This is set to be summer’s most talked-about wellness experience.
Sydney Harbour has a new way to unwind and it might just be the most scenic sweat session in the country. A sleek, eco-friendly floating sauna has dropped anchor on the harbour, inviting guests to steam, plunge and sun-soak with uninterrupted views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Wellness Afloat, a Scandinavian-style floating sauna and cold-plunge deck, has officially launched, bringing a hit of Nordic wellness energy to Australia’s most iconic waterway.
Soak in the harbour views. (Image: Jack Moran)
The project is as sustainable as it is stylish. Housed on a purpose-built vessel known as the ARK, the sauna sits atop a structure made from over half a million recycled milk bottles. Beneath the surface, a thriving mini-reef habitat supports local marine life, while above deck an ocean-garden adds a layer of greenery that softens the industrial harbour surrounds. Even the interior furnishings lean into the eco-conscious ethos, incorporating recycled materials and low-impact design wherever possible.
Once onboard, the experience slows instantly. Guests move between an 80°C cedar-clad sauna with floor-to-ceiling harbour views, a refreshing cold-plunge swim in the open water and a breezy sun-drenched deck complete with herbal tea and space to stretch out. It’s a simple ritual – heat, cool, rest, repeat – but one that feels surprisingly elevated when Sydney’s skyline is quite literally part of the backdrop.
The experience
The two-hour experience is the perfect summer reset. (Image: Jack Moran)
The project is as sustainable as it is stylish. (Image: Jack Moran)
Wellness Afloat is part sauna, part scenic cruise and part social escape.
Departing from Campbells Cove at The Rocks, the two-hour session starts with a boat pickup and a scenic cruise past the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Luna Park before reaching the ARK in the calm waters of Berry’s Bay.
You’ll warm up in a beautifully built cedar sauna that seats eight, watching the harbour shimmer through expansive windows. When the heat peaks, you can take the plunge – either literally, with a dip in the harbour, or opt for a cold-splash shower if you prefer to keep your toes on deck. Afterwards, the rooftop recovery lounge awaits. Crafted from recycled materials and designed for lingering, it’s a quiet nook for herbal tea, deep breaths and soaking up one of the most photogenic views in Sydney.
Private groups can take things even further, with the option to add massage, yoga or fitness sessions for a customised wellness experience. It’s part sauna, part scenic cruise and part social escape – a fresh alternative for birthdays, team days, summer catch-ups or simply a weekend reset.
Whether you’re after a summer reset, a celebration with a twist or an activity guaranteed to impress visiting friends, Wellness Afloat is shaping up to be one of the season’s hottest tickets.
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Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her 4+ years 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.
A great night out doesn’t need a road trip, just the right bar. Swap the long drive for an evening at these standout Sydney venues.
If you’re thinking of a staycation or a long weekend (with foodie benefits), you can’t get much better than the bright lights and beautiful vistas of Sydney. From tucked-away bars to late-night hidden hangs, Australia’s (unofficial) favourite city is packed full of venues that make staying local feel like an adventure.
1. El Vista, Circular Quay
Enjoy tasty cocktails and gorgeous Sydney views. (Credit: Mario Francisco)
This welcoming bar by the Maybe Sammy team offers a fun buzz and jaw-dropping harbour views. Part of the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, this lounge bar sits above Circular Quay with the harbour on one side and the Botanical Gardens on the other. You may start here for pre-dinner drinks, but you won’t want to leave before the early hours. If the 1960s Acapulco vibe isn’t enough, the views will be – the Sydney Harbour Bridge is so close it hardly fits in the window, while ferries glide by all night.
2. Bar Allora, CBD
Settle in for a taste of Italy.
Inspired by Milan in the 1980s, Bar Allora brings Italian style and culture to the CBD. Although it’s officially part of the Mantra 2 Bond Street hotel, it’s designed to look and feel like you’ve travelled to Italy for all-day dining. Think espresso in the morning, aperitivo in the afternoon and Negronis late into the night. Accompany your liquid diet with Italian-style small plates and pastas with a modern twist.
3. Percy, Pyrmont
Spanish-style tapas and wine is the name of the game. (Credit: Steven Woodburn)
Taking centre stage in the luxe foyer of the Woolstore 1888 Hotel in Pyrmont, Percy is a popular Spanish-style tapas and wine bar serving food that makes you want to linger. The restored 138-year-old wool store creates an atmospheric backdrop to your glass of merlot with exposed timber beams, brick and the echoes of Sydney’s past. With an air of Barcelona, expect low conversations, creative dining and the city moments away.
4. The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD
Seafood lovers should head to The Crudo Bar. (Credit: Nikki To)
Grab a seat at the beautifully designed crudo bar, taking centre stage in Giovanni Pilu’s latest CBD restaurant, Flaminia. Enjoy a glass of chilled Vermentino from Sardinia or prosecco from the hills of Treviso, matched with freshly shucked oysters. Complement your seafood with a range of special dressings, influenced by iconic Italian port cities. It’s the perfect spot for a pre- or post- glass of wine before visiting the Sydney Opera House.
5. Mee So, Sydney Central
Enjoy Japanese-influenced food and drinks.
For something a little different, Mee So is a modern, neon-lit Japanese-influenced bar in the Ibis Sydney Central. Serving bold flavours and umami-heavy dishes alongside sake and yuzu-infused cocktails, this Tokyo-esque venue offers an escape from the busy streets outside. Order steaming ramen, a Japanese whisky, and make a corner of Mee So yours for the night.
6. Bar Morris, Haymarket
Settle into old-world European glamour.
Housed in a 1929 heritage-listed building, Bar Morris brings old-world European glamour to the Hotel Morris Sydney, part of Accor’s Handwritten Collection. More of a destination than a pitstop, this bar leans into its Art Deco past with velvet features, intimate lighting and bold brass finishes. Here you can order smaller plates like burrata, cured meats, and seasonal seafood to match your martini.
7. Pumphouse, Darling Harbour
Enjoy a tipple inside a building from the 1880s.
When you first walk into Pumphouse, you’ll quickly notice the high ceilings, exposed brick and industrial-style decor. Officially part of the busy Novotel Darling Square, this busy local hang doesn’t feel like it; it’s housed inside a former hydraulic pumping station from the 1880s – hence the name – and is a local institution. Grab a seat if you can and order off the classic modern Australian menu, before trying one of the many craft beers on tap to wash it down.
8. Wentworth Bar, CBD
Drink where the celebrities once did.
Designed for big groups and late-night cocktails, this open-air terrace bar is part of the Sydney Sofitel Wentworth – one of Sydney’s most iconic hotels. Once the watering hole of royals and celebrities, this mid-century building has recently been refurbished to be sleek, modern and inviting. The stunning rooftop bar attracts Sydneysiders who love to watch the sunset with a table full of Vietnamese and French-inspired dishes.
9. Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington
See the city skyline, drink in hand.
Sitting pretty on top of a restored 110-year-old theatre, Monica is a Hollywood-style rooftop bar with views across Paddington and the city skyline. Part of the 25hrs The Olympia hotel, this isn’t a quick drink kind of place; it’s a ‘let’s stay all night’ kind of venue. Weekend DJs will take you from sunset to late-night conversations, while you graze on ceviche, grilled meats or sharing plates.
