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Herald Sun
21-07-2025
- 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
Daily Mail
28-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
The home colour trends set to sweep Australia in 2025 - and the ones to avoid if you want a room that ages well
Burgundy, yellow, sage green and misty blue are going to be the trending home interior colours in 2025, according to a design expert. These dramatic shades are shaping up to be the go-to for renovators looking to add warmth and vibrancy to their interior home spaces. Dulux's Colour and Communications Manager Andrea Lucena-Orr explained that this year's trending shades have the potential to 'create atmosphere, connect with your home's surroundings, and make your space feel as unique as you are'. The expert added that the trending shades were featured throughout many of the home renovation projects that have been selected as finalists in the 2025 Dulux Colour Awards. Burgundy and deep reds Starting with arguably the most divisive trending shade for 2025, Andrea confirms that deep red tones like burgundy along with terracotta are 'back in a big way'. 'From living rooms to outdoor spaces, terracotta and burgundy bring richness and confidence. Its timeless appeal suits a wide range of architectural styles,' she told FEMAIL. She cited residential interior finalist project Claremont by WOWOWA Architecture in Melbourne for cleverly incorporating burgundy along with other warm earthy tones. Andrea explained that the Spanish-style home featured 'a romantic mix of pastels and rich burgundy to infuse the space with warmth and nostalgia, turning it into an intimate sanctuary'. The Lava Flow by Pac Studio project in New Zealand was another great example of this hue being well used. 'Volcanic reds throughout the home reflected the surrounding Auckland landscape,' Andrea explained. Joyful yellow Yellow is the other surprising colour Andrea singled out as one to watch this year. 'Yellow is making a joyful return, especially when paired with bold contrast colours,' Andrea said. However, she cautioned that the sunny hue is best used 'sparingly' as an accent to 'add vibrancy without overpowering the space'. A prime example was in New Zealand finalist Pac Studio's Mt Eden Garden House project, which Andrea says utilised yellow in light wells and on walls to add an energising feel. Sage green Sage green is also having an interior colour moment, with Andrea explaining it's the perfect shade 'for creating calm, harmonious spaces'. Andrea points to Sydney project finalist Balmain East House by Studio Johnston as a prime example of the soft green hue being used to 'bring calm to the kitchen and ground floor' areas. Misty blue For those that are only prepared to dip their toe into the world of coloured interiors, Andrea suggests misty blue as the ideal entry point. 'In the world of neutrals, 'greige' (a mix of grey and beige) paired with misty blues is one of the most powerful and peaceful combinations of the year.' Finalists like Melbourne's Stellar House by Robson Rak is a shining example of 'how this colour combination works in harmony to create serene, sophisticated spaces'. Colours to avoid Although some homeowners may be wary of coloured interiors cheapening the overall look of a house, Andrea insists that this year's trending shades can have the opposite effect when used with 'subtlety and finesse'. 'Colours like deep burgundy, rich sage green, and soft blues make a space feel sophisticated and luxurious,' the interior expert explained. However, Andrea concedes that not all colours 'stand the test of time' – and cautioned home renovators against using certain fast-ageing shades. 'Bright, bold primary colours used in large doses can feel too intense and date quickly,' she advised. 'Flat, stark whites also fall into this category, as they can make a space feel cold and impersonal.
