From the team behind Sierra Escape Mudgee, this serene new bathhouse promises a restorative blend of heat, cold and calm.
Sydney’s North Shore is about to welcome a new sanctuary of calm. Escape Bathhouse, the latest venture from Cam and Tasch D’Arcy, creators of the award-winning Sierra Escape Mudgee, officially opened on 25 October, in the beautifully restored, heritage-listed Seymour Building in Chatswood.
Escape Bathhouse is Sydney’s newest bathhouse.
Spanning 320 square metres across two levels, the Spanish Mission–style building has been transformed into a modern wellness haven. The two-hour hydrothermal circuit blends a 37°C mineral pool and 10–12°C ice baths for contrast therapy that boosts circulation and recovery. Guests can unwind further in the infrared sauna and steam room, or pause at the Placebo Bar, a no-alcohol space serving mineral-rich sips and herbal tonics between sessions.
Beyond the bathhouse experience, Escape also offers a range of restorative treatments. Its signature ritual, Nunyara, meaning “to be made well again", is a two-hour ceremony including breathwork by Rory Warnock, a full-body exfoliation, hot-stone massage, and rose-quartz facial rollers to restore balance and connection.
Escape also offers a range of restorative treatments.
Relax in the 37°C
mineral pool.
The sauna helps deepen detoxification,
Clear your soul in the steam room.
Escape is becoming a modern wellness sanctuary.
This marks one of the first bathhouses of its kind on Sydney’s North Shore – and a major shift for the area’s wellness scene. The founders, Cam and Tasch D’Arcy, say the project is a natural evolution of their mission to create restorative spaces.
“After the success of Sierra Escape, we knew we wanted to bring that experience to a broader audience," Tasch says. “The North Shore is the perfect location for us to create a sanctuary where wellness and connection are at the forefront."
Prices start at $75.
Prices start at $75 for a two-hour session from Tuesday to Thursday, or $99 for Friday to Sunday and public holidays, offering a luxurious yet accessible entry point into Sydney’s growing bathhouse culture. And just like at Sierra Escape, the atmosphere here is everything.
The interior design of the bathhouse blends modern luxury with serene, nature-inspired elements to create a calming urban retreat. Designed entirely by Tasch – the creative force behind Sierra Escape’s aesthetic – the space features soft curves, arched windows, warm natural materials and muted earthy tones. It feels both refined and deeply restorative. And one thing’s certain: wellness is heating up north of the bridge.
We got the first look at Escape Bathhouse, which brings a restorative blend of heat, ice and calm to a beautifully restored heritage building in the city's north, from the team behind Sierra Escape Mudgee.
Address: 989 Pacific Highway, Chatswood, NSW
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Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? South Australia and The Kimberley.
The Artesian Spa Capital of Australia offers the perfect destination to escape the grind and reset.
The world moves more slowly in Moree, and that’s how it should be. Here, country charm and heritage buildings fill the town’s wide streets. While the surrounding farmland mixes with lush riverways to create a fascinating landscape.
But the biggest pull? Moree is known as the Artesian Spa Capital of Australia. It’s truly a place to slow down and disconnect, all an easy train ride from Sydney.
Soak in Moree’s artesian water
Dive in to Moree’s artesian waters.
Moree is not your typical wellness retreat, replacing pretence with casual and easy. Blessed to be sitting above the Great Artesian Basin, it feeds the town (and surrounding villages) with hot, mineral-rich water. Loaded with minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium and sulphur, this water is believed to help with skin health, joint function and tissue repair.
And the town’s crown jewel, Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre, has reopened after extensive upgrades. This state-of-the-art aquatic centre offers accessible facilities with multiple artesian baths of varying temperatures between 38 and 41°C.
Feel like exploring a little further? About an hour’s drive from Moree, the village of Boomi also offers public access to this same artesian water. Pop into Boomi Artesian Pool to make the most of a 25-metre cold pool, a wading pool and a hot artesian spa pool.
Just an hour west of Boomi, you’ll also find Mungindi Hot Artesian Pool, another relaxing place to rejuvenate for the afternoon in the mineral-rich water.
Moree’s best stays
Stay right by Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre.
There are several motels within walking distance of the aquatic centre, so you linger longer in its therapeutic waters. A day pass not enough? Really soak in the benefits of Moree at three local stays with their own artesian baths.
Gwydir Thermal Pools Resort boasts five artesian pools for motel and caravan park guests, ranging in soothing temperatures from 34 to 39 degrees. And that includes a 25-metre lap pool.
The Phoenix, Artesian Spa Resort & Accommodation features outdoor artesian thermal pools and six indoor artesian spas, all 34 to 42°C, plus regular pools for guests staying in their accommodations.
While the Artesian Spa Motel matches 46 comfortable budget rooms set across five acres of landscaped grounds, with direct access (for guests) to its own natural artesian hot thermal pool.
Moree’s location at the crossroads of the Newell and Gwydir Highways makes it the ideal resting place for those road tripping through country NSW. With plenty of accommodation options, including farm stays, quaint bed and breakfasts and affordable motels.
Delving into nature around Moree
Find plenty of natural beauty in and around Moree. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Beyond the baths, find calm in Moree’s nature. Soak up the impressive Gwydir River from the peaceful Tareelaroi Weir Recreation Area. Popular with locals, this scenic spot is perfect for fishing, kayaking and picnics. Delve into local history at the Terry Hie Hie Picnic Area – a significant Gamilaroi cultural site. The picnic area is still used today as a ceremonial gathering ground, with educational signage sharing the history of the Gamilaroi People and the mission which used to reside here in the early 20th Century. Follow the Yana-y Warruwi Walking Track to explore the area’s box pine forest.
Combine nature and culture at the Jellicoe Park Open Spaces Aboriginal Art Trail along the scenic Mehi River Walk. Find artworks from local Indigenous artists across a range of different mediums, like carved logs, engraved and painted sandstone and scar tree paintings.
A taste of Moree
Sit down for a tasty meal after a game of golf. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Taste the best of local cafes as you wander past the Art Deco architecture of Moree’s tree-lined main streets. Join the locals each morning at Brooker Trading Co as they line up for their morning java. Stay for classic breakfast dishes like eggs benedict and Dutch pancakes, or arrive later in the day for a hearty lunch menu. Inside a gorgeous Art Deco building, 61 Balo is another tasty breakfast option, with pet-friendly service. The recently renovated Cafe Omega is another popular stop for fresh, hearty meals – the chicken burger is a particular crowd pleaser – all served with a smile.
Get inspired as you wander the CBD’s Mural Trail, stopping at some of Moree’s six art galleries along the way. Bank Art Museum is a must-see, housed in the town’s heritage bank building and home to a collection of First Nations art, plus a changing calendar of touring exhibitions.
Step inside the gorgeous Bank Art Museum Moree. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Get active with a round on the beautiful riverside course at Moree Golf Club (and refuel afterwards at the delicious onsite restaurant) or a game of bowls at Moree Services Club’s state-of-the-art facility. Visit on the last weekend of September to join (or watch) Run the Plains, Moree’s annual two-day running festival.
Known as ‘white gold’ country, Moree is Australia’s most productive agricultural region. Visit from April to September to join a cotton farm tour and get to know one of Moree’s major exports.
However long you choose to stay, there’s plenty to soak in around Moree.
