Overview
It probably comes as little surprise, but sauna is all the sweaty rage these days. So, with these steamy spaces now playing a central role everywhere from the gym to upmarket hotels to people's very own backyards, the Australian Sauna Association (ASA) has emerged as a new not-for-profit ready to bring sauna businesses of all stripes under a single banner.
And to mark the occasion, the ASA is kicking things off with what it's calling The Big Sweat. Held over two days at Leura's Blue Mountains Sauna from Saturday, August 22–Sunday, August 23, the event brings together sauna enthusiasts and industry professionals from across the country for a huge celebration of wellness culture.
The debut edition has taken inspiration from like-minded festivals around the globe — the Sauna Summit in the UK being one example — where a love of communal sauna is combined with live music, talks and workshops, great food and shared experiences. At the end of the weekend, it's hoped our local sauna community will be even stronger.
"This is not about copying Finland or any other sauna culture exactly," says Nikita Miltiadou, President of the Australian Sauna Association. "It is about learning from cultures that have kept sauna alive for centuries, then asking what a genuine Australian sauna culture can become. We have the landscape, the appetite and the need for better gathering places. Now we need the education, infrastructure and standards to do it properly."
For visitors heading along to The Big Sweat, that means communal sauna sessions in indoor and outdoor wood-fired saunas, as well as cold plunges and hot-cold bathing experiences. Then, you might gather around an open fire, dance to DJs spinning tracks and chat with other sauna fanatics about what's levelling up their recent restorative encounters.
Who knows, it might be aufguss — a standout focus at The Big Sweat for its inaugural event. Pronounced owf-gooss, this time-honoured tradition sees a sauna master pour water, usually infused with essential oils, over heated stones. Then, a series of choreographed towel movements help circulate steam through the room. That's the kind of sauna culture everyone can get behind.
The Big Sweat is happening at Blue Mountains Sauna in Leura from Saturday, August 22–Sunday, August 23. Head to the website for tickets and more information.
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Images: Supplied.