One of the most beloved aspects of our wellbeing oasis is the variety of experiences on offer — including several kinds of sauna. A visit to Peninsula Hot Springs means the opportunity to explore the benefits of three distinct sauna zones alongside a range of other bathing rituals designed to balance, restore and invigorate.

pop-up sauna space

This Spring, Peninsula Hot Springs invites you to Seek the Heat at the new Pop-up Sauna Space. Featuring three premium Nordic saunas, an outdoor fire and lounge set beneath festoon lighting, the space is designed for warmth, connection and seasonal renewal. Guests are invited to unwind between hot and cold therapy, gathering by the fire or pausing in the lounge to restore. The sauna experience encourages circulation, supports detoxification and promotes deep relaxation, leaving body and mind revitalised. Whether shared with friends or enjoyed in solitude, the Pop-up Sauna Space offers a unique way to embrace the healing power of heat.

fire & ice area

Wander over to the Fire & Ice area, which is nestled beside the Bath House Amphitheatre and features two large, 30-person saunas: one ‘dry’ sauna and one ‘traditional’ sauna (the latter of which is slightly more humid).

Also within the Fire & Ice area are outdoor showers, a cold pool, an Ice Cave and Deep Freeze, and an ice plunge pool (accessible during daily Fire & Ice workshops) allowing guests to cycle between these experiences and create their own hot-and-cold contrast therapy journey.

Experiment with both saunas and see which one resonates most with you. If you're new to sauna bathing, sit on a lower level of seating (where the air is less hot) and stick to 10 minutes or less in the sauna before taking a break. Sit on a towel to practise proper sauna etiquette, and be sure to drink plenty of water to replace fluids lost through sweating.

After each stint in the sauna, have a cool rinse off under the massaging mineral showers before taking a dip in our cold pool. Finish with a warm shower or a soak in a thermoneutral hot spring (approximately 36 to 38 degrees Celsius).

the benefits

Sauna bathing boosts circulation, which is great for those days when we’re feeling sluggish. Spending time in a sauna can alleviate symptoms of arthritis and chronic pain (such as back pain), support muscle recovery, assist the body's natural detoxification through sweating, and, when used regularly, improve heart health and reduce high blood pressure by mimicking cardiovascular exercise. It can also be a profoundly relaxing experience, leading to deep sleep and better mental health.

Combining your sauna experience with the contrast of bathing in a cold pool, cold shower or Ice Cave can enhance these benefits by helping you shift between vasodilation and vasoconstriction, which encourages healthy blood vessels. Cold immersion can also have an invigorating and anti-inflammatory effect on the body.

bathing gully

As you make your way up the hill of the Bathing Gully in the Bath House, you’ll come across a Turkish-inspired steam room — next to massaging mineral showers, a cold plunge pool and a small Scandinavian-style dry sauna.

The steam room (or hamam) is designed in the traditional Turkish style, complete with marble seating, authentic Turkish tiles, cold water taps and small bowls for pouring water over your body. Steam rooms feature very high humidity, and this is the perfect place to sit and breathe in the moist air.

This zone is ideal for experiencing the difference between steam rooms and saunas. Outside the hamam and sauna is a cold plunge pool and massaging mineral showers to allow you to cool down after or between sessions.

the benefits

Steam rooms offer many of the same benefits as saunas, such as improved circulation and reduced pain. Thanks to their humidity, they are also particularly good at moistening the mucous membranes in the nasal passageway, which can soothe the sinuses and may improve certain respiratory conditions. Steam also promotes soft and supple skin.

spa dreaming centre

In the Spa Dreaming Centre — our adults-only, tranquil bathing space — you will find three kinds of sauna. The Spa Dreaming Centre is accessible with a Reset (all of site bathing) booking, or with packages that include bathing in this area (for example, spa treatment or dining packages).

This zone features our only infrared sauna. Collect a towel to sit on from the bowl outside this sauna and then make yourself comfortable. Infrared saunas emit radiant heat that tends to feel less stifling than traditional saunas or steam rooms, so you may find you can stay in this space a little longer before feeling uncomfortable.
Listen to your body and when you are ready to exit the infrared sauna, rinse off under the nearby outdoor showers. From there, you might like to compare the infrared sauna experience with bathing in the traditional sauna a few metres away, or wander over to the Moroccan hammam.

Like the Turkish hamam in the Bath House, the Moroccan hammam is very high in humidity. It is designed in a Moroccan style and includes several hand-held shower heads for a refreshing rinse during or after your bathe.

the benefits

Infrared saunas can be a gentle, relaxing option for those who enjoy dry heat, or who find traditional saunas or steam rooms a little intense. Though infrared saunas operate at lower temperatures than traditional saunas, sitting under infrared heat helps you work up a sweat, gets your blood pumping and eases muscular tension.

*To find out more about our sauna experiences and which might suit you, get in touch with our friendly Reservations team on 03 5950 8777 or via info@peninsulahotsprings.com. *