Best bathhouses in Byron Bay for your 2025 vacay
But in recent years a steamy new obsession has been bubbling to the surface. These days, it feels like there are more bathhouses in the NSW coastal hotspot than in a Jane Austen novel - and each one has its own distinct personality. Whether you're after something stylish, social or sanative, there's a soak in Byron with your name on it. Here's the lowdown.
Navia
Scandi chic at Navia.
Inspired by the owners' travels through Scandinavia, Navia offers a chilled but sophisticated bathhouse experience. With a background in sports science, Patrick Dusting is a strong advocate for the physiological benefits of hot and cold therapy, while his partner Lucia Wilkinson brings her love of art to life through the bathhouse's thoughtful design. Originally from Melbourne, the duo has infused the space with industrial-meets-rustic charm — think polished concrete floors, exposed piping and arched glass doors. Conveniently located in the same building as boutique hotel Basq House in the centre of Byron Bay, Navia also draws inspiration from Löyly Helsinki's black timber sauna in Finland, evoking a cosy, cave-like feel. The below-ground bathhouse also has a steam room, a magnesium pool and two cold plunges — one so cold it can form a sheet of ice — alongside a lounge area complete with a tea and water station. To preserve a sense of serenity, entry is limited to just 14 guests at a time.
Find out more here
Comma
Sun-dappled spaces at Comma.
Located just out of town in the creative hub that is Byron's Arts and Industry Estate, Comma strikes a balance between stylish and funky, even earning a commendation in the 2025 Dulux Colour Awards for its bold hues. Originally opened in 2017, it relocated to a new space across the road in 2024. Guests are welcomed upstairs with a tote containing a robe, towel and sliders before moving through the vibrant lounge and change area into the bathhouse. Begin the experience with a salt scrub, before moving into the traditional Finnish hot rock sauna and dousing yourself under the two pail showers. This is the Byron bathhouse which offers the greatest connection to nature. The two magnesium plunge pools, ranging from 8°C to 40°C sit on a terrace where you can watch trees rustling in the breeze and listen to birdsong. Inside, the hammam also has a skylight where you can watch clouds drift by. Though just three kilometres from town, Comma feels worlds away — a soulful pause, just as its name suggests.
Find out more here
The Banya
Palm Beach vibes at The Banya.
The most social of Byron's bathhouse offerings, The Banya is a lively space that blends old-world Russian banya traditions and cool Palm Springs vibes, with a green and white-tile chequered lap pool, swaying palm trees and cacti on the roof. Located at the rear of a 1920s brick building that originally housed a bank, The Banya opened in Mullumbimby's main street (around 20 minutes' drive from Byron Bay) in 2022. The magnesium pool, which reaches temperatures of up to 30°C in winter, sits beside two hot spas and a cold plunge that can dip to a bracing 6°, or rise to a more tolerable 15°C on hot summer days. Then there's a steam room and wood-fired sauna with two pail buckets in between. Folding glass doors open from the bathhouse to a restaurant, ideal for a long lunch after the bathhouse experience. You can also book a moonlight soak at a discounted price from 8pm to 9pm Monday to Thursday, when the space is lit by festoon lights.
Find out more here
The Byron Bathhouse
The Byron Bathhouse takes a thoroughly scientific approach to healing.
A sanctuary of modern healing, The Byron Bathhouse opened at landmark integrated medical centre The Health Lodge in late 2024. The concept was a longtime dream of the centre's founder, naturopath Reine DuBois, who previously transformed the property from a rundown backpacker hostel into a low-toxin wellness hub and retreat that mixes science and natural therapies. Created in consultation with building biologist Dr Nicole Bijlsma and with permission from Bundjalung elders, the bathhouse features a chlorine-free filtered magnesium mineral pool heated to 28°C, plus three Clearlight infrared saunas set at 50°C, 60°C and 70°C, two cold plunges and full-body red light therapy booths. As it's located on the main road into Byron from the south, there's a bit of traffic noise, but it's drowned out by the sounds of bubble jets when you are in the spa. For an experience that's as magical as it is medicinal, ask about booking a private sound bath experience at night when the bathhouse is illuminated by different coloured lights.
Find out more here
The writer was a guest of the bathhouses.
Originally published as Best bathhouses in Byron Bay
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
16 hours ago
- Perth Now
Russia restarts flights to North Korean capital
Russia is set to launch direct passenger flights from Moscow to North Korea's capital Pyongyang as the two former communist bloc allies move to improve ties. The start of regular flights between the capitals for the first time since the mid-1990s, according to Russian aviation blogs, follows the resumption of a Moscow-Pyongyang passenger rail service, a 10-day journey, in June. The first flight will leave Russia's Sheremetyevo airport at 7pm on Sunday (2am AEST on Monday) according to the airport's timetable. The eight-hour flight will be operated by a Boeing 777-200ER with a capacity of 440 passengers, Russia's RIA state news agency said. It said tickets started at 44,700 roubles ($A860), and the first flight quickly sold out. Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia has granted Nordwind Airlines permission to operate flights between Moscow and Pyongyang twice a week. The transport ministry said in a statement that for now, flights would operate once a month, "to help build stable demand". The only direct air route between Russia and North Korea has been flights by North Korean carrier Air Koryo to Vladivostok in Russia's far east three times a week. Ukraine and its Western allies have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with artillery and ballistic missiles. Moscow and Pyongyang deny the allegations. Pyongyang has deployed more than 10,000 troops and arms to Russia to back Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said in July his country was ready to "unconditionally support" Moscow's efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- News.com.au
‘Super popular': La Perouse becomes latest Sydney craze amid $78 million ferry fail
A small suburb in the eastern suburbs is quickly becoming one of Sydney's most popular tourism and fishing spots, with the state government scrambling to find a company to run ferries to and from the area in response to the boom. La Perouse has a population of just 366 according to the most recent ABS census, but has recently become one of the city's most popular sunset spots. The number of visitors has increased after the opening of two Kamay Wharves in March at La Perouse and Kurnell, which took 20 months to build and cost $78 million. The wharves were built to run ferries between Kurnell and La Perouse; however, the NSW Government is struggling to find an operator. In the meantime, the wharf has been opened for fishing and has quickly become one of Sydney's most attractive spots for fishers. visited La Perouse on Wednesday and found that most of the fishers had come from out of the area after hearing about the new wharf online. One fisher from Mount Druitt said he heard about the wharf on Instagram and said La Perouse was a 'super popular' spot for fishing. He said most people fish for salmon or squid in the area and kingfish when the water warms up. 'A lot of people come down here to the rocks just to take photos at sunset, which makes it a bit hard to fish,' he said. 'It's been super popular since the wharf has been built.' Another fisher from Campbelltown was fishing with his father. 'It's actually our first time out here. We heard about it from Facebook,' he said. Another man from out west was fishing alongside his mate from Malabar. 'Honestly we don't really catch much, but it's a good spot,' he said. The wharf being opened for fishing has attracted some controversy from locals, with some saying the area is often left 'a mess'. The complaints led Fisheries NSW to warn fishers in the area to 'do the right thing'. 'It's great to see how many people are fishing these new wharves,' they said in a social media post. 'However, it is clear some fishers are not using common sense or doing the right thing. 'Let's set an example and show we can keep these great facilities clean for everyone to use.' The two wharves are costing taxpayers more than $500,000 a year in maintenance as the state government continues to try to find a contractor to run the ferries. Transport for NSW posted a call out for expressions of interest in July last year but failed to receive a single application. The wharves were originally supposed to cost $18 million, however, costs blew out by $60 million. Ferries originally travelled between the two locations since 1890s before a storm destroyed the wharves in 1974. Influencers embrace La Perouse's 'golden hour' La Perouse has also become a popular tourist spot after The Cape Banks walking trail and heritage-listed Bare Island were flagged as long-term tourism investments by the state government back in 2018. Tours run at Bare Island Fort – which was built in the 1880s to protect Botany Bay from a potential Russian invasion – every Sunday at $15 a pop. At sunset each day, tourists and influencers alike can now be spotted taking photos along La Perouse's coastline. Earlier this year, Randwick City Council endorsed a plan to transform the La Perouse headland into a $100 million 'First Nations Cultural Precinct' including a 'bush tucker restaurant' and an exhibition space. 'This co-designed project will celebrate living culture, restore heritage buildings, create local jobs and welcome the return of cultural objects to Country,' Randwick Council said in May.
Herald Sun
7 days ago
- Herald Sun
Best bathhouses in Byron Bay for your 2025 vacay
Byron Bay has long been a magnet for lycra-clad and kale-loving tourists, earning its crown as Australia's wellness capital with a steady flow of yoga studios, green smoothies and crystal healers. But in recent years a steamy new obsession has been bubbling to the surface. These days, it feels like there are more bathhouses in the NSW coastal hotspot than in a Jane Austen novel - and each one has its own distinct personality. Whether you're after something stylish, social or sanative, there's a soak in Byron with your name on it. Here's the lowdown. Navia Scandi chic at Navia. Inspired by the owners' travels through Scandinavia, Navia offers a chilled but sophisticated bathhouse experience. With a background in sports science, Patrick Dusting is a strong advocate for the physiological benefits of hot and cold therapy, while his partner Lucia Wilkinson brings her love of art to life through the bathhouse's thoughtful design. Originally from Melbourne, the duo has infused the space with industrial-meets-rustic charm — think polished concrete floors, exposed piping and arched glass doors. Conveniently located in the same building as boutique hotel Basq House in the centre of Byron Bay, Navia also draws inspiration from Löyly Helsinki's black timber sauna in Finland, evoking a cosy, cave-like feel. The below-ground bathhouse also has a steam room, a magnesium pool and two cold plunges — one so cold it can form a sheet of ice — alongside a lounge area complete with a tea and water station. To preserve a sense of serenity, entry is limited to just 14 guests at a time. Find out more here Comma Sun-dappled spaces at Comma. Located just out of town in the creative hub that is Byron's Arts and Industry Estate, Comma strikes a balance between stylish and funky, even earning a commendation in the 2025 Dulux Colour Awards for its bold hues. Originally opened in 2017, it relocated to a new space across the road in 2024. Guests are welcomed upstairs with a tote containing a robe, towel and sliders before moving through the vibrant lounge and change area into the bathhouse. Begin the experience with a salt scrub, before moving into the traditional Finnish hot rock sauna and dousing yourself under the two pail showers. This is the Byron bathhouse which offers the greatest connection to nature. The two magnesium plunge pools, ranging from 8°C to 40°C sit on a terrace where you can watch trees rustling in the breeze and listen to birdsong. Inside, the hammam also has a skylight where you can watch clouds drift by. Though just three kilometres from town, Comma feels worlds away — a soulful pause, just as its name suggests. Find out more here The Banya Palm Beach vibes at The Banya. The most social of Byron's bathhouse offerings, The Banya is a lively space that blends old-world Russian banya traditions and cool Palm Springs vibes, with a green and white-tile chequered lap pool, swaying palm trees and cacti on the roof. Located at the rear of a 1920s brick building that originally housed a bank, The Banya opened in Mullumbimby's main street (around 20 minutes' drive from Byron Bay) in 2022. The magnesium pool, which reaches temperatures of up to 30°C in winter, sits beside two hot spas and a cold plunge that can dip to a bracing 6°, or rise to a more tolerable 15°C on hot summer days. Then there's a steam room and wood-fired sauna with two pail buckets in between. Folding glass doors open from the bathhouse to a restaurant, ideal for a long lunch after the bathhouse experience. You can also book a moonlight soak at a discounted price from 8pm to 9pm Monday to Thursday, when the space is lit by festoon lights. Find out more here The Byron Bathhouse The Byron Bathhouse takes a thoroughly scientific approach to healing. A sanctuary of modern healing, The Byron Bathhouse opened at landmark integrated medical centre The Health Lodge in late 2024. The concept was a longtime dream of the centre's founder, naturopath Reine DuBois, who previously transformed the property from a rundown backpacker hostel into a low-toxin wellness hub and retreat that mixes science and natural therapies. Created in consultation with building biologist Dr Nicole Bijlsma and with permission from Bundjalung elders, the bathhouse features a chlorine-free filtered magnesium mineral pool heated to 28°C, plus three Clearlight infrared saunas set at 50°C, 60°C and 70°C, two cold plunges and full-body red light therapy booths. As it's located on the main road into Byron from the south, there's a bit of traffic noise, but it's drowned out by the sounds of bubble jets when you are in the spa. For an experience that's as magical as it is medicinal, ask about booking a private sound bath experience at night when the bathhouse is illuminated by different coloured lights. Find out more here The writer was a guest of the bathhouses. Originally published as Best bathhouses in Byron Bay
