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This luxe new bathhouse will be your summer obsession

Emily Murphy 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."

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

AI Prompt

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.

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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? South Australia and The Kimberley.
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7 Lake Macquarie secrets the locals don’t want you to know

Credit: Beau Pilgrim

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    An untapped side to this popular holiday spot is hiding in plain sight.

    Laid-back Lake Macquarie draws in holidaygoers and day trippers with its casual coastal allure and raw beauty. But even though it’s just 90 minutes from Sydney, most visitors have only scratched the surface of what this region has to offer.

    Foodie hotspots, quaint towns, tranquil waterways and compelling art are all waiting to be discovered. You just need to know where to find them.

    1. Most visitors don’t make it to the western side

    Explore beyond the western side. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

    While there’s no harm in walking the well-worn path in this idyllic pocket of the world, the area west of Lake Macquarie is defined by stretches of ancient rainforests and quaint towns with a more local feel. Toronto is the largest town on this side and features a golf course and sailing clubs, while peninsula-based Wangi Wangi is fantastic for bushwalking and swimming.

    2. There’s a booming arts scene

    Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG
    Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG.

    Lake Macquarie is a must-visit destination for creatives. Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG; this modern gallery is set on a five-hectare sculpture park and showcases a free rotating program of exhibitions and events, with a strong focus on contemporary Aboriginal art. In Wangi Wangi, explore the Wangi Owl Trail, which includes Dobell House, the preserved home of prolific artist Sir William Dobell. And enjoy live music every Saturday evening at the recently renovated Toronto Hotel.

    3. It’s a nature lover’s paradise

    three people swimming in lake macquarie
    In and out of the water, find a natural paradise. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

    Lake Macquarie is a playground for nature lovers. It’s home to Australia’s largest saltwater lake, a 110-square-kilometre haven for swimming, fishing, boating and sunset views. Another oasis is the Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area, a 761-hectare protected reserve with wildflowers, Second World War heritage sites and spectacular views to Pulbah Island. The upgraded Toronto baths, complete with jetty decking and netting, make for a sheltered spot for a refreshing dip, while the Awaba Mountain Bike Park gives adrenaline junkies their fix.

    4. The dining scene is unbeatable

    8 at Trinity lake macquarie
    Treat yourself to 8 at Trinity.

    Gourmands are well looked after in Lake Macquarie. At Emerson’s on the Lake in Toronto, the modern Australian fine dining menu spoils seafood lovers with the freshest ocean produce and stunning lake views. Sitting on Trinity Point’s waterfront, 8 at Trinity is another standout offering, serving Mediterranean fare in an open-air setting. For a more relaxed affair, the microbrewery trail lets craft beer enthusiasts sip on inventive brews from The Yard, Lake Mac Brewing and Bread & Brewery.

    5. There are hidden coves and waterways

    kayakers on lake macquarie local secrets
    Get out onto the lake. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

    There’s no better way to experience Lake Macquarie than directly on its waters, and in doing so you’ll discover a world of hidden coves and secluded waterways. Jump in a kayak for a tour with the friendly team at School of Yak and paddle to Cockle Creek, Awaba Bay, Green Point and Fennel Bay, discovering underwater life along the way. Or go all in and stay the night on one of Lake Macquarie Houseboats’ spacious vessels or hire a BBQ pontoon boat for the day from Lake Macquarie Boat Hire to enjoy a feast in the sunshine while admiring the marine life and picturesque waterscape.

    6. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise

    ll blue wren sitting on a tree branch
    Keep an eye out for local birdlife. (Credit: Walter Coppola)

    Twitchers are in for a real treat as hundreds of fascinating bird species such as Australian pelicans, black swans, white-bellied sea-eagles and superb fairy-wrens call this area home. Take a self-guided tour around top spots including Bird Cage Point and Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area (near Morisset) or be guided in a clear-bottom kayak through the waterways with Lake Macquarie Kayak Adventures, observing feathered friends as you go.

    7. The lake has islands

    sail lake macquarie
    Charter a boat to see Lake Macquarie’s islands.

    Hop on a private boat, kayak or charter around the lake to discover the plethora of small islands peppered around Lake Macquarie. The largest is Pulbah Island, a 69-hectare nature reserve home to goannas and sugar gliders with secluded beaches. Sandy islands such as Spectacle Island and Pelican Island have a tropical lagoon-like look to them as they sit in the tidal path of Swansea Channel, which filters the sand and creates a pristine environment. Stop by for a dip and a picnic.

    Start living like the locals at visitlakemac.com.au.