8 Secluded Stays With Saunas You’ll Want To Book Now

Saunas are popping up everywhere from bathhouses to recovery clinics with hot-cold contrast therapy but can you sauna where you sleep, too? You can at these slow stays.

1. Still at Freycinet, Coles Bay, Tas

Ladling water over the hot coals, steam rises in front of floor-to-ceiling glass – the only thing separating you from the pristine waters of Coles Bay on the Freycinet Peninsula.

a man sitting in a sauna at Still at Freycinet, Coles Bay, Tas — Take in the beauty of Coles Bay from within your private sauna. (Image: Renee Thurston)

Guests at Still at Freycinet – a three-bedroom architectural abode designed with hygge in mind – are invited to indulge in a ‘Nordic cycle’ during their stay: a hot sauna followed by a blast of cold beneath the outdoor shower, then a moment in the outdoor lounge to refuel with cider, chocolate and nuts from the complimentary sauna ritual pack. And repeat!

Exterior of sauna at Still at Freycinet — Indulge in a ‘Nordic Cycle’ during your stay. (Image: Renee Thurston)

Inside the lounge at Still at Freycinet — The modern abode is designed to allow the beauty of nature to flow inside. (Image: Renee Thurston)

Thick, fluffy bathrobes and essential oils add to the spa-like atmosphere while private yoga, meditation and sound bath sessions can be arranged during your stay. A private chef is also available to whip up Nordic-inspired meals post-sauna, either booked alone or part of a three-day self-guided wellness package.

a man sitting in a tub at Still at Freycinet, Coles Bay, Tas — The accommodation has been designed with hygge in mind. (Image: Ben Little @bennybnb)

2. Salty Brush, Kangaroo Island, SA

‘Luxurious wellness retreat’ is the vibe of this new three-bedroom bolthole, 150 metres from the sands of Vivonne Bay on Kangaroo Island.

The traditional Finnish barrel sauna at Salty Brush — The traditional Finnish barrel sauna offers year-round appeal. (Image: Rhyy Gaskin Photography)

The lounge area interior in Salty Brush — Aesthetically pleasing interiors flow through to luxurious outside additions like the sauna and spa. (Image: Rhyy Gaskin Photography)

The brainchild of two mates from Sydney, a builder and an electrician, the sustainable build – using prefabricated timber installed on ground screw piers to minimise waste and environment impact – is not only aesthetically beautiful inside but a six-person spa bath and a traditional Finnish barrel sauna elevate the al fresco experience for year-round appeal.

a outdoor spa bath at Salty Brush, Kangaroo Island, SA — The six-person spa bath is a luxurious addition. (Image: Rhyy Gaskin Photography)

Salty Brush is fuelled by rainwater and 80 per cent renewable energy thanks to the onsite solar panels and batteries, while walls are hung with works from Sydney artist, Montana Moore, all of which are available to purchase.

The bathroom at Salty Brush — Every design detail has been made with wellness and relaxation in mind.(Image: Rhyy Gaskin Photography)

the wellness area at Salty Brush, Kangaroo Island, SA — Salty Brush is centred around wellness. (Image: Rhyy Gaskin Photography)

3. The Pavilion, Spring Beach, Tas

Overlooking a full-size tennis court, The Pavilion not only has the perfect bush-swaddled setting for Pimms in the sun after a few sets, but the west-facing sauna and wellness deck allow you to take in the beautiful sunsets at the end of the day.

the exterior of The Pavilion in Spring Beach, Tas — The Pavilion is set in a laidback bush setting.

Alternate between the traditional Finnish sauna and cold shower, with robe, slippers and a hydration sachet at hand.

a traditional Finnish sauna at The Pavilion in Spring Beach, Tas — Nourish yourself on the sauna and wellness deck.

Then turn your eyes to the sky to spot the resident wedge-tailed eagle, wander down to the sands of Spring Beach, and make use of the supplied pizza base ingredients to cook up a feast in the woodfired pizza oven.

the tennis court view from The Pavilion, Spring Beach, Tas — The Pavilion overlooks a full-size tennis court.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

4. Fila Marrakesh Private Retreat, Doonan, Qld

Found 15 minutes from the hubbub of Hastings Street in Noosa, Fila Marrakesh Private Retreat has been designed with wellness in mind. A sister property to Alsahwa Retreat in Noosa (a wellness-focussed farm stay on a regenerative macadamia farm), here a sparkling pool hovers over lush landscaping while a converted shed houses an infrared sauna, ice bath, and private gym.

lush greenery setting outside Fila Marrakesh Private Retreat, Doonan, Qld — Reconnect with nature at Fila Marrakesh Private Retreat. (Image: Aimee Dodge Photography)

While it’s open to regular stays, it really comes into its own as a retreat venue. Design your own or call on the in-house concierge service to add a private chef, personal trainer, breathwork sessions or yoga classes.

the surrounding forest at Fila Marrakesh Private Retreat in Doonan, Qld — Every element has been designed with wellness in mind.

Four bedrooms are in the main residence, while a tiny home with two more double beds is also included in the price, sleeping up to 13 guests.

the bedroom at Fila Marrakesh Private Retreat — A good night’s sleep is guaranteed. (Image: Aimee Dodge Photography)

5. Shearers Studio at Little Valley Farm, NSW

Hovering above a machinery shed on a working farm in the Wollombi Valley, the sauna experience at Little Valley Farm is as down-to-earth and authentic as it is secluded.

the exterior of Shearers Studio at Little Valley Farm — The Shearers Studio at Little Valley Farm is a secluded hideaway.

Inside the Finnish sauna at Little Valley Farm in the Hunter Valley — The Finnish wood-fired sauna is crafted by hand. (Image: Lee Besser)

Crafted by hand by co-owner Euan Wilcox, using mostly reclaimed timber, the Finnish wood-fired sauna and adjacent rainwater-fed shower is beloved by guests who report the deepest sleep they’ve had in years – especially snuggled in the king size bed beneath a handmade doona filled with alpaca wool from their farm.

a king size bed at Shearers Studio at Little Valley Farm, NSW — Get cosy in the king-size bed with alpaca wool blankets.

The Shearers Studio is set 100 metres from their other quirky accommodation offering – a 1950s Sydney Train carriage.

two chairs facing a wine barrel table at Little Valley Farm — Life’s little luxuries are also part and parcel if a wellness weekend at Little Valley Farm.

6. Leighton House, Tas

The sandstone wellness deck at Leighton House in northern Tasmania is so spectacular you could be forgiven for spending all your time outdoors. Here, the stage is set for a rotation between the cedar barrel sauna, outdoor shower and hot tub – either before or after you roll out the yoga mats for a stretch.

Light the fire pit and return with a glass of wine picked up from the Tamar Valley, right on your doorstep. As beautiful as the 121-hectare farm is – with views of Ben Lomond Mountain – the suites in the meticulously restored Georgian cottage and its architectural extension are also worth retreating to on their own.

Sunset at Leighton House — Watch the day slip away from the wellness deck. (Image: Adam Gibson)

Lounge room at Leighton House — The interiors are as stylish as they are comfortable. (Image: Adam Gibson)

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7. Dales Run, Jamberoo, NSW

Set between rolling green hills and the ocean just five minutes from Kiama on the South Coast, Dales Run provides the ultimate setting for a DIY wellness retreat.

Views from the balcony at Dales Run near Kiama — Rise to meet views of rolling green hills.

Owner and health practitioner, Jessica McIntyre-Geering, noticed a lot of people struggling with post-Covid nervous system burnout and built a specialised Wellness Room alongside essential oil and tea rituals in response.

Painting ritual at Dales Run near KIama — Dales Run offers a take-what-you-need approach to wellness.

Infrared sauna at Dales Run — The infrared sauna is one of the many wellness options to take advantage of during your stay.

During your stay, you’re invited to pick a ritual card that resonates and jump in the infrared sauna, have a cold outdoor shower, then enjoy the outdoor bathtub and finish around the firepit, sipping tea blended by Jess.

The outdoor bathtub at Dales Run — The outdoor bathtub is a novel way to end the day.

Yoga mats and virtual classes are on hand, while onsite massages, kinesiology and NER (Naturopathic Emotional Release) sessions can also be arranged.

8. Scandi House, Lorne Vic

If there’s one thing five-time Olympian and gold medallist Lydia Lassila knows, it’s the power of recovery. Combine that with a professional athlete spouse, who’s also a Finn, and it’s inevitable that their luxurious Lorne holiday home would come with a sauna.

Scandi House keeps the whole family happy while you treat your temple – give them the plunge pool and inground trampoline, while you take the reformer pilates studio, sauna and deep bathtub overlooking the beach.

With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

Where the vines tell a story

A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food. — Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

At the table

A flat lay of a steak. — Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

From the source

A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish. — Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

Mark your calendar

A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith. — Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.

8 secluded stays with saunas you’ll want to book now

Saunas are popping up everywhere from bathhouses to recovery clinics with hot-cold contrast therapy but can you sauna where you sleep, too? You can at these slow stays.

1. Still at Freycinet, Coles Bay, Tas

2. Salty Brush, Kangaroo Island, SA

3. The Pavilion, Spring Beach, Tas

4. Fila Marrakesh Private Retreat, Doonan, Qld

5. Shearers Studio at Little Valley Farm, NSW

6. Leighton House, Tas

7. Dales Run, Jamberoo, NSW

8. Scandi House, Lorne Vic

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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

Where the vines tell a story

At the table

From the source

Mark your calendar

Saunas are popping up everywhere from bathhouses to recovery clinics with hot-cold contrast therapy but can you sauna where you sleep, too? You can at these slow stays.

1. Still at Freycinet, Coles Bay, Tas

2. Salty Brush, Kangaroo Island, SA

3. The Pavilion, Spring Beach, Tas

AI Prompt

4. Fila Marrakesh Private Retreat, Doonan, Qld

5. Shearers Studio at Little Valley Farm, NSW

6. Leighton House, Tas

7. Dales Run, Jamberoo, NSW

8. Scandi House, Lorne Vic

Airbnb’s new rules tackle one of travellers’ biggest frustrations

Aussies want to holiday like it’s 1995 – here are the country towns they’re visiting

Don’t delay: these 9 summer holiday destinations are already 50% booked

Michelin has named these 3 Aussie hotels among the world’s best

With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

Where the vines tell a story

At the table

From the source

Mark your calendar