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This new bathhouse in Melbourne feels like stepping into a rainforest

Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
Inner Studio has brought its popular wellness studio to South Yarra.

Incorporating wellness activities into our daily lives has gone from being the ultimate luxury to the new norm. Cold plunges, breathwork and sauna sessions were once buzzwords, but are now as routine as going to the gym. A host of stylish wellness spaces in Melbourne, including Inner Studio’s dreamy Collingwood venue, are contributing to making self-care more accessible and desirable than ever. And they’ve opened up a new hotspot to nourish your body and relax your mind when visiting Melbourne or enjoying a staycation.

People sitting in a bath at Inner Studio South Yarra
Inner Studio have expanded to South Yarra.

Following the success of their Collingwood outpost, Inner Studio has opened doors to a lush two-storey venue in South Yarra. The studio was founded by brothers and former AFL players Will Slade and Ben Sinclair, who unsurprisingly have a strong understanding of the importance of stress resilience and recovery. Rather than a traditional day spa, the space invites wellness enthusiasts to partake in the practices that they feel helped them perform at their best. 

A large timber sauna
Unwind in the 40-person sauna.

Downstairs, there are two curved concrete magnesium pools – a hot pool (38 degrees) and a cold pool (between 5 and 8 degrees), as well as the southern hemisphere’s largest sauna, fitting up to 40 people. Upstairs, an acoustically engineered studio hosts breathwork, yoga and mat Pilates classes. And to round out the offerings, a chill-out area with a fireplace and a tea station is designed to soothe the mind. 

Conceived in-house by Slade, both floors are designed to make you relax and linger. Lush greenery creates a rainforest-like feel while soft lighting keeps things instantly calming, and a materials palette of terrazzo tiles and concrete brings a bit of edge.

The adults-only space is open seven days a week, welcoming those keen to rest and recharge.

Details

Showers at Inner Studio South Yarra
Lush greenery contrasts with concrete and terrazzo.

Best for: Wellness enthusiasts and those in need of some recovery time

Address: 61-63 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141

Pricing: From $30. Full pricing list here.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 6am-9pm; Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 am-9pm

Age restrictions: 18+

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Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and Hotel Addict. She's responsible for the foundational content on AustralianTraveller.com, helping to manage and grow the brand’s destination guides. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to curating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love and Bed Threads. 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 is Lord Howe Island.
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The iconic Victorian beach where true Aussie surf culture was born

    Craig Tansley Craig Tansley
    Continue
    Torquay’s Bells Beach is considered one of the best surf beaches in the world.

    It’d be easy to think Australian surf culture was born around the right-hand point breaks of the Gold Coast and Byron Bay. These regions seem the epitome of how the world views Aussie surfers – bronzed (or burnt), languishing in warm water and sunshine. The reality is a lot different.

    The rise of surf culture along Victoria’s coastline

    surfers at Bells Beach in Australia
    Surfers stand on the shore at Bells Beach, where the country’s biggest surfing competition is held each year. (Image: Getty/Filed Image)

    True Aussie surf culture was born on the chilly waves of Victoria’s winters, when huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean hit cliff-lined beaches along the Great Ocean Road. These beaches were the ultimate proving ground – surfers from all over Australia arrived in panel vans and VWs to do battle with the biggest waves they could find.

    huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean at Bells Beach
    Surfers take advantage of the huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean at Bells Beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)

    There are surf breaks all along this very picturesque coast – but those around Torquay were most revered. The ultimate test of a surfer’s ability – and durability – however, was Bells Beach: Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. Just beyond, the breaks at Jan Juc and Winkipop beckoned.

    an aerial view of surfers at Bells Beach
    Hit the waves along the picturesque coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Torquay became surfing’s Silicon Valley: HQ for the entire Australian surf culture revolution. Four young locals worked out of their backyards in Torquay to create two of the world’s biggest surf labels – Rip Curl and Quiksilver, which soon became the region’s biggest employers.

    surfers out at Bells Beach
    Surfers out at Bells Beach, Victoria’s most famous beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)

    Rip Curl started sponsoring the Bells Beach Pro in 1973 – and have done ever since. It’s been going since 1962 – making it the world’s longest continually run surfing contest. Held every Easter, it’s part of the world surfing tour. Spectators line its 30-metre-high cliffs to watch the world’s best take on enormous waves – it’s the ultimate coliseum for the sport and has inspired generations of Aussie surfers to join the list of heroes whose names are on its iconic bell.

    Follow the waves through Victoria’s surfing heartland

    Australian National Surfing Museum, Torquay
    The Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Just behind Torquay’s main drag, you can see all that history on display at the world’s best surf museum – the Australian National Surfing Museum. Here you can take your time absorbing the 100-year-or-so history of Australian surfing and check out the 150-strong surfboard collection.

    surfboards on display at Australian National Surfing Museum
    The museum holds surfing memorabilia, including a room dedicated to the history of boards. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    But classic Aussie surf culture can be observed in everyday life all over the Great Ocean Road and Torquay. Surfing dictates life here; no work is done until the big swells have come and gone. Just being here provides a window into 60-odd years of rebellion against convention; for no-one likes nine-to-five living on the Great Ocean Road.

    surfing memorabilia at Australian National Surfing Museum
    The varied displays celebrate the Bells Beach competition, surfing legends and Aussie surf culture. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    There’s less panel vans and VW Beetles these days, but surf culture still rules life. Surfers run this coast; you’re better off keeping out of their way when they’re running down past you to face the biggest swells – then hear them swap stories at cafes, restaurants and bars all around you.

    surfing at Bells Beach
    The beach near Torquay is Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. (Image: Visit Victoria/William Watt)