October 29, 2024
18 Best Wellness and Recovery Spaces Australia – Retreat and Recover With Sauna, Ice and More
We include links to products we think are useful for our readers. If you click and buy a product through one of the affiliate links on this page, we may earn a small commission.
Best Wellness and Recovery Spaces Australia
Recovery is the new yoga, with boutique wellness spaces popping up all across Australia offering sauna, ice bath and compression boots, red light therapy, massage, oxygen therapy and even IV therapy for your weekend hangover cure.
The burgeoning of recovery centres, particularly surrounding cold plunge and sauna, has meant many gyms are adding a dedicated recovery section to their space, while fully recovery focussed, bathhouse style wellness centres and sports recovery centred businesses cater to professional athletes and those just looking to seek relaxation. The masses are definitely catching on to the benefits of sauna for recovery and how ice baths can give a welcome boost to the mood.
In this article we pin point the best wellness spaces, recovery centres and retreats from Sydney to Gold Coast to Western Australia offering the much sought after sweaty sauna, cold plunge and all the treatments in between.
Best in Byron Bay: Social Remedy Byron
Pricing: $
Location: Byron Bay
Overall rating: 4.8 out of 5
Services/Description:
With a global crowd coming and going from Byron Bay as well as a health centric local population, its no wonder that Byron Bay and surrounds is home to a handful of popular spaces offering sauna, ice baths, red light, IV therapy and more.
Social Remedy, Bryon Bay has one of the best cold plunge line-ups I have come across in a recovery space, with six identical Odin Ice Baths each at a different temperature ranging from about 9 degrees down to close to 0 degrees. Social remedy has a super friendly group of staff and has a focus on social connection, as the name suggests. This is a feature that extends into the large two-tiered traditional Finnish sauna with a massive hot stone tower and glass window connecting the three seat steam room. Social remedy also offers newly introduced hyperbaric oxygen chamber, infrared sauna and IV Therapy sessions at an additional cost to the wellness space which gives you an hour to move between the ice baths and saunas as you please for $45.
Best in Sydney: Recoverie Coogee
Pricing: $$
Location: Coogee, NSW
Overall rating: 4.2 out of 5
Services/Description:
The fitness scene in the Eastern suburbs is big. Active and health focussed populations dominate the demographic, and the hundreds of gyms spread across the Eastern beach of Sydney cater for the fit crowd. It is no surprise that Recoverie in Coogee, is a popular post-gym visit. Recoverie “believe wellness and recovery are key to living a healthy lifestyle and optimising high performance.”
Varying unique memberships, single visit passes and multiple service options apply at Recoverie. Recoverie Coogee offers contrast therapy with a side by side cold pool and hot tub that fits about 5-6 people in each. There are two large traditional saunas that are set at different temperatures and offer space for 4-5 people at a time. There is also a large infrared sauna that can seat a few people at a time but from personal experience this sauna didn’t seem to be able to get hot enough. In another portion of the space, Recoverie offers Normatec Compression Boots with reclining chairs, Hypervolt Massage guns, Hyperbaric Chamber, and a niche Zero Gravity floatation bed that is like a float tank but dry.
Best in Adelaide: Plunge South Australia
Pricing: $$
Location: Adelaide, SA
Overall rating: 4 out of 5
Services/Description:
Plunge Recovery is Adelaide’s newest hot and cold hydrotherapy facility, which also includes saunas, Normatec Compression boots and remedial massage. Plunge recovery features four deep plunge pools for full body cold water immersion and heated plunge. Their cold plunge pools are set at 7 and 14 degrees Celsius and the two hot tubs are set at 28 and 40 degrees Celsius for contrast therapy.
This Adelaide wellness space also offers 8 separate lounges to lay back and use the Normatec boots or massage guns for up to a 60 minute session. There are two infrared sauna spaces, each with room for up to 5 people and reaching temperatures of up to 75 degrees Celsius. They have some pretty spicy deals for plunge or sauna passes, like 10 x 30 minute cold plunge for $245 or 10 x infrared sauna sessions for $140.
Best in Manly: Rimba Sweat
Pricing: $$
Location: Manly and Neutral Bay, NSW
Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5
Services/Description:
Rimba Sweat was really the first space to introduce Manly to infrared sauna therapy. Rimba sweat has squeezed five sauna rooms of varying sizes into their space in Manly, with an really cool washed render aesthetic and individual shower in each sauna space to wash off after your sweat. Rimba Sweat is actually a pleasure to visit, always really clean and quality finishings making for a vibey experience.
Although the new Rimba Sweat in Neutral Bay allows for contrast therapy bookings with one of their rooms offering communal Finnish ice bath and sauna, most of the rooms across the two studio locations are purely infrared sauna. Rimba have really good quality Clearlight Saunas on offer in all of their rooms and each sauna includes an Ipad for in-sauna entertainment while you sweat.
Rimba take bookings through Fresha and have their offering set at $45 for a single 50 minute session or $55 for couples. At the Neutral Bay studio they offer the communal contrast therapy at $65 for a single 60 minute session, $120 for two people or $165 for three people.
Best in Blue Mountains: Blue Mountains Sauna
Pricing: $
Location: Blue Mountains, NSW
Overall rating: 4.1 out of 5
Services/Description:
I have been going to the Blue Mountains for day trips for years and always thought it would be amazing to have access to a beautiful traditional sauna and ice bath after a big hike or for a weekend stay in the mountains. Well, Blue Mountains sauna have ticked that box and offer the best sauna Blue Mountains.
Blue Mountains Sauna are all about the cultural experience of saunas and have a beautiful, large traditional Finnish sauna as well as an ice bath/cold plunge. The Blue Mountains Sauna sells visits as a contrast therapy style offering, or “sit, sweat, chill, repeat”, as they call it, which occasionally feature Male Only or Female only sessions. What we also love is that they are offering a 2 hour session for $35 which is really good value for contrast therapy wellness.
Blue Mountains sauna is located in the Leura area of the Blue Mountains and is really the perfect addition to your relaxing weekend stay or day trip hike in the blue mountains.
Book a visit at Blue Mountains Sauna
Best in Western Australia: The Neighbourhood Sauna
Pricing: $
Location: Freemantle and South Beach, WA
Overall rating: 3.9 out of 5
Services/Description:
The Neighbourhood Sauna is the best sauna WA, offering both infrared sauna and ice baths. Neighbourhood sauna is located in Freemantle, Western Australia and now also at iconic South Beach. Neighbourhood sauna offer some pretty well prced packages including their signature “Fire and Ice” combo which is $60 for solo or $110 for couples. A single sauna session of 45 minutes is $45 for singles or $55 for couples which is a pretty standard price point for infrared saunas.
Book a sauna at Neighbourhood Sauna
Best in Hunter Valley: The Wellness Farm
Pricing: $$$$
Location: Hunter Valley, NSW
Overall rating: 4.8 out of 5
Services/Description:
The Wellness Farm in the Hunter Valley is the best wellness retreat Hunter Valley. It is located on a huge 37 acres of land in Broke and was created with a goal of encouraging connection to the body and nature through movement, yoga, breathwork, sauna and ice baths.
The Wellness Farm is on Airbnb and is not so much a single visit style recovery space, but more a up market wellness accommodation that you can spoil your loved one with or go for a solo weekend to switch off, unwind and reconnect with yourself. There are 6 luxury villa on offer and a 3 bedroom Hamptons style cottage for larger groups. The retreat allows you to access a Barrell Sauna and Hot tub on site, as well as cold plunge and other movement sessions like yoga and pilates. Not only that, the Wellness Farm is located a short distance from award winning wineries and restaurants if you want to add a bit of wining and dining to your wellness weekend.
Visit The Wellness Farm for details
Best Retreat: Soma Byron Bay
Pricing: $$$$$
Location: Byron Bay
Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5
Services/Description:
Soma Byron Bay is an amazing retreat nestled in the hinterland of Byron Bay. You might have seen it on Netflix’s Nine perfect strangers staring one of Australia’s greatest exports, Nicole Kidman. Or maybe you’ve seen it Instagram as a beautiful space designed for immersive retreats, masterclasses, photoshoots, yoga and movement or as a holiday rental. This place really has it all. It’s no surprise Soma Byron Bay has become one of the most popular retreats in the Northern Rivers. They blend modern science with ancient wisdom to create a strong foundation around wellness, consciousness, movement and immersion to be your very healthiest self.
Best in Mosman: Tsavo
Pricing: $$$$
Location: Mosman, Sydney
Overall rating: 4.1 out of 5
Services/Description:
Tsavo is the best wellness spot in North Sydney. It is a sanctuary for all things rejuvenation; the mind, body and soul.
They offer wellness services such as Cryotherapy, Infrared Sauna, Red Light therapy, Lymphatic massage and AirPod Hydroxy. Tsavo is the best wellness space to relax and unwind from living a stressful and busy life. Incorporating a weekly visit to this all encompassing space will help improve your recovery, reduce anxiety, promote youthful ageing and assist those struggling with weightless. Looking after your mind and body has never been so easy. Drop in for a visit as their treatments start for as little as $45.
Best in Melbourne: Sense of Self Bathhouse
Pricing: $$$
Location: Collingwood, Victoria
Overall rating: 4.8 out of 5
Services/Description:
Sense of Self in Victoria is the best wellness in the Melbourne region. This bathhouse is located in Fitzroy and has been designed to help you discover who you are through your body and mind. It incorporates a Finnish sauna, a mineral bath and a cold plunge.
The perfect trio to help unwind in the busy lives that we lead. Sense of Self ask you to come as you are and let the foundations of ancient bathhouses to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with who you are. The space is well thought out with a European-feel to it; terracotta tiles, Italian green walls, masonry stone spread throughout arched walkways. This place will transport you just for a moment in time. Highly recommend.
Best in Double Bay: Shelter
Pricing: $$$$
Location: Double Bay, Sydney
Overall rating: 4.2 out of 5
Services/Description:
Double Bay’s Shelter is one of Sydney’s hottest spots for wellness. Quite literally. The creators of Shelter have created a gym/spa combo that seamlessly intertwines all the necessary elements for optimal recovery — Movement, Heat and Ice. They offer a traditional sauna that heats up to 90 degrees Celsius, an Infrared Sauna available for 1 and 2 people and and an Ice Bath to pair some contrast therapy with. This wellness space also offers spin and boxing classes along with an in-house juicery. This wellness space has a modern aesthetic that attracts those from the Eastern Suburbs looking to get healthy and look fit.
Best in Sunshine Coast: Salt Caves
Pricing: $$$
Location: Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast
Overall rating: 4.1 out of 5
Services/Description:
This wellness space in the Sunshine Coast, Salt Caves has over 7 years of experience in the recovery industry. They are a reputable space that offer Infrared Saunas, Salt Therapy and Massage. Their motto of ‘Breathe, Heal and Rest’ are a perfect trio to cover your recovery needs. Whether you live in the Sunshine Coast region and are looking for a local spot, or you’re a traveller holidaying in the Sunshine Coast region, Salt Caves Mooloolaba are a reasonably priced and comfortable space to reset yourself. Their point of difference offering Salt Therapy in their Himalayan Salt Cave is a sure way to put it at the top of your list for a wellness space visit.
Best in Freshwater: Mesa
Pricing: $$$
Location: Northern Beaches, Sydney
Overall rating: 4.7 out of 5
Services/Description:
Mesa – this wellness house is as relaxed as it’s location, Freshwater beach. Tucked up near the Main Street, this space is the best sanctuary to unwind and reset if you live on the Northern Beaches or are visiting the area. Their specialities range from a bespoke range of massages and Infrared Sauna. Mesa as a wellness house want you to make looking after your body and mind a ritual, and it’s really hard not to when they have designed the space with fun, bold terracotta branding and thought-out details scattered around the space. Mesa is a relaxed environment where you can feel right at home. A big yes from us. Although, be careful. When you get there, you won’t want to leave.
Best in Gold Coast: Soak Bath House
Pricing: $
Location: Gold Coast, Brisbane, QLD
Overall rating: 4.4 out of 5
Services/Description:
Soak is an invitation to reconnect, recover and recharge, with a social aspect of communal spaces throughout the bath house. Soak on the Gold Coast, is a modern wellness house, with clean and thought out design. Soak attracts one of the most broad range of clientele I have seen. In Soak, I have witnessed everyone from the elite athlete with knowledge of all the benefits of sauna and ice baths to the weekend warrior jumping in the hot tub with a alcoholic beverage (or kombucha) in hand. Yes, they do serve alcohol, not something I would go for in a hot sauna but the option is there!
Soak has also recently expanded to Brisbane, with epic views of the city. Soak offers cold plunge, steam sauna rooms, traditional sauna, magnesium pools, hot spas and massage. As a side note, Soak also does a cool little co workspace at the Gold Coast space.
Soak Bath House has some of the best value wellness I have seen, offering a 90 minute session to bounce between sauna, cold plunge, pools and spas for as little as $49 which includes a fresh towel and a selection of teas. For a beginner to the sauna and ice bath scene, this place is relaxed and open, with nothing to prove.
Best in Bondi: Slow House
Pricing: $$$
Location: Bondi, Sydney
Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5
Services/Description:
Slow House Bondi is a treat to the senses. Slow House places emphasis on conscious life choices, taking a balanced, meaningful, and positive approach to the daily. Soak has notes of a Roman bath culture and is aesthetically amazing to spend your time switching off.
Slow House focusses on Infrared Sauna, Cold Plunge and Red Light Therapy, some of the big three powerhouses for recovery that are often under rated. All three modalities can be mixed together in packages or bought as single visit passes. They also offer an interesting membership option which we have not seen before, which is capped to 50 members and goes for $79/week and gets you 2 saunas per week and you can bring a friend for free.
Slow House has various sizes of infrared sauna spaces ( 3 different sizes), each for a different price which caters to everyone. They also have a traditional coal sauna which costs $40 for 60 minutes and is more of a communal space. The ice baths are a bit more of a private affair, something I like because I really don’t want to talk to anyone when I’m trying to survive an ice bath, at $25 for a 15 minute session. The red light therapy is Omnilux and is $99 for 30 minutes.
Best in Tasmania: Floating Sauna Lake Derby Tasmania
Pricing: $$$
Location: Lake Derby, Tasmania
Overall rating: 4.3 out of 5
Services/Description:
The Floating Sauna Tasmania is not your average sauna session. The Floating Sauna is the type of activity fit for an anniversary present or for some pure self indulgence. You can either book a shared sauna here for $45 or a private experience for $225.
The Floating Sauna is literally that, a pristine floating sauna, located in Lake Derby Tasmania. Even the drive through the winding trails to get to the Floating Sauna is enough to make you feel like you’ve escaped the hustle. Expect a whole lot of peace and quiet at the Floating Sauna, this is a tranquil experience to say the least.
Check out the Floating Sauna Lake Derby
Final Word on Best Wellness and Recovery Spaces Australia
With a wellness recovery space offering one of the many services like sauna, ice baths, compression, massage and red light therapy getting more common, you have no excuse to look after yourself.
Short of having the budget to have these amazing exercise recovery tools at home, we recommend a weekly visit to a cold plunge and sauna for some contrast therapy to keep the vibes high and the muscle soreness low. With all of the strong evidence attached to how good these recovery practices are, it’s no wonder more than just athletes are catching on to regular use.
Whether you are looking for the best sauna Sydney, ice bath in Gold Coast or IV therapy for hangovers, one of these ever expanding recovery and wellness spaces or retreats around Australia will keep you well recovered and reconnected with your health.
Jayce Love
Jayce has spent the last decade in the military as an elite Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diver and has an ever growing passion for biohacking and recovery for peak performance. Jayce has accreditations in fitness and nutrition, cold water immersion, and regularly adopts human Guinea pig status to test out the latest tools, techniques, practices, gear and gadgets in the name of optimal fitness, recovery and wellness.