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This luxe new bathhouse will be your summer obsession

Emily MurphyBy Emily Murphy
The cult-favourite bathhouse is bringing its award-winning soak sessions to another Sydney location, just in time for summer.

Sydney’s east, your summer self-care plans just got an upgrade. This December, Soak Bathhouse is opening its second Sydney outpost, this time in Bondi Junction, promising the kind of wellness experience that feels equal parts spa day, social hangout and mini escape.

Forget hushed voices and solo spa visits, Soak Bathhouse is here to make self-care social. Designed to be a space where connection and wellbeing coexist, the new Bondi Junction location invites guests to move between magnesium-rich hot and warm mineral pools, invigorating cold plunges, steam rooms and dry cedar saunas, all surrounded by lush greenery and tropical-style interiors.

The vibe? More boutique beach club than day spa, with an energy that fits perfectly into Bondi’s breezy wellness scene.

The perfect summer reset

Women in mineral pool at Soak Bathhouse Bondi Junction
Soak Bathhouse is here to make self-care social. (Image: Supplied)

Whether you’re chasing post-beach recovery or an easy afternoon recharge, Soak offers flexible options, from quick 90-minute soak sessions to full spa experiences. You can level up your visit with massages, infrared sauna sessions or LED red light therapy, all designed to help your body rest and reset.

Sessions start from $39, making indulgence feel refreshingly accessible.

And yes, you can go solo, but this is the kind of place you’ll want to share. Swap cocktail catch-ups for cold plunges or date nights that end with a sauna and a sunset smoothie.

As CEO and co-founder, Alexis Dean puts it, “We want Soak Bathhouse to be the antidote to [burnout] – a space where you can drop in for 60 or 90 minutes, reconnect with yourself or your friends, and feel like yourself again. It’s social wellness designed for busy modern life."

Golden beginnings

Woman in sauna at Soak Bathhouse Bondi Junction
Help your body rest and reset at Soak. (Image: Supplied)

Soak Bathhouse first made waves in Queensland with its modern, affordable approach to luxury wellness. Now, with thriving locations in the Gold Coast’s Mermaid Beach, Brisbane’s West End, Melbourne’s South Yarra and Sydney’s Alexandria, the expansion to Bondi Junction cements its reputation as Australia’s go-to destination for everyday indulgence.

Spanning 700 square metres, the new bathhouse will open inside Verdical, a $16 million wellness-focused development by Luigi Rosselli Architects, known for its vertical gardens, rooftop terraces and nature-inspired design. It’s a space that blends the healing power of nature with urban convenience – the perfect antidote to city stress, without leaving Sydney.

Inside, expect leafy surrounds, timber finishes and the same signature “urban oasis" aesthetic that’s become a Soak hallmark.

The details

Group of friends in mineral pool at Soak Bathhouse Bondi Junction
Soak Bathhouse Bondi Junction opens in December 2025. (Image: Supplied)
  • Opening: December 2025
  • Where: 88 Ebley Street, Bondi Junction, NSW
  • Opening hours:
    Mon–Thurs: 6.30 am to 10 pm
    Fri–Sun: 6.30 am to midnight
  • Cost: From $39 for a 90-minute soak
  • What to expect: Warm and hot magnesium-rich mineral pools, invigorating cold plunges, aromatic steam rooms, dry cedarwood saunas, infrared sauna, LED facial and meditation therapy, and massage.

Enjoyed this? Discover more of Sydney’s best bathhouses.

Emily Murphy
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
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Your first look at Australia’s brand-new luxury camp

    Kate BettesBy Kate Bettes
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    The heavens take centre stage at this Outback NSW glamping lodge.

    Crane your neck. Look up. If it’s nighttime in a major Australian city, you might see a faint dusting of stars. Now imagine yourself out in the bush. Here, those stars aren’t just scattered dots – instead, they’re smudged across the sky in endless, glittering streaks. Welcome to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit , a new glamping lodge in one of the most picturesque corners of outback NSW.

    Between its eight stargazing tents, Gilay Guest Lounge, and shared tales of the Dreamtime night sky, this retreat is designed to exist in harmony with the breathtaking lake and surrounding landscape. Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know.

    Bathed in warm light, a couple watches the sun dip beyond the horizon.
    Watch the sky melt into magic at Wilderluxe.

    Getting to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit is in the NSW Northern Tablelands, bordered by the Great Dividing Range. The lake itself is hard to miss: this mammoth body of water is two-thirds the size of Sydney Harbour.

    Just 40 minutes from Tamworth and close to Gunnedah, it’s on the inland route between Sydney and Byron Bay. Drive or take one of the daily flights to Tamworth’s airport.

    Aerial view of Wilderluxe.
    Let vast waters and towering ranges set the scene for your escape.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit rooms

    Don’t settle for a paltry room when you can sleep directly under the cosmos. Wilderluxe offers eight domed ‘Star Tents’ , all named after Aboriginal sky stories – like Djirri Djirri, the sacred messenger bird, Baiame, the Sky Father and great creator, and Dhinawan, the Emu in the Sky constellation.

    On a clear night, use your tent’s retractable roof for gazing above or wander to the outdoor bathtub on your private deck to soak under the night sky. No need to go anywhere. You can stay put come evening with a kitchenette inside and a gas barbecue on the deck.

    A couple gazes up at a sky ablaze with stars at Wilderluxe.
    Sleep beneath the stars.

    Style and character

    When it comes to aesthetics, Wilderluxe Lake Keepit stays on trend. The encampment blends with its surroundings, building up layers of minimalist visuals that mirror the ever-changing curves of the water.

    Earthy tones, natural materials and timber finishes also anchor the retreat in its bushland surrounds. It’s enough to deepen the sense of calm you’ll experience as you drive off-grid, and this is only heightened as you spot kangaroos grazing at dawn or hear the chatter of native birds by the lake.

    The dreamy sunset at Wilderluxe.
    Go off-grid in style at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit dining

    ‘Dinner and a show’ hits differently with the property’s Big Sky dinner experience . Hosted in the Gilay Lounge, enjoy complimentary drinks and a grazing table with the host, followed by a screening of Big Sky Dreaming, a film produced exclusively for Wilderluxe guests in which Kamilaroi storyteller Uncle Len Waters narrates tales of the Dreaming above.

    Once your imagination has been fed, it’s time to take a seat fireside for a glass of Australian port and a serving of s’mores.

    Keen to explore the wider area? Staff can provide barbecue and picnic hampers, stuffed with regional meats, cheeses and organic local fare.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit facilities

    While you could very well spend all your time in your tent, sometimes it’s time to hit pause on the celestial show. Instead, make your way up to the Gilay Guest Lounge, where you can relax on the deck overlooking the lake or the outdoor fire pits. It’s a great way to unwind and clink glasses with other stargazers.

    The Gilay Lounge with the view of the lake.
    Unwind by the fire and raise a glass at Gilay Lounge.

    Wilderluxe Lake Keepit experiences

    No need to turn nocturnal; when the sun rises, there are still plenty of ways to touch the sky.

    Lake Keepit hosted the 2020 Women’s World Gliding Championships, and it’s one of the best places in Australia to stretch your wings. The local Soaring Club operates year-round, meaning you can book a gliding experience any day of the year – or opt for a scenic flight to take in the vast beauty from above.

    Prefer to keep your feet on solid ground? There are plenty of walking and cycling trails in and around the area. Luckily, bikes are part of the Wilderluxe package. All you have to do is ask a staff member for their favourite route, throw a picnic onto the back and cycle off into the great beyond.

    Alternatively, nab a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or kayak and head out onto the lake. Or, if you’re feeling lucky, borrow a fishing rod and try your chances.

    A person kayaking through serene waters.
    Paddle into peace.

    The details

    A two-night minimum twin-share accommodation package includes Big Sky dinner and drinks experience, plus daily continental breakfast. As well as access to leisure equipment including mountain bikes, kayaks, SUPs and fishing gear.

    The interiors of the glamping tent.
    Let nature restore you, while luxury takes care of the rest.

    Start planning your outback glamping adventure at wilderluxe.com.au.