Pemberton Eyes Nordic-Style Floating Sauna as Part of Wellness Tourism Push
As tourism operators in Western Australia’s South West seek to position the region as a prime destination for wellness tourism, a developer is proposing a Nordic-inspired floating sauna in Pemberton’s historic pool.
Saunas and cold plunges have long been integral to Nordic culture, and similar attractions have gained popularity in places like Oslo, Norway. Sauna business owner Nigel Reeves, who has already established a floating sauna in Tasmania’s Derby and received approval for one in Canberra, is now proposing the addition of sauna cabins at Pemberton’s century-old pool. Visitors would be able to rent a sauna cabin for an hour and take a cold plunge in the water.
Reeves believes that the growing Australian sauna culture will resonate with travelers seeking wellness experiences. “Since starting up in Tasmania, three other sauna businesses have launched,” he said. “People are increasingly looking for wellness and nature-based experiences when choosing destinations for their holidays.”
The floating saunas have proven popular with mountain bikers in Derby and are seen as an attractive addition to nature-based tourism.
Growing Wellness Tourism
This proposal comes as Australia’s South West tourism body aims to make the region the leading destination for nature-based tourism by 2034. Lisa Spencer, from Destination Wellbeing, noted that wellness tourism is growing faster than the broader tourism industry. Wellness travelers tend to visit off-peak seasons, stay longer, and spend more, making them a valuable target market for the region.
New experiences such as bathhouses, spas, guided meditation, and forest bathing are emerging across the area, in addition to existing nature trails.
The Global Wellness Institute anticipates that wellness tourism will generate over $1 trillion globally by 2028, underscoring its potential economic impact.
Cautious Optimism for Pemberton
While the proposal for floating saunas in Pemberton is still awaiting local approval, the Western Australian government has shown its support by awarding a $170,000 timber transition grant to the project. This grant is part of efforts to grow new industries in timber towns like Pemberton, especially following the ban on native logging.
Graeme Dearle, head of the Pemberton Tourism Association, expressed cautious excitement about the potential project. He noted that a new tourism attraction could benefit the town, but it must not come at the expense of the environment. The Pemberton Pool, a century-old, community-maintained waterway, holds significant value for locals and is a popular Instagram spot.
Dearle emphasized the importance of consulting with the local community to ensure the proposal aligns with their interests. “We need this, especially for jobs, and we would be mad not to consider it,” he said, acknowledging concerns over the closure of the town’s famous climbing trees.
Environmental Considerations and Community Support
Reeves assured that the sauna setup would have no environmental impact, as the infrastructure could be easily dismantled if the project proves unsuccessful. He is committed to working with the local community and hopes to give back to the pool if the project moves forward.
“There’s no reason why it couldn’t succeed,” he said, confident in the project’s potential to enhance Pemberton’s tourism offering.
