Australia’s first ‘floating’ bathhouse opens on Tamborine Mountain

The Gold Coast hinterland has welcomed Australia’s first ‘floating’ elemental bathhouse, a lakefront retreat where earth, air, fire and water rituals meet subtropical rainforest surrounds

Tamborine Mountain has welcomed a new wellness development with the opening of Sol Elements, a purpose-built bathhouse on the edge of a lake in the Gold Coast hinterland. Marketed as Australia’s first floating bathhouse, the project adds a contemporary health and leisure experience to a region already known for food, wine and rainforest escapes.

The site, at Tamborine Mountain Glades, was developed by husband-and-wife team Russell and Shae Raven, who wanted to create a retreat shaped around natural cycles rather than traditional spa menus. Their concept, described as “elemental bathing”, invites guests to move between experiences linked to earth, air, fire and water.

Architecture and setting

Designed by Brisbane-based studio Design Artisan Co, Sol Elements’ circular structure has been built directly over the water to create the illusion of floating. The geometry reflects the cyclical nature of the rituals on offer, while the choice of timber, stone and glass connects the interiors with the surrounding rainforest.

Large windows frame views of the lake, home to turtles, ducks and native birdlife, while the building’s footprint was planned to sit lightly within the existing environment. The design intention was less about spectacle than about creating a rhythm that supports transitions between heat, cold and rest.

Facilities and bathing concept

Sol Elements is arranged as a sequence of thermal and hydrotherapy spaces. Sessions are structured around a three-hour block, and guests can move between saunas, steam rooms, plunge pools and ice baths, as well as fire lounges designed for recovery between hot and cold immersion.

Part of a broader trend

Bathhouses and hydrotherapy retreats have expanded significantly in Australia over the past five years, often outside metropolitan centres. Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, with venues such as Alba Thermal Springs – which recently reopened following a renovation – has established itself as a leader, while New South Wales has seen projects from Byron Bay to the Southern Highlands. Sauna experiences are also increasingly popular.

Queensland has been slower to develop in this space, making Sol Elements a notable addition to the state’s wellness tourism landscape. Its position on Tamborine Mountain – less than an hour from Brisbane and the Gold Coast – places it within easy reach for day-trippers while also appealing to travellers seeking longer restorative breaks.

The project also aligns with global shifts in tourism, where wellness has become a key motivator for travel and nature-immersive facilities are in growing demand.

Sol Elements is open year-round, with three-hour sessions priced from AU$89.