The Ultimate Sauna Trail Across Tasmania Unveiled

Follow this trail from the coast to the wilderness, with stops at floating saunas, mobile retreats and cosy stays along the way.

Tasmania’s cool climate is the perfect backdrop for a wellness retreat, especially when saunas and nature collide. Saunas have seen a surge in popularity worldwide, thanks to their numerous health benefits and the growing trend of wellness tourism. With the ability to boost circulation, detoxify the body and relieve stress, saunas have become a go-to for those seeking both physical and mental rejuvenation.

The traditional practice of alternating between intense heat and cold plunges is known to improve muscle recovery, enhance mood and even strengthen the immune system. As more people embrace the therapeutic effects of this ancient ritual, destinations like Tasmania have become prime locations to immerse yourself in sauna culture.

From portable coastal saunas to secluded accommodation with private wood-fired tubs, we’ve mapped out the ultimate sauna trail across the island, showcasing the best spots to sweat it out and cool down while soaking in Tasmania’s breathtaking landscapes. Here’s your guide to where to start and how to relax your way around the island’s most rejuvenating sauna experiences.

1. Savu Saunas, Devonport and Penguin

Begin your sauna journey along Tasmania’s scenic north western coast. With locations at The Bluff in Devonport, Australia’s top town for 2024, and the Dial Park Sports Complex in Penguin, Savu Saunas offer a luxury experience inside converted shipping containers. After a session of sweating it out, take a refreshing plunge into the cold waters for the ultimate detox.

Savu Saunas in Tasmania with the southern lights (aurora australis) in the background — Savu Saunas offer a luxury experience inside converted shipping containers. (Image: Supplied)

2. Floating Sauna, Lake Derby

Next, head east to the mountain biking haven of Derby. This off-grid, wood-fired sauna floats on Lake Derby, providing stunning lake views while you warm up. Finish the session with a bracing dip in the icy waters; perfect for cooling off after a day in the sauna.

Woman diving from Floating Sauna Lake Derby, Tasmania — Cool off after a floating sauna session. (Image: Chad Dewson)

3. Wilderness Saunas, Tasman Peninsula

From there, travel south to the serene Tasman Peninsula, where Wilderness Saunas await in Impression Bay. As the largest barrel sauna in Australia, this mobile sauna offers a traditional experience, complete with fire-heated warmth and views of Tasmania’s rugged wilderness.

Wilderness Saunas in Tasmania — Wilderness Saunas has the largest barrel sauna in Australia. (Image: Supplied)

4. Leighton House, Launceston

Before continuing your journey further south, stay the night at Leighton House , a luxurious 1840s homestead near Launceston. This beautifully restored property offers not only a relaxing sauna but also a wellness deck, complete with a hot tub and fireplaces, making it the perfect countryside retreat before continuing your adventure.

the sauna and hot tub at Leighton House, tasmania — Enjoy the sauna and hot tub at Leighton House. (Image: Adam Gibson)

5. Elsewhere Sauna, Hobart and Huon Valley

Next, head to Hobart and discover Elsewhere Sauna , a mobile sauna that travels to local water bodies for a unique outdoor wellness experience. On Sundays, you can find it set up at Randalls Bay in the Huon Valley, where you can unwind with complimentary herbal tea and body scrub during your session.

Elsewhere Sauna, mobile sauna in south tasmania — Elsewhere Sauna is a mobile sauna. (Image: Lindy Smith)

6. Kuuma Nature Sauna, North West Bay

For another floating sauna adventure, visit Kuuma in south Tasmania. This pontoon boat features a wood-fired sauna and a dip into the cool waters of North West Bay. Enjoy a communal or private session as you soak in the serenity of the Tasmanian coastline.

Person jumping into water from Kuuma Nature Sauna — Dip into the cool waters of North West Bay. (Image: Nina Hamilton)

7. Sauna Boat Tasmania, Little Oyster Cove

Located just outside Hobart in Little Oyster Cove, this Scandinavian-inspired sauna boat is crafted from Tasmanian timber and offers a unique way to relax while overlooking the serene waters. Unwind in the sauna and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Tasmania’s coastline.

Two women dipping feet into hot tub at Sauna Boat Tasmania — Sauna Boat Tasmania is Scandinavian-inspired. (Image: Natasha Mulhall)

8. Red Rock Hut, King Island

Journey to King Island and retreat to Red Rock Hut , a tiny house on Tasmania’s untouched west coast. This accommodation features a wood-fired sauna and hot tub, with panoramic views of the Southern Ocean. After a day of exploring, relax in the heat while soaking in the beauty of King Island.

Sauna and accommodation at Red Rock Hut in tasmania — Red Rock Hut is a tiny house on Tasmania’s untouched west coast. (Image: Sukma Bowling)

9. Bass Lodge, King Island

Also on King Island, Bass Lodge offers a luxurious escape with private beach access and a secluded sauna experience. The outdoor sauna and timber hot tub make it easy to unwind after a day spent enjoying the island’s rugged coastline and tranquil bushland.

Bass Lodge sauna and hot tub on King Island in Tasmania — Unwind at Bass Lodge after a day of exploring Tassie’s sights. (Image: Madeleine Roberts-Thomson)

10. Swan River Sanctuary, East Coast

End your sauna journey on Tasmania’s stunning east coast at the Swan River Sanctuary , an off-grid luxury lodge on a regenerative cattle farm. Nestled into the banks of the Swan River, this eco-friendly retreat features a wood-fired sauna and the chance to plunge into the river for a refreshing cool down.

Swan River Sanctuary in Tasmania — End your sauna trail at Swan River Sanctuary. (Image: Stu Gibson)

With so many unique sauna experiences across Tasmania, you can enjoy the perfect blend of wellness and wilderness. Whether you start on the north coast and finish on the east, or join the trail somewhere along the way, each stop on this sauna trail offers something different to help you relax and recharge in nature.

Hobart has quietly become our coolest capital, but the real wonder lies just beyond the city limits.

In the cool shade of Kunyani/ Mt Wellington, Hobart has earned a reputation. Home to culture-defining Dark MOFO, the city blends rugged, raw wilderness and rule-breaking galleries. But, step beyond the thrumming capital’s border and you’ll find a new perspective: historic towns, Jurassic-era cliffs and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. With ALL Accor as your home away from home, fill your days with epicurean odysseys and wild scenery on the best day trips from Hobart.

Where to stay

Behind every good road trip is the perfect home base. Somewhere central to review your camera roll, make the most of Hobart’s dining scene and relax before setting off again.

For modern, Tasmanian-inspired design, book a stay at the Movenpick Hotel Hobart . Standing at the Salamanca Markets, look to the Hobart skyline and the award-winning hotel will catch your eye. As the third-tallest building in the CBD, the views across the harbour toward Antarctica are totally unique to your room. Here, end each day at the daily free chocolate hour (plus a free Movenpick ice cream for the little ones).

For a more budget-conscious option, head to the picture book, sandstone buildings of Macquarie Street. Nestled along the buzzing, historic streetscape, you’ll find Tasmania’s biggest hotel: the Ibis Styles . Return home each day to defrost in one of the hotel’s two saunas. Make use of the proximity to MONA, or take an easy stroll to the candy-coloured cottages of Battery Point between your adventures.

A stylish, Tasmanian-inspired bedroom at Mövenpick Hotel Hobart, your perfect base for relaxing after the best day trips from Hobart. — Elevate your Hobart stay with sleek style at Mövenpick.

1. Bruny Island

Craggy cliffs and tropical-hued, white sand beaches signal your arrival to Bruny Island/ Lunawanna-Alonnah.

Start your day trip at the island’s most iconic spot, the Neck Game Reserve. Scale the Trunganini steps to gaze out over the teensy stretch of land that juts through the sea connecting the two ends of the island.

Catch a rare glimpse of the white furred wallabies that call Bruny Island home at Adventure Bay. Then, for ocean-fresh oysters, pull into the drive-thru window at Get Shucked . Sample Bruny Island cheese at the cellar door before catching the ferry home with an esky full of local produce.

Bruny Island Neck is an isthmus of land connecting north and south Bruny Island. — Begin your adventure with a climb and a view. (Image: Elise Weaver)

2. Mount Wellington

At 1271 metres, Mount Wellington watches protectively over Hobart. Follow the winding road to climb through alpine forest and tufts of snow to reach the summit. Gaze down over Hobart and out to sea, or over your shoulder to the southwestern wilderness.

Reset your adrenaline with a mountain bike ride back down. Or, make like the locals and head into the mountain on foot. Try the hike to the Jurassic-period Organ Pipes which slips under the mountain’s magnificent dolerite cliffs (perfect for families thanks to the trail’s minimal incline).

For a view of Mount Wellington itself, hike nearby Cathedral Rock.

No matter where you are in Hobart you are never far away from the City's beloved mountain, Kunanyi / Mount Wellington — Climb through alpine forest to the summit. (Image: Paul Flemming)

2. Port Arthur

Constructed entirely by convicts, the manicured gardens and penal buildings of Port Arthur offer a day trip that practically hums with history.

The rugged, seagirt location was chosen for its difficult escape conditions. Now, you can cruise the coast below the towering, jagged cliffs of the Tasman National Park or wander the sloping fields of fragrant lavender.

Tickets to Port Arthur include a walking tour and harbour cruise. See the Isle of the Dead where 1000 men are buried in marked and unmarked graves. And Point Puer, Britain’s first prison for children.

The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of Australia's most important heritage sites and tourist destinations. Located on the scenic Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula in the south east of Tasmania, it offers a unique and essential experience for all visitors to the area. — Wander convict-built grounds and gardens. (Image: Dearna Bond)

3. Launceston

You’ll find Launceston at the confluence of three rivers after an easy 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. Launceston is a patchwork of old and new. Here, heritage streetscapes meet modern architecture.

Visit Cataract Gorge, the green, sun-dappled heart of the town and sacred meeting point for Tasmania’s indigenous communities. Pull up at roadside produce stalls that dot the Tamar Valley, or dine out. Launceston is, after all, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Should the local wine scene persuade you, simply extend your time in Launceston at Peppers Silo (but definitely at least stop by the onsite restaurant, Grain of the Silo , for a farm fresh menu) or Mercure Launceston before heading back to Hobart.

Walk the sunlit paths of Cataract Gorge. (Image: Nick H Visuals)

4. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Take a 35-minute drive from your hotel and you’ll find Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary . This social enterprise is run by a team of extremely passionate Tasmanians with a mission to look after critically endangered species who have found sanctuary here after facing extinction on the mainland.

Choose to wander the sanctuary at your own pace or join a guided tour (free with your ticket) to come face to face with Tassie’s most iconic species. Tasmanian Devils, wombats and echidnas are part of the free tour. You can book up close encounters with your favourite animals, too.

Bonorong is a Sanctuary for wildlife run by a passionate team of like-minded people. We're a social enterprise: a little business with a big heart. — Snap a cuddle-worthy encounter. (Image: Tourism Australia)

5. Richmond Village & Coal River Valley

Richmond is a town that belongs in a snow globe. Fifty colonial-era, Georgian buildings have been painstakingly restored and turned into cafes, cosy restaurants and galleries. Visit Richmond Gaol , said to be the home of a prisoner so vile he inspired Charles Dickens to pen Oliver Twist’s Fagin.

Then, follow the Coal River as it flows past grassy, duckling-dotted knolls and under the iconic Richmond Bridge, the oldest bridge in Australia. From the crest of the bridge, see the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The river crawls past many cellar doors, perfect for a day of wine tasting.

Richmond is a picture-perfect town in the Coal River Valley wine region, offering a glimpse into early colonial life, one of the best day trips from Hobart. — Trace the river through history and wine country. (Image: Fin Matson)

Plan your trip to Hobart and beyond with ALL Accor at All.com .

Wellness meets wilderness: Tasmania’s ultimate sauna trail unveiled