This new Finnish-style sauna on the Forestier Peninsula is worth the day trip.
The newly-opened Dunalley Bay Sauna offers a soothing reset on Tasmania’s Forestier Peninsula, tapping into Australia’s newfound obsession with saunas. Located an hour’s drive east of Hobart, it’s inviting wellness enthusiasts to unwind and sweat it out against picture-perfect water views that instantly calm.
Built with cedar and a Finnish Harvia heater, the six-person sauna was founded by two sauna-loving locals who wanted to bring the cosy warmth of the Finnish tradition to a quiet part of Tassie. Sitting in a coastal clearing on the waterfront in Murdunna (a few minutes’ drive past Dunalley village), the barrel design boasts large panoramic windows that face the bay.
This waterfront sauna blends comfort and style. (Credit: Ian Tyley Photography)
Visitors can book 60-minute group or private sessions, alternating between heat and cold coastal air (or a refreshing lake dip). It’s recommended to do three cycles of approximately 15 minutes to experience the full benefits – like aiding muscle recovery and reducing stress.
Reset both body and mind. (Credit: Ian Tyley Photography)
What can I explore nearby?
Dunalley is a small fishing village located an hour’s drive east of Hobart. Beyond the sauna, highlights include the Dunnalley Denison Canal swing bridge and Bangor Vineyard Shed for wine and oysters. It’s a lovely stopover on the way to the Tasman Peninsula which is home to the World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site and the Three Capes Track.
We’ve also mapped out the ultimate sauna trail across Tasmania, which showcases the best spots for a sauna sesh while soaking in the island’s breathtaking landscapes.
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
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The barrel design boasts large panoramic windows that face the bay, for optimum relaxation as you sweat it out. (Credit: Ian Tyley Photography)
The sauna features Finnish wood-fired heat. (Credit: Ian Tyley Photography)
Hit pause on the everyday hustle. (Credit: Ian Tyley Photography)
What should I bring to Dunalley Bay Sauna?
It’s generally recommended to wear a swimsuit or breathable shorts and a t-shirt in a sauna. As you will be sweating it out, a bottle of water will keep you hydrated.
Towel hire is available for $10, or you can bring your own.
What time of day is best to visit?
Given the sauna’s west-facing position, sunset makes for a lovely relaxation session after a day of exploring.
Details
Price: Public session, $35; Private sauna session, $140; Out of hours session, $240. 10-session sauna pass, $280; 5-session sauna pass $150.
Address: 3530 Arthur Highway, Murdunna, Tasmania, 7178
Facilities: Basic changing and rinse-off area and storage facilities. There are no toilets onsite.
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and Chablis connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
Tasmania’s crisp clear air, misty mountains, lakes and ancient forests beckon as winter approaches.
Travelling in the off season has many benefits, none more so in Tasmania, where it’s uncrowded and uncomplicated. Ease into winter with a getaway that spells relaxing with a glass of wine or local whisky, bathing under the stars, or gazing at reflections in pristine waters. Add fireside dining, wilderness walks, after-dark gallery visits and plenty of history and you’ve got a curated winter escape designed to make travelling in the quieter months of the year even more rewarding. NRMA Parks and Resorts’ Off Season Signature Packages across Tasmania (plus 10 per cent off for members) make all these things possible.
Cosy up at Cradle Mountain
Immerse into the wilderness at Cradle Mountain Hotel.
For an alpine wilderness experience like no other, chose Cradle Mountain Hotel for a winter getaway. You may even wake up to gently falling snow. Explore nearby Dove Lake, gaze at Cradle Mountain is and listen to the gush of waterfalls.
As Cradle Mountain works its charm, slow down to enjoy the crisp alpine air away from the hustle of the city. There are no crowds here, just serenity and the chance to recalibrate.
Cradle Mountain’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a bottle of wine (Retreat rom bookings only) and off-season dessert with dinner. Then sip on mulled wine as you wander through the Wilderness Gallery admiring the work of Tasmanian artists.
Finding the flavours of Freycinet
Stay at the only accommodation within beautiful Freycinet National Park.
As the only accommodation within Freycinet National Park, among the many reasons for staying at Freycinet Lodge is its easy access to stunning Wineglass Bay, Mt Amos and Honeymoon Bay.
By day it’s the place for communing with nature, taking hikes in some of Tasmania’s most beautiful locations. By night, savour the regional seasonal flavours of the east coast, sip mulled wine to keep out the chill and gaze up at the star-studded skies. This is slow coastal indulgence at its best.
Freycinet Lodge’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a hosted Flavours of the East Coast food and wine tasting experience and mulled wine under the stars, or beside the fire, after dinner.
Escape to lakeside Pumphouse Point
Stay cosy while looking out onto Lake St Clair.
Set on the edge of beautiful Lake St Clair in native bushland in the heart of Tasmania’s Central Highlands, Pumphouse Point has launched a new era for its boutique accommodation with the opening of two new luxury retreat rooms last October.
Each of the trio of rooms are thoughtfully designed, with an indoor fireplace and deep-soak bathtub, both perfect for a winter escape. This retreat offers dining and an expanded collection of hosted experiences, including a guided tour to learn more about this historic place, chocolate tastings and whisky tasting from local artisans – with more to come later in the season.
Borrow an e-bike and explore on your own, throw a line in, head off for a hike in the ancient forests that surround the lake, book a relaxing massage, or just settle in for an evening by the fire as the lake works its own magic.
Pumphouse Point’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast, larder lunch and dinner, a bottle of wine with dinner each night, and a chocolate or whisky tasting experience, as well as two $50 massage vouchers.
Slow down in Strahan Village
Explore UNESCO world heritage wilderness.
As the gateway to UNESCO world heritage wilderness, picturesque Strahan Village is the ideal base for exploring Tassie’s west coast. With a wide range of accommodation choices, from cosy waterfront colonial-style cottages to hotel rooms with sweeping views over Macquarie Harbour, it’s the perfect place for slow travel.
Join Gordon River Cruises to explore ancient wilderness and magical reflections on the Gordon River, wander through the village at your own pace or hire a bike to discover local secrets and attractions, including the iconic West Coast Wilderness Railway . Thrill-seekers can hire taboggans to hit the towering Henty Dunes.
Glamp under the stars at Port Arthur Holiday Park.
Spend your evenings glamping under the stars and your days stepping back in time as you explore the captivating stories of the World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site. Port Arthur Holiday Park is the perfect base for exploring the Tasman Peninsula and uncovering the stories of Australia’s colonial and convict past.
Surrounded by nature and history, this off-season escape has the all the makings of an unforgettable getaway. All glamping tents are heated to keep you warm during the off-season months when the nights get a little cooler, and have private bathrooms. Stargazing tents have the added luxury of an outdoor bath on the verandah.
The Port Arthur Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, a Port Arthur Historic Site tour for two and 10 per cent discount for dining at local restaurant On The Bay during your stay.
