Byron Bay’s dreamiest new bathhouse has just opened

Byron Bay just got even dreamier with this Nordic-inspired bathhouse.

Navia Bathhouse has officially opened its doors, bringing a slice of Scandinavian wellness culture to Australia’s most iconic beach town. Designed around the Nordic principles of community, connection and “hygge" (that warm, cosy feeling of togetherness), Navia is a bathhouse where slowing down isn’t just encouraged – it’s ritualised.

Inspired by centuries-old sauna and hot-cold therapy traditions, Navia Bathhouse blends these time-honoured wellness rituals with a distinctly modern Australian vibe. The result? A stunning, minimalist sanctuary where you can unplug, reset and reconnect – with yourself, with your senses, and with the community around you.

Navia Bathhouse sauna in Byron Bay — Navia Bathhouse is inspired by centuries-old sauna and hot-cold therapy traditions. (Image: Elise Hassey)

Tucked away just minutes from Byron’s golden beaches, the light-filled bathhouse is already creating buzz among locals and visitors alike. Navia offers two blissful hours of complete access to its beautifully designed facilities, including a black timber sauna, a soothing steam room, a magnesium-rich hot pool, a spine-tingling 0-2°C ice plunge and an 8°C cold plunge.

There’s also a tranquil lounge space stocked with nourishing snacks and refreshing drinks to ease the transition from heat to cold, and back again. Whether you’re embracing the sweat of the sauna or braving the cold plunge for that famous post-therapy high, every moment at Navia is designed to make you feel more alive and grounded.

Navia Bathhouse in Byron Bay — Spend two hours alternating between the facilities. (Image: Elise Hassey)

Massage treatments are also available to complete your holistic wellness journey. Offering 60- and 90-minute sessions, Navia’s massages range from deep remedial massage to soothing relaxation and nurturing pregnancy treatments. Each massage is carefully crafted to complement the bathhouse experience, ensuring you leave feeling lighter, looser and deeply rejuvenated.

But Navia is more than just another day spa or bathhouse. The team behind it is passionate about creating a true community space – one that invites people from all walks of life to come together, slow down and savour life’s simple pleasures. It’s a philosophy rooted in authenticity, inclusiveness and care, and it shines through in every thoughtful detail, from the welcoming design to the friendly service.

Woman walking through Navia Bathhouse in Byron Bay — The Navia team are creating a true community space. (Image: Elise Hassey)

Open daily from 7am to 8pm, Navia is set to become Byron Bay’s go-to for those seeking moments of solitude, mindful reconnection or a shared wellness ritual with friends. In a town that’s all about chasing sunsets and good vibes, Navia brings a fresh new way to feel good – deeply, deliberately and completely.

Memberships start at $90 per week for unlimited sessions.

Navia Bathhouse has already started planning a second location in Melbourne’s Prahran, so keep your eyes peeled.

Navia Bathhouse reception in Byron Bay — Navia is a bathhouse where slowing down isn’t just encouraged – it’s ritualised. (Image: Elise Hassey)

An untapped side to this popular holiday spot is hiding in plain sight.

Laidback Lake Macquarie draws in holidaygoers and day trippers with its casual coastal allure and raw beauty. But even though it’s just 90 minutes from Sydney, most visitors have only scratched the surface of what this region has to offer.

Foodie hotspots, quaint towns, tranquil waterways and compelling art are all waiting to be discovered. You just need to know where to find them.

1. Most visitors don’t make it to the western side

Explore beyond the western side. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

While there’s no harm in walking the well-worn path in this idyllic pocket of the world, the area west of Lake Macquarie is defined by stretches of ancient rainforests and quaint towns with a more local feel. Toronto is the largest town on this side and features a golf course and sailing clubs, while peninsula-based Wangi Wangi is fantastic for bushwalking and swimming.

2. There’s a booming arts scene

Lake Macquarie is a must-visit destination for creatives. Discover the Museum of Art and Culture, YAPANG; this modern gallery is set on a five-hectare sculpture park and showcases a free rotating program of exhibitions and events, with a strong focus on contemporary Aboriginal art. In Wangi Wangi, explore the Wangi Owl Trail, which includes Dobell House, the preserved home of prolific artist Sir William Dobell. And enjoy live music every Saturday evening at the recently renovated Toronto Hotel.

3. It’s a nature lover’s paradise

three people swimming in lake macquarie — In and out of the water, find a natural paradise. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

Lake Macquarie is a playground for nature lovers. It’s home to Australia’s largest saltwater lake, a 110-square-kilometre haven for swimming, fishing, boating and sunset views. Another oasis is the Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area, a 761-hectare protected reserve with wildflowers, Second World War heritage sites and spectacular views to Pulbah Island. The upgraded Toronto baths, complete with jetty decking and netting, make for a sheltered spot for a refreshing dip, while the Awaba Mountain Bike Park gives adrenaline junkies their fix.

4. The dining scene is unbeatable

8 at Trinity lake macquarie — Treat yourself to 8 at Trinity.

Gourmands are well looked after in Lake Macquarie. At Emerson’s on the Lake in Toronto, the modern Australian fine dining menu spoils seafood lovers with the freshest ocean produce and stunning lake views. Sitting on Trinity Point’s waterfront, 8 at Trinity is another standout offering, serving Mediterranean fare in an open-air setting. For a more relaxed affair, the microbrewery trail lets craft beer enthusiasts sip on inventive brews from The Yard, Lake Mac Brewing and Bread & Brewery.

5. There are hidden coves and waterways

kayakers on lake macquarie local secrets — Get out onto the lake. (Credit: Beau Pilgrim)

There’s no better way to experience Lake Macquarie than directly on its waters, and in doing so you’ll discover a world of hidden coves and secluded waterways. Jump in a kayak for a tour with the friendly team at School of Yak and paddle to Cockle Creek, Awaba Bay, Green Point and Fennel Bay, discovering underwater life along the way. Or go all in and stay the night on one of Lake Macquarie Houseboats’ spacious vessels or hire a BBQ pontoon boat for the day from Lake Macquarie Boat Hire to enjoy a feast in the sunshine while admiring the marine life and picturesque waterscape.

6. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise

ll blue wren sitting on a tree branch — Keep an eye out for local birdlife. (Credit: Walter Coppola)

Twitchers are in for a real treat as hundreds of fascinating bird species such as Australian pelicans, black swans, white-bellied sea-eagles and superb fairy-wrens call this area home. Take a self-guided tour around top spots including Bird Cage Point and Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area (near Morisset) or be guided in a clear-bottom kayak through the waterways with Lake Macquarie Kayak Adventures, observing feathered friends as you go.

7. The lake has islands

sail lake macquarie — Charter a boat to see Lake Macquarie’s islands.

Hop on a private boat, kayak or charter around the lake to discover the plethora of small islands peppered around Lake Macquarie. The largest is Pulbah Island, a 69-hectare nature reserve home to goannas and sugar gliders with secluded beaches. Sandy islands such as Spectacle Island and Pelican Island have a tropical lagoon-like look to them as they sit in the tidal path of Swansea Channel, which filters the sand and creates a pristine environment. Stop by for a dip and a picnic.

Start living like the locals at visitlakemac.com.au.

Byron Bay’s dreamiest new bathhouse has just opened

Byron Bay just got even dreamier with this Nordic-inspired bathhouse.

This NSW town is officially the wellness capital of Australia – here’s how to experience it

The Bonobo by Raes: Byron Bay’s newest boutique hotel is a design-led oasis

Byron Bay finally has the bougie floating bar it deserves

Byron Bay’s new multi-venue dining precinct is unlike anything else in town

7 Lake Macquarie secrets the locals don’t want you to know