Is this wellness idea the future of tourism in Australia? Here's what we know so far
- Replies 1
As Western Australia’s South West positions itself as the ultimate wellness tourism destination, a new and exciting proposal has surfaced
What could be the next big attraction for tourists seeking relaxation and rejuvenation?
A bold idea is on the horizon, aiming to transform a historic local pool into a unique wellness experience.
Western Australia’s South West had big plans to become the leading wellness tourism destination in Australia by 2034, and a new proposal has the potential to elevate the region’s appeal.
A developer had set his sights on turning Pemberton’s historic pool into the home of a floating Nordic-style sauna, inspired by traditional Nordic practices that combine cold plunges and steamy saunas.
Nigel Reeves, who owned a sauna business, had already set up a floating sauna in Derby, Tasmania, and was granted approval for another on Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra.
His latest vision was for a sauna cabin rental experience where visitors could enjoy an hour in the sauna before taking a plunge into the cold waters of the 100-year-old pool.
‘The Australian sauna culture is very young but since I started up in Tasmania there's been three other sauna businesses start up similar to mine,’ Reeves shared, highlighting the growing interest in this unique wellness experience.
Reeves also mentioned that people now sought wellness experiences during their holidays, with many making their destination choices based on the types of back-to-nature and wellness activities available.
Saunas had proven popular with mountain bikers in Derby, adding a layer of credibility to the new proposal.
In a bid to attract more visitors, Australia’s South West tourism body, led by Lisa Spencer, had been working on a strategy to turn the region into a key nature-based tourism destination.
Spencer had stressed that wellness tourism was growing faster than the broader tourism market, with wellness travellers staying longer, spending more, and even travelling in off-peak seasons like winter.
She had also noted the rise of bathhouses, spas, and guided experiences like forest bathing as key components in this evolving sector.
A growing trend in global wellness tourism was expected to bring more than $1 trillion to economies by 2028, according to the Global Wellness Institute.
The proposed floating sauna had not yet received local approval but had already gained support from the WA government, which awarded the initiative a $170,000 timber transition grant.
The Pemberton Tourism Association’s Graeme Dearle had expressed cautious optimism, stating that such a project could benefit the town.
However, he remained focused on the importance of maintaining environmental integrity while considering the town's interests.
‘We do badly need this, especially the jobs … we would be mad if we didn't look at it,’ Dearle added, highlighting the need for new opportunities.
While the Pemberton pool had long been a beloved community space, Reeves reassured the public that there would be minimal environmental impact if the proposal went ahead.
He believed the floating sauna could be easily removed if it failed to attract visitors.
‘If, for example, it was a complete failure and no one wanted to do it, we could simply dismantle and crane the infrastructure out of the water,’ he said, showing his confidence in the flexibility of the project.
As Pemberton faced the loss of its famous Gloucester tree climbing attraction, this proposal had the potential to provide a much-needed tourism boost, with Reeves promising to engage with locals to ensure their support.
In the end, the community’s input would be key to determining whether the floating sauna would become a new gem in the South West’s wellness tourism crown.
In a previous story, we explored how rising costs in the tourism sector are affecting popular destinations across Australia.
Now, experts are questioning whether the introduction of a new tax could further impact these beloved spots.
Read more about how this could unfold for tourism in the region.
Could this floating sauna be the next big thing for Pemberton's tourism scene? Share your thoughts in the comments.
What could be the next big attraction for tourists seeking relaxation and rejuvenation?
A bold idea is on the horizon, aiming to transform a historic local pool into a unique wellness experience.
Western Australia’s South West had big plans to become the leading wellness tourism destination in Australia by 2034, and a new proposal has the potential to elevate the region’s appeal.
A developer had set his sights on turning Pemberton’s historic pool into the home of a floating Nordic-style sauna, inspired by traditional Nordic practices that combine cold plunges and steamy saunas.
Nigel Reeves, who owned a sauna business, had already set up a floating sauna in Derby, Tasmania, and was granted approval for another on Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra.
Pemberton’s historic pool could host unique wellness experience. Image source: Wendy Eiby
His latest vision was for a sauna cabin rental experience where visitors could enjoy an hour in the sauna before taking a plunge into the cold waters of the 100-year-old pool.
‘The Australian sauna culture is very young but since I started up in Tasmania there's been three other sauna businesses start up similar to mine,’ Reeves shared, highlighting the growing interest in this unique wellness experience.
Reeves also mentioned that people now sought wellness experiences during their holidays, with many making their destination choices based on the types of back-to-nature and wellness activities available.
Saunas had proven popular with mountain bikers in Derby, adding a layer of credibility to the new proposal.
In a bid to attract more visitors, Australia’s South West tourism body, led by Lisa Spencer, had been working on a strategy to turn the region into a key nature-based tourism destination.
Spencer had stressed that wellness tourism was growing faster than the broader tourism market, with wellness travellers staying longer, spending more, and even travelling in off-peak seasons like winter.
She had also noted the rise of bathhouses, spas, and guided experiences like forest bathing as key components in this evolving sector.
A growing trend in global wellness tourism was expected to bring more than $1 trillion to economies by 2028, according to the Global Wellness Institute.
The proposed floating sauna had not yet received local approval but had already gained support from the WA government, which awarded the initiative a $170,000 timber transition grant.
The Pemberton Tourism Association’s Graeme Dearle had expressed cautious optimism, stating that such a project could benefit the town.
However, he remained focused on the importance of maintaining environmental integrity while considering the town's interests.
‘We do badly need this, especially the jobs … we would be mad if we didn't look at it,’ Dearle added, highlighting the need for new opportunities.
While the Pemberton pool had long been a beloved community space, Reeves reassured the public that there would be minimal environmental impact if the proposal went ahead.
He believed the floating sauna could be easily removed if it failed to attract visitors.
‘If, for example, it was a complete failure and no one wanted to do it, we could simply dismantle and crane the infrastructure out of the water,’ he said, showing his confidence in the flexibility of the project.
As Pemberton faced the loss of its famous Gloucester tree climbing attraction, this proposal had the potential to provide a much-needed tourism boost, with Reeves promising to engage with locals to ensure their support.
In the end, the community’s input would be key to determining whether the floating sauna would become a new gem in the South West’s wellness tourism crown.
In a previous story, we explored how rising costs in the tourism sector are affecting popular destinations across Australia.
Now, experts are questioning whether the introduction of a new tax could further impact these beloved spots.
Read more about how this could unfold for tourism in the region.
Could this floating sauna be the next big thing for Pemberton's tourism scene? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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