Kingborough Council has approved a permit for a business venture that will bring a mobile sauna to the shores of Taroona Beach.
Elsewhere Sauna will operate a wood-fired sauna trailer during the cooler months, offering a unique wellness experience that combines traditional sauna therapy with ocean swimming.
It will run from 9am to as late as 4pm on Fridays and up to two additional weekdays during autumn, winter and spring.
The mobile facility will be permitted to set up in the beach car park from 6:30am on operating days but cannot open until 9am.
Each session will typically last 15 minutes, with participants encouraged to follow their sauna experience with an invigorating ocean dip.
At a council meeting on Monday, Councillor Kaspar Deane said the idea had been well received by the community.
“It’s quite an interesting proposal,” he said. “I’m not a sauna goer, but I think the feedback that I’ve received already from this is overwhelmingly been in support and excitement for the idea.”
Councillor Aldo Antolli praised the business owner for bringing something “smart and clever to our community”.
“This is a great use of public land because it’s close to a safe swimming area and it’s a service to the community,” he said.
The council has approved a 12-month trial period under specific conditions, including measures to prevent smoke nuisance and requirements to position the sauna away from the playground and exercise areas.
