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A floating sauna has just opened in Victoria’s High Country

Rachael ThompsonBy Rachael Thompson
Pause and unwind in this Scandi-style wellness retreat.

Saunas are having a moment. What was once a niche wellness ritual is now a global lifestyle trend, offering delightful hotspots to unwind and enjoy the physical, mental and even social benefits of heat therapy. The latest floating wellness retreat to capture our attention is the peaceful Stillwater Saunas, Beechworth , North-East Victoria’s first floating sauna.

Stillwater Saunas, Beechworth
Stillwater Saunas, Beechworth, is North-East Victoria’s first floating sauna.

Sitting pretty on Lake Sambell in the foothills of Victoria’s High Country, this Scandi-style sauna invites guests to feel the heat and unwind, be present and reconnect with nature. Crafted from high-quality softwoods, the sleek design sensitively blends in with the surrounding native bushland and trees. The sauna fits up to five guests, making it perfect for small groups who can enjoy the signature löyly – a gentle, soothing steam created when water is poured over the heated sauna stones on the wood-fired stove. Enjoy the smell of the wood, warmth and crackle of the fire while admiring lake views from the sauna’s expansive windows. 

Stillwater Saunas, Beechworth
Feel the heat while admiring picturesque lake views.

While the sauna is accessible year-round, winter offers a truly comforting time of year to enjoy it. Guests are encouraged to feel the full benefits by alternating between the cosy warmth of the sauna and the invigorating chill of the waters of Lake Sambell. 

The sauna is a 10-minute walk from Beechworth’s town centre, which is a three-hour drive from Melbourne. Renowned for its well-preserved historic buildings, vineyards and Victorian gold rush history, Beechworth is a charming town offering gourmet food, artisan markets and scenic walks. Other must-visit stops during your stay include Beechworth Bakery, Beechworth Gorge Walk circuit, the Old Beechworth Gaol and the Beechworth Honey Shop. Staying at the asylum-turned-upscale spa hotel The Benev should also be on the cards. 

Stillwater Saunas, Beechworth
The sleek sauna blends in with the landscape.

Whether you’re after a wellness weekend or a memorable lakeside experience, Stillwater Saunas, Beechworth, is one to add to the bucket list. 

Details

Best for: Wellness enthusiasts

Pricing: 1-hour shared pass, $50; 1-hour private pass, $250 (up to 5); Multi 10 pass $400 or Multi 5 Pass $225.

Address: McConville Ave, Lake Sambell, Beechworth VIC

Opening hours: Friday to Monday 8am-6pm; Wednesday and Thursday 6pm-9pm; Closed Tuesdays.

What’s provided?: A towel and water for each guest

Toilets: Public toilets are located

Parking: Parking is located 80 metres away

Accessibility: Access for guests with disabilities is available. Contact Stillwater Saunas for more details. 

Rachael Thompson
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.
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This geological wonder is hiding in the heart of Victoria

    Michael TurtleBy Michael Turtle
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    Mythical, historical and most of all, spectacularly beautiful, Buchan Caves demands you take your time – and a tour. 

    In the pools of water, so still they could be mirrors, the reflections of the stalactites make these limestone towers seem even taller. Almost 400 million years ago, an underground river carved through the rock to create the Buchan Caves . Now, artworks created by dripping water adorn these subterranean galleries: stalactites hanging from the ceiling, pillars connecting some to the ground, even curtain-like wave formations clinging to the stone.

    Caves House
    Visit the caves for the day or stay onsite in the campground or at the self-contained Caves House. (Image: Ben Savage)

    “This is called the Fairy Cave because it’s full of fairy dust,” a guide tells visitors as they enter a cavern glittering with “calcite that’s solidified into thousands of tiny little diamond shapes”.  Buchan Caves is Victoria’s largest cave system, but Fairy Cave is a highlight and, along with nearby Royal Cave, is accessible only by tour. Naturally cold, naturally dark, these caverns deep below the surface light up as the local experts tell their stories. 

    couple walking in cave
    You’ll need to book a guided tour to see the caves. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Among the hundreds of caves, some can be easily accessed from the surface. For instance, a casual stroll along the FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk, as kangaroos watch on from beneath acacia trees, leads into the 400-metre-long Federal Cave and its natural steps of white limestone. A slightly longer track, the Granite Pools Walk heads through soaring forest down into moss-covered gullies where the calls of lyrebirds trill through the leaves. 

    A quick history lesson on Buchan Caves 

    Buchan Caves
    Buchan Caves are a must-visit attraction in Gippsland. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Among the geology and the nature are millennia of history. This part of East Gippsland connects the high country to the coast and was long a place of refuge for the local Gunaikurnai people on seasonal migrations to the mountains. Archaeological studies show humans lived here up to 18,000 years ago, with artefacts such as small stone tools found around the site. But not too far into the caverns – oh no! The Gunaikurnai didn’t dare venture deep into the dark at Buchan Caves, telling stories they were inhabited by gnome-like nyols (small grey-skinned creatures that could steal memories). 

    Buchan Caves Hotel
    The Buchan Caves Hotel was rebuilt after burning down in 2014. (Image: Jess Shapiro)

    By the early 1900s, more people had started to hear about these incredible caves and so the Moon family set up home at the site and started to run tours below ground for intrepid visitors. More than a century later, their historic residence is available as accommodation, with the three-bedroom house sleeping up to eight people and now equipped with modern amenities the Moons could only have dreamt of. 

    But whether you stay overnight or just spend the day here, it’s worth taking your time to explore more than just the main caves, to get a deeper understanding of one of Victoria’s fascinating geological attractions.