This is set to be summer’s most talked-about wellness experience.
Sydney Harbour has a new way to unwind and it might just be the most scenic sweat session in the country. A sleek, eco-friendly floating sauna has dropped anchor on the harbour, inviting guests to steam, plunge and sun-soak with uninterrupted views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Wellness Afloat, a Scandinavian-style floating sauna and cold-plunge deck, has officially launched, bringing a hit of Nordic wellness energy to Australia’s most iconic waterway.
Soak in the harbour views. (Image: Jack Moran)
The project is as sustainable as it is stylish. Housed on a purpose-built vessel known as the ARK, the sauna sits atop a structure made from over half a million recycled milk bottles. Beneath the surface, a thriving mini-reef habitat supports local marine life, while above deck an ocean-garden adds a layer of greenery that softens the industrial harbour surrounds. Even the interior furnishings lean into the eco-conscious ethos, incorporating recycled materials and low-impact design wherever possible.
Once onboard, the experience slows instantly. Guests move between an 80°C cedar-clad sauna with floor-to-ceiling harbour views, a refreshing cold-plunge swim in the open water and a breezy sun-drenched deck complete with herbal tea and space to stretch out. It’s a simple ritual – heat, cool, rest, repeat – but one that feels surprisingly elevated when Sydney’s skyline is quite literally part of the backdrop.
The experience
The two-hour experience is the perfect summer reset. (Image: Jack Moran)
The project is as sustainable as it is stylish. (Image: Jack Moran)
Wellness Afloat is part sauna, part scenic cruise and part social escape.
Departing from Campbells Cove at The Rocks, the two-hour session starts with a boat pickup and a scenic cruise past the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Luna Park before reaching the ARK in the calm waters of Berry’s Bay.
You’ll warm up in a beautifully built cedar sauna that seats eight, watching the harbour shimmer through expansive windows. When the heat peaks, you can take the plunge – either literally, with a dip in the harbour, or opt for a cold-splash shower if you prefer to keep your toes on deck. Afterwards, the rooftop recovery lounge awaits. Crafted from recycled materials and designed for lingering, it’s a quiet nook for herbal tea, deep breaths and soaking up one of the most photogenic views in Sydney.
Private groups can take things even further, with the option to add massage, yoga or fitness sessions for a customised wellness experience. It’s part sauna, part scenic cruise and part social escape – a fresh alternative for birthdays, team days, summer catch-ups or simply a weekend reset.
Whether you’re after a summer reset, a celebration with a twist or an activity guaranteed to impress visiting friends, Wellness Afloat is shaping up to be one of the season’s hottest tickets.
Private hire for up to 12 people is available from $1500 for two hours.
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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.
The ultimate road trip begins and ends on NSW’s stunning Grand Pacific Drive.
Whales, charming villages, fine wine and stunning natural vistas: there’s a lot to love about a road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive in New South Wales. Winding from the Royal National Park through Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven before heading inland to the Southern Highlands, this scenic drive makes for an unforgettable road trip.
But like all great road trips, it’s not just about the drive but the stops made along the way. From incredible farm-to-plate (and grape-to-glass) dining options to unbeatable natural vistas and quaint towns with beautiful accommodation, there’s plenty to explore en route.
Spend time in Shellharbour Marina.
Where to eat
What is a road trip without incredible food? Whether you’re after fresh seafood, slow-cooked paddock-to-plate feasts or delicious wines, you’ll find something around every bend along Grand Pacific Drive.
Restaurant Santino is a local Wollongong secret we can’t keep quiet any longer. With a fresh take on Italian cuisine, servings are hearty and flavours are comforting. The chitarra with blue swimmer crab, garlic, chilli, parsley and crustacean oil is a crowd favourite.
Keep it local in Shellharbour with a menu all about fresh local produce at Relish on Addison. From South Coast oysters and blue swimmer crab linguine to crispy pork belly, surf and turf takes on an elevated meaning here.
Kiama’s neighbourhood wine and cocktail bar, Little Betty’s, is just as good for a tasty share plate as it is for creative cocktails. The signature Grilled Octopus with burnt honey, garlic confit and sautéed Asian greens is worth a trip on its own.
Only the best will do in Shoalhaven, where multi-award-winning Bangalay Dining uses native Australian ingredients to bring its dishes to life. Start with the Smoked trout croquette before moving on to the sautéed potato gnocchi. Don’t forget the white chocolate mousse for dessert.
Meanwhile, the Southern Highlands are full of culinary highlights. From dining on incredibly fresh, local fare (we’re talking ingredients plucked from the team’s on-site kitchen garden or sourced through local producers) at Eschalot Restaurant in Berrima to creating gin blends at Millsheds Distillery.
Taste native flavours at Bangalay Dining.
Exploring nature
Scenery is everything when hitting the road, and Grand Pacific Drive serves it up in spades. Drivers don’t even have to leave the car to enjoy the iconic ocean views from Seacliff Bridge (but several lookouts make it easy to stop).
Seaside Kiama boasts stunning beaches and famous blowholes. But travellers can also swap ocean for rainforest when taking the Minnamurra Rainforest walk, culminating in a picturesque waterfall. Or soar overhead at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures.
Cruise along the stunning Grand Pacific Drive.
Between May and November, 30,000 whales make their way passed the South Coast between May and November. Spot them from the coastal shores or join a whale-watching cruise from Shellharbour Marina or Jervis Bay. Dive in with Woebegone Freedive.
Shellharbour’s Killalea Regional Park is home to a traditional bush tucker and medicine walk with Aboriginal tour group, Gumaraa. Learn Indigenous healing practices and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage and wisdom of the land’s Traditional Owners.
Wollongong is the perfect place for hikers, with the 6.5-kilometre Wodi Wodi track serving up views, settler history and a variety of landscapes in one loop. If you prefer, skip the walk and pull up at Bald Hill Lookout for expansive views south towards Wollongong (and a hang-glider or two).
For something truly unique, join the Highland Cow experience at The Swallow’s Nest in the Southern Highlands. In a brand-new offering, get a taste of farm life and help groom and feed these gorgeous creatures.
Wander the Kiama Coast Walk.
Unique experiences
No need to choose between an adrenaline rush or a culture fix, Grand Pacific Drive serves up both.
Soar into aviation history at Shellharbour’s HARS Aviation Museum.Tour the museum, then join a guided walk onto the wing of the record-breaking Qantas Boeing 747 and see the significant historic aircraft up close.
If ever there was a place to skydive, it’s in Wollongong. Dive from 15,000 feet (tandem, of course) with Sky Dive Wollongong and see the coastal beauty of this region from above.
Shoalhaven’s Bundanon Art Museum has to be one of the most unique offerings in the country. The legacy of artist Arthur Boyd and more than just a gallery, find eco-accommodation, fine dining, award-winning architecture and community here.
Kiama’s Crooked River Estate is about more than just delicious wine.Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy casual food and drinks with live music at Kick Back Fridays, every week.
Between June and August, the Southern Highlands’ Robertson attracts novice truffle hunters. Join the hunt at family-owned and operated Robertson Truffles (alternatively, you can order truffle treats online, if your sense of adventure isn’t up for it).
Discover hidden gems beneath the soil in the Southern Highlands. (Image: Destination NSW)
Where to stay
Road trips are the ultimate promotion for slow travel, encouraging visitors to take their time, enjoy the journey and stop along the way to really immerse themselves in local towns.
Find history and elegance at Berida Hotel in the Southern Highlands. Intimately set amongst gardens, but still close to the main street of Bowral, this 1920s private residence turned boutique hotel is the perfect stay.
Stay in one of Barranca’s private villas with views of rolling farmland overlooking the dramatic escarpment at Kangaroo Valley or be surrounded by native bushland (a short walk from the beach) in Jervis Bay.
Speaking of beachside escapes, Headlands Hotel Austinmer Beach delivers unrivalled access to Wollongong’s beaches. These serviced apartments enjoy coastal views from spacious balconies.
For something completely different again, check in at Cicada Luxury Camping. Stay in safari-style or large bell tents, each with a private fire pit and top-notch kitchen facilities. Outside, enjoy spectacular countryside views.
