Inside Australia’s first 24/7 private wellness sanctuary

Australia’s first round-the-clock sanctuary redefines how and when one can restore both mind and body.

Reverie , Australia’s first self-guided 24/7 wellness sanctuary, opened its doors in Canberra in August. And according to co-founder Cassandra Smith, it’s been receiving glowing reports from locals looking to optimise their physical health and wellbeing around the clock.

“For Reverie to be alive and moving and breathing is really validating. And to see how the community has embraced it is very gratifying," says Smith, who comes from a background in beauty and medical aesthetics.

Smith says she conceptualised the rejuvenation escape when she was in beauty school more than two decades ago.

“I was in beauty school in 2004, and my assignment was to create a dream business. I dreamt up the name ‘Dusk’ and a concept for a beauty salon that opened from 6 pm to 5 am. I was convinced it was going to work because it was the kind of business I was dreaming of for myself. Two decades on, Reverie is just the elegant execution of that idea," Smith tells Australian Traveller.

Smith says her business partner Lexi Bannister, a leading hair stylist “with a keen eye for aesthetics and meticulous attention to detail and design," helped transition the business vision from dream to reality.

“Reverie is redefining what lifestyle health looks like in 2025. It’s the ultimate in wellness for those who don’t want to interact with anyone after a long day. The fact that it’s self-guided means it’s very grounding for a lot of people who value their privacy and a bit of downtime," she says.

infrared private booth — Relax and rejuvenate at your own pace. (Image: Collections From Him)

Smith says offering 24-hour access to tech-enabled private suites means clients can experience a self-guided wellness journey that includes everything from premium cedar ice baths to an infrared sauna and a dry float (like a magnesium float bath but without the water). There is even a self-tanning booth, and an LED device that uses multiple wavelengths at once, tapping into photonic energy to “energise your cells to do their job a bit better".

Precision-led restoration

Woman stepping into Reverie ice bath — The concept offers 24-hour access to guests. (Image: Collections From Him)

Smith, with business partner Lexi, says the business appeals to clients who want to access premium wellness facilities without having to make small talk with other customers or a receptionist. “It’s completely private," she says. Smith adds that the real beauty of the business is that it offers the flexibility to fit in with clients’ busy work-life schedules.

She says Reverie was designed to help their clients achieve great restorative rest and a reset that reflects how more people live and work.

“We have one client who is a shift worker who has a very busy, demanding job. The feedback we have received is that she loves that she can pop in whenever it suits her and is grateful to be able to access treatments as and when it suits."

In addition to the diverse range of premium services, which also includes red light therapy, contrast therapy and LED light therapy, Reverie will invite leading wellness and beauty practitioners to offer their services in the space.

Reverie ice bath — Reverie caters to individuals without fixed schedules.

Clients wanting to book a session at Reverie can do so via the website, with access to the facility and their private suite enabled via their smartphone. In addition to standalone treatments, memberships are available for those who want to commit to being regulars. Those who are unsure about the technology can also book a walk-through to get a feel for the self-guided treatments.

“It really is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of sanctuary. Our very first customer was a guy who came in at 5 am to use the facilities. There are others who book spray tans at the end of the day as they have an event the following evening. And shift workers who want to book a dry float at midnight. It’s about experiencing Reverie as a new kind of wellness. Wellness your way," says Smith. Memberships range from $49 per week to $109 for unlimited sessions with the Reverie Foundation Membership.

A world away from the hustle, bustle and chaos of the big smoke – yet with a distinct sense of familiarity – Victoria’s Wimmera Mallee region is an incomparable place.

Victoria’s Grampians are a visual feast, a seemingly endless vista of craggy cliffs, rolling valleys and untamed bushland. But they’re also much more than a scenic mountain landscape. Diverse and storied, each region within the range has its own rhythm. The Wimmera Mallee – a pocket in the state’s north-west, stretching from Horsham to near Mildura – is one of the most captivating.

Once known as Victoria’s agricultural heartland, the Wimmera Mallee has evolved in recent years into a dynamic, slightly offbeat hub. It buzzes with a creative hum and welcoming energy, and harbours an eclectic mix of long-time locals and tree-changers. Once you encounter its unmistakable charm, feel its warm country hospitality and taste its nationally celebrated vanilla slice, you may find yourself lingering longer than planned.

Eager to explore? These must-visit spots let you experience the inimitable spirit of this special part of the world.

Wimmera Mallee’s quirky attractions

The Dimboola Imaginarium, Wimmera Mallee victoria — Step into the whacky Dimboola Imaginarium. (Image: Denis Bin)

If you’re after something a little more unconventional, the Wimmera Mallee delivers in droves.

The Dimboola Imaginarium – located in a historic bank building in its namesake town – is a gift shop and boutique accommodation in one. Shop for unique and whimsical keepsakes, stay overnight in an elegant themed room, and lose yourself in one of the Imaginarium’s interactive experiences.

Also in Dimboola, just a short drive from the Imaginarium, is a menagerie of utter delight. Tiny Goats and Co. is home to a herd of miniature goats, with the farm offering group visits and special events like goat yoga and cuddle sessions.

Arcade aficionados should visit the Australian Pinball Museum in nearby Nhill. Here, you’ll find the biggest selection of playable pinball machines in the country, featuring modern models and classics dating all the way back to 1931.

Arts and culture in Wimmera Mallee

Step into the Wimmera Mallee’s storied history at the Stick Shed — Step into history at the Stick Shed. (Image: Visit Vic)

As a thoroughly creative community, it’s no wonder the Wimmera Mallee has a host of venues focused on its rich arts and culture scene.

Wander Trickbots Metal Art & Sculpture Garden in Nullawil, a winding trail filled with unique and quirky creations fashioned from metal odds, ends and scrap. A walk through the garden is inspiring enough, but consider buying a piece to take home and treasure.

The town of Nhill also has a significant Karen-Burmese refugee community, who make up 10 per cent of the local population. Discover the artistry of this vibrant culture at Paw Po , where you can purchase traditional hand-woven and textile products. Choose from a selection of beautifully crafted homewares, fashion and dolls.

Step into the Wimmera Mallee’s storied history at the Stick Shed , the only WWII emergency grain store still standing today. This National Heritage-listed structure takes you on a journey through the region’s agricultural past and is a dramatic sight with its towering and eerily striking timber poles.

Nature escapes around Wimmera Mallee

pink Lake Tyrrel, Wimmera Mallee, Victoria Australia — Take in the pink hues of Lake Tyrrell. (Image: Visit Vic)

Much like the majestic beauty of the wider Grampians, the Wimmera Mallee is a mélange of serene and spellbinding nature escapes.

Victoria’s pink lakes are famed nationwide, and two of them are found right here. See the flamingo-pink hues of Loch Iel, particularly vivid after a heavy downpour, or the vast and ancient Lake Tyrrell , which turns pink during wet and warm conditions.

The Snowdrift dunes in Wyperfeld National Park are ideal for adventurers. Set amid the area’s semi-arid landscape, the dunes are expansive mounds of sand deposited around 40,000 years ago. Hike or sandboard them and make sure to visit at sunset, when the sand glows golden.

And while some travellers chase the highest peaks, you can see the most modest in the Wimmera Mallee. Standing a mere 43 metres above the surrounding terrain, Mount Wycheproof is considered the smallest registered mountain in the world. Courtesy of its relatively gentle inclines, it’s a lovely spot for a walk and a picnic.

Culinary adventures in Wimmera Mallee

border inn in the Wimmera Mallee — Meet the locals at Border Inn.

As a region rich in agricultural bounty, it’s little surprise the Wimmera Mallee has such a robust and vibrant food scene. The community is fiercely proud of its local produce, showcasing the flavours and heritage of the area.

The Border Inn in the village of Apsley is a quaint country pub and meeting spot for the local community, featuring a classic country menu and warm hospitality.

The Horsham Golf Club is a popular spot for golf buffs with an adjoining bistro and bar. Try a modern twist on hearty favourites while taking in views of the green. For a taste of the area’s vintages, head to Norton Estate Wines – a boutique wine producer and cellar door open weekends.

A Wimmera Mallee jaunt wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the famed Sharp’s Bakery in Birchip. Here, you’ll find a velvety vanilla slice that’s been crowned as Australia’s best seven times.

Wimmera Mallee accommodation

Fulham Homestead in wimmera mallee — Escape to Fulham Homestead.

If you’re enjoying an extended trip, you’ll need somewhere to rest. After a day tackling Wyperfeld’s epic dunes, visit Pine Plains Lodge , also in the national park. Built from reclaimed timber planks and logs, and anchored by rugged stone fireplaces, the lodge is a rustic and cosy hideaway.

For a refined yet relaxing escape, head to Fulham Homestead – a gorgeously restored guesthouse on an idyllic working farm, complete with farm animals and scenic vistas. Built in the 1840s, it has all the elegance and charm of its heritage, plus contemporary comforts like a modern kitchen, wi-fi and air-conditioning.

The Hermitage Hotel is Victoria’s oldest inland pub and an equally delightful blend of old and new. The restored rooms are perfectly appointed and adorned with period furnishings and high-quality linens. The pub itself is a favoured food and wine spot among locals and travellers alike.

If camping is more your style, the Lake Lascelles Cabins and Camping (formerly Mallee Bush Retreat) is a sprawling oasis with powered and unpowered sites and snug cabins. The setting is stunning too, the pristine Lake Lascelles sitting right in its centre.

Annual events

Wimmera Mallee Nhill Aviation Museum — Time your visit to Nhill Aviation Museum for the annual air show.

You may not need an excuse to revisit the Wimmera Mallee, but these annual and bi-annual events will almost certainly have you returning again and again.

Each year, the Lake Chalegrark Country Music Marathon takes over the town for a spectacular line-up of musicians from around Australia. The event is easygoing, family-friendly, and set in scenic surrounds on the shores of Lake Charlegrark.

Every two years, the region holds colourful events like the Wimmera Steampunk Festival , a raucous celebration of 19th-century steampunk culture with a different theme each time; the Nhill Air Show , which features jaw-dropping aerial stunts, aircraft displays, music, activities and more; and the Nati Frinj , a festival of art, culture and performance showcasing the many talents of the Natimuk community.

From the quirky to the tasty, start planning at visitwimmeramallee.com.au

Inside Australia’s first 24/7 private wellness sanctuary

Australia’s first round-the-clock sanctuary redefines how and when one can restore both mind and body.

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