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This luxe new bathhouse will be your summer obsession

Emily MurphyBy Emily Murphy
The cult-favourite bathhouse is bringing its award-winning soak sessions to another Sydney location, just in time for summer.

Sydney’s east, your summer self-care plans just got an upgrade. This December, Soak Bathhouse is opening its second Sydney outpost, this time in Bondi Junction, promising the kind of wellness experience that feels equal parts spa day, social hangout and mini escape.

Forget hushed voices and solo spa visits, Soak Bathhouse is here to make self-care social. Designed to be a space where connection and wellbeing coexist, the new Bondi Junction location invites guests to move between magnesium-rich hot and warm mineral pools, invigorating cold plunges, steam rooms and dry cedar saunas, all surrounded by lush greenery and tropical-style interiors.

The vibe? More boutique beach club than day spa, with an energy that fits perfectly into Bondi’s breezy wellness scene.

The perfect summer reset

Women in mineral pool at Soak Bathhouse Bondi Junction
Soak Bathhouse is here to make self-care social. (Image: Supplied)

Whether you’re chasing post-beach recovery or an easy afternoon recharge, Soak offers flexible options, from quick 90-minute soak sessions to full spa experiences. You can level up your visit with massages, infrared sauna sessions or LED red light therapy, all designed to help your body rest and reset.

Sessions start from $39, making indulgence feel refreshingly accessible.

And yes, you can go solo, but this is the kind of place you’ll want to share. Swap cocktail catch-ups for cold plunges or date nights that end with a sauna and a sunset smoothie.

As CEO and co-founder, Alexis Dean puts it, “We want Soak Bathhouse to be the antidote to [burnout] – a space where you can drop in for 60 or 90 minutes, reconnect with yourself or your friends, and feel like yourself again. It’s social wellness designed for busy modern life."

Golden beginnings

Woman in sauna at Soak Bathhouse Bondi Junction
Help your body rest and reset at Soak. (Image: Supplied)

Soak Bathhouse first made waves in Queensland with its modern, affordable approach to luxury wellness. Now, with thriving locations in the Gold Coast’s Mermaid Beach, Brisbane’s West End, Melbourne’s South Yarra and Sydney’s Alexandria, the expansion to Bondi Junction cements its reputation as Australia’s go-to destination for everyday indulgence.

Spanning 700 square metres, the new bathhouse will open inside Verdical, a $16 million wellness-focused development by Luigi Rosselli Architects, known for its vertical gardens, rooftop terraces and nature-inspired design. It’s a space that blends the healing power of nature with urban convenience – the perfect antidote to city stress, without leaving Sydney.

Inside, expect leafy surrounds, timber finishes and the same signature “urban oasis" aesthetic that’s become a Soak hallmark.

The details

Group of friends in mineral pool at Soak Bathhouse Bondi Junction
Soak Bathhouse Bondi Junction opens in December 2025. (Image: Supplied)
  • Opening: December 2025
  • Where: 88 Ebley Street, Bondi Junction, NSW
  • Opening hours:
    Mon–Thurs: 6.30 am to 10 pm
    Fri–Sun: 6.30 am to midnight
  • Cost: From $39 for a 90-minute soak
  • What to expect: Warm and hot magnesium-rich mineral pools, invigorating cold plunges, aromatic steam rooms, dry cedarwood saunas, infrared sauna, LED facial and meditation therapy, and massage.

Enjoyed this? Discover more of Sydney’s best bathhouses.

Emily Murphy
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? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
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The tastiest new players on Newcastle’s dining scene you need to try

    Carla GrossettiBy Carla Grossetti
    Continue
    Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.

    When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle ). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.

    aerial of Nobbys beach in newcastle nsw
    Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)

    Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.

    1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle

    pastries next to a pastry box from crumb cafe in newcastle
    Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)

    Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB,  the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.

    Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.

    Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe .

    2. Destination dining

    Blanca resuarant in newcastle nsw
    Step inside Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Blanca. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca , which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.

    One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie , the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.

    Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.

    3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks

    people swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths
    Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)

    What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?

    Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach . Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen , which is open from 6am.

    Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse .

    You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach , where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.

    Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.

    4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle

    couple eating at Flotilla newcastle
    Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)

    In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.

    Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.

    Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.

    5. Newcastle nightlife

    Bartholomew's small bar in newcastle nsw
    Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)

    As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.

    If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne , Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s .

    Start planning your Newcastle culinary coastal getaway this summer at visitnewcastle.com.au.