s when john atherton was exploring the area for grazing opportunities. however it seems the springs were ignored until 1885 when charles overend garbutt, the owner of woodleigh station, rediscovered them and learned from the local aboriginal people that the springs had healing properties. in the victorian era, mineral springs were widely believed to have theraputic benefits obtained through bathing in the water and drinking the water. perceiving the commercial opportunities, a russian-born man, antonie antonevic leased 10 acres around the springs on 1 april 1886. the lease passed through a number of people's hands before it was taken up by (neil) charles spranklin in the late 1890s, who is generally regarded as the major force in developing the springs.