City views, a sparkling harbour and the serenity of a floating sauna? Sign us up.
Picture this: just you (add a small handful of your favourite people to this fantasy, if you wish) and the city skyline, the buzz and worries of city life melting away as you sit on your boat. And it’s not just any boat, it’s a custom-built floating sauna experience offering hot and cold therapy right on the deck. It’s Sauna Boat Melbourne.
Saunas have become the hottest trend in wellness. And while we may not have three million of them like Finland, the obsession is growing in Australia, with stunning sauna experiences popping up all over the country. From hinterland havens to urban sanctuaries, the growing number reflects the interest in the benefits of hot and cold therapy.
Australia’s first-ever floating sauna experience is now in Melbourne. (Image: Jackson Loria)
Sauna Boat Tasmania grabbed our attention for being Australia’s first-ever floating sauna experience. The custom-built timber and brass-clad sauna cabin is moored on a pontoon at Oyster Cove Marina and offers floor-to-ceiling windows revealing views across Little Oyster Bay and Bruny Island. Wellness enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that the experience is expanding, with a second outpost set to open in Melbourne.
Recently launched in Docklands, Sauna Boat Melbourne offers hot and cold therapy from its custom-built boat that boasts uninterrupted water and skyline views. Visitors can alternate between basking in the warmth of the timber-lined sauna and plunging into the ice baths on the deck, a practice which may promote relaxation, improve circulation and reduce inflammation.
Sauna enthusiast and founder Daniel Bush designed and hand-crafted both boats, intending to create spaces where people can pause, breathe deeply and leave feeling rejuvenated.
Wellness enthusiasts can expect to feel the benefits of cold and cold therapy. (Image: Jackson Loria)
“In the rush of everyday life, we often forget to slow down. Sauna Boat Melbourne invites you to do just that – sweat, plunge, breathe. It’s wellness made simple, on the water, in the heart of it all," explains Bush.
Onboard, guests will find a timber sauna room, cold plunge baths, a cold freshwater shower and outdoor seating. There are also changing facilities aboard the boat, but you’ll need to pop into the toilet before boarding.
And, it’s all eco-friendly. The fully-electric sauna maintains an optimal temperature of around 80°C.
Operating year-round, guests can pick the Melbourne season that most suits their vibe. Is it misty Melbourne mornings? Sunlit summer afternoons? Or maybe golden-hour plunges?
Sessions are available for private groups or small shared bookings, so come solo, as a couple, or with friends.
The Docklands location means this sauna is the perfect micro-retreat for busy Melburnians and visitors alike, whether you’re seeking a solo wellness escape or a shared experience with friends.
Enjoy city and harbour views with your wellness. (Image: Jackson Loria)
The details
Where: Victoria Harbour, Docklands Availability: initially open for bookings on weekends between 7am and 7pm, with additional days to be added Website: saunaboatmelbourne.com.au
Originally written by Rachael Thompson. Updated by Kassia Byrnes.
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
No matter your age and no matter your interests, Victoria’s coastal Bellarine region makes for a memorable getaway for the whole family.
Curving into Port Phillip Bay and extending south from Geelong, The Bellarine is a gorgeous coast-meets-country destination. It’s a captivating mix of beachside towns, rolling farms and vineyards, effortlessly cool eating and drinking spots and coastal vistas that seem to stretch beyond the horizon.
Among its many highlights is a plethora of family-friendly activities to suit all ages and all interests. Here’s your guide to the ultimate Bellarine getaway guaranteed to keep every generation happy.
1. Tuckerberry Hill Farm
Pick your own fruit at Tuckerberry Hill Farm.
There may be no better way to spend an early morning than by foraging and feasting on your own bounty of berries. At Tuckerberry Hill Farm , you can pick blueberries, strawberries and stone fruit from November through March. Take them home or enjoy on the farm’s sun-dappled grounds.
Tuckerberry also has a regular market selling farm-fresh produce, plus an inviting on-site cafe doing light lunches, drinks, home-baked treats and condiments – many of which incorporate the farm’s own harvest.
2. The Oxley Estate
Wake up to the neighbours.
A memorable holiday starts with a memorable place to stay, and The Oxley Estate delivers. Situated in the relaxed coastal town of Portarlington, the sprawling site offers thoughtfully styled rooms and activities that’ll keep both parents and kids entertained.
Wander the fragrant rose gardens, olive grove and fruit-laden orchards. Meet the resident alpacas, donkeys, goats, sheep, chickens and ducks. Challenge your crew to a round of giant chess or mini golf. Or cool off in the shimmering saltwater pool after a busy day of exploring.
Different room types cater to different groups, with the largest able to comfortably sleep eight.
3. Oneday Estate
Taste small batch wines at Oneday Estate.
Oneday Estate is a must-visit. The winery lets you try small-batch, estate-grown shiraz, pinot noir and riesling. It’s also a vibrant and character-filled Sunday lunch spot.
The on-site eatery and bar hosts weekly Sunday Sessions accompanied by tunes from local musicians, a buzzy atmosphere and flavour-packed food and drink. Order a round of delicious woodfired pizzas with toppings to suit all tastes, alongside a glass of Oneday’s signature wine.
The restaurant is also a sight to behold, an eclectic stone-and-timber hall crafted from recycled materials and 100-year-old relics repurposed from the surrounding region.
4. BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Beacon
Kids will love BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Beacon.
BIG4 holiday parks are renowned for their all-ages appeal, and BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Beacon in the coastal enclave of Queenscliff is no different. The pool and gym are a given, but there’s also a playground, pickleball and basketball courts, a jumbo-sized jump pad, an interactive games arena and an indoor games room equipped with toys, activities and entertainment.
The diverse range of accommodation spans compact studios designed for three guests, all the way up to expansive beach houses accommodating up to 10, providing comfort and flexibility to suit every size of family.
5. Bellarine Railway
Take a journey aboard the Bellarine Railway.
If your entourage includes any locomotive enthusiasts, book a journey aboard the Bellarine Railway . The more than 100-year-old steam train transports you to a bygone era and takes you through the rolling farmland and windswept coastal landscapes that make The Bellarine so beautiful.
The Swan Bay Express is an easy 45-minute ride perfect for younger passengers (and even allows dogs on board), or you could opt for a themed trip. There are seasonal events like the Polar Express (a festive favourite in the lead-up to Christmas), along with the Blues Train (a high-energy experience of live music and dancing) and the Q Train (a roving fine-dining feast celebrating regional produce).
6. The Dunes
Save room for dessert. (Image: Visit Vic)
The Dunes offers the perfect balance of polished and playful, a breezy beachside bar and restaurant that appeals to adults and kids alike.
Feast on moreish snacks, share plates and mains from the Italian-inspired menu, or a selection of San Marzano-topped pizzas fresh from the wood-fired oven. Pair your meal with a classic cocktail, an ice-cold beer or a glass from the generous drinks menu, which brims with local drops. Little ones are well catered for with a line-up of kid-approved meals for breakfast and lunch.
If you’re simply swinging by en route to the family-friendly beach, grab a bite at The Dunes’ beachside kiosk before strolling down for a paddle or surf.
7. Sea All Dolphin Swims
Spot the locals with Sea All Dolphin Swims. (Image: Visit Vic)
The sparkling waters around The Bellarine are home to dolphins, fur seals, little penguins, humpback and southern right whales, plus a flurry of seabirds. Sea All Dolphin Swims lets you see some of these magnificent animals up close aboard one of their small-group vessels.
Head out on a sightseeing tour and spot local wildlife darting around the boat, or dive right in with a swim adventure tour. You’ll be swimming alongside dolphins and seals in their natural habitat – a bucket-list experience you won’t forget fast.
Swimming and snorkelling gear is provided, and guides are trained to ensure a gentle, eco-friendly encounter for both swimmers and sea creatures.
8. Jack Rabbit
Everyone has a menu to enjoy at Jack Rabbit. (Image: Visit Vic)
If your mood leans laid-back, the House of Jack Rabbit is a lovely spot for brunch, lunch or dinner. The cafe serves a produce-driven all-day menu filled with seasonal mains, generous sharing platters and a playful kids menu to suit even the pickiest of eaters.
If you’re after something more elevated, Jack Rabbit Restaurant does plates that change with the seasons and incorporate plenty of local produce. Even younger guests are well catered to, with a considered yet familiar kids’ menu that’s just as vibrant as the grown-up one.
