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.
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.
“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.
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
Discover the wellness retreat hidden in an ancient rainforest
Originally written by Rachael Thompson. Updated by Kassia Byrnes.
