Bathing Australia launches its website ahead of World Bathing Day 2022

As the public face of Australian Hot and Mineral Springs Alliance, Bathing Australia has launched its website in time for the celebration of World Bathing Day on 22nd June. The membership-based platform is designed to showcase some of Australia’s most iconic bathing locations set in nature, and to present the story of this growing sector to a wider audience.

The Bathing Australia website provides links to some of Australia’s most impressive hot springs, mineral springs and sea baths. 

The selection of bathing venues includes existing facilities Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs, Hepburn Springs Bathhouse, Geelong Sea Baths, and Peninsula Hot Springs, as well as the soon to launch Metung Hot Springs (opening in Winter) and Alba Thermal Springs & Spa (opening in Spring). Other projects in the pipeline include: 12 Apostles Hot Springs and Geelong Mineral Springs and Wellness Centre. Expanding from these destinations along the emerging Great Victorian Bathing Trail, facilities from other states are being welcomed to join the membership-based platform.

Alba Thermal Springs and Spa general Manager, Craig Dodd says it is finally time for travellers and experience seekers to discover the nurturing benefits of Australia’s bathing culture and adds “there’s no better place to recalibrate than the peaceful surrounds of outdoor geo-thermal pools. Whether it be an invigorating swim in the ocean or a float in a warm bath, it will allow you to restore balance.”

On 22nd June, existing and emerging bathing destinations around the globe are coming together to celebrate World Bathing Day. The theme for this year is ‘Healing Together’, where individuals and communities are invited to visit their local bathing places, and find time to collectively reconnect, reunite and rebirth. For Bathing Australia, it is particularly being recognised as a moment to honour First Nations connections to Country, and the reciprocal relationship that we all share with water and land ecosystems.

There is also a Global Sound Bath event where local musicians and bathing facilities will collaborate to stream live performances from the day. Together these activities will promote World Bathing Day’s powerful message of ‘Healing Together’ with water, reaching those who may need it most.

The ability to bathe and dive deep into the process of healing is crucial for the revival of communities this World Bathing Day. Founder and Creative Director of Peninsula Hot Springs, Charles Davidson says Australia’s two years of lockdowns have had a huge emotional toll on people’s wellbeing.

“As a community and as the world, we are exhausted,” says Davidson.

“Now more than ever, after being isolated and having lost our sense of freedom, we need to reconnect with ourselves, each other and the environment around us. Laying in a natural hot springs pool is nature's gift of connection and the perfect place to be healing together.”

Deep Blue Hotel and Hot Springs Marketing Manager, Lauren Orero says World Bathing Day is also a time to remind people to connect back to the traditional bathing cultures of their homeland.

“Coming together in a collective sense, World Bathing Day is a time for us all to ‘heal together’ as one, and with gratitude for our local water environments, cultural rituals and traditions,” says Orero.

Bathing culture and rituals are ingrained deep within all of us, from the time we are born until the time we pass away. That is why bathing feels so natural. Being in and around water has the potential to break down barriers between people of all backgrounds, bringing communities and individuals closer together. This simple act of wellness has the ability to truly heal and nurture one’s body and mind, something that millions of people around the world need right now.

Do you love bathing or operate a bathing facility? Get involved.

Community members, businesses and organisations are all encouraged to post inspiring images from the day on social media, hashtagging #worldbathingday and #healingtogether.

You can also host your own live musical performance as a part of the Global Sound Bath, which can either be in person or streamed online.

For more information visit Bathing Australia’s website and socials facebook.com/bathingaustralia; instagram.com/bathingaustralia/

More information on World Bathing Day 

With thanks to Jaari Heyes

Image top: Peninsula Hot Springs; Image above Metung Hot Springs