Watershed is a purpose-built attraction that allows guests to experience the benefits of contrast therapy. The wellness practice, involves resting in the encompassing warmth of one of two saunas, and then taking to the cool waters of the lake to provide the temperature contrast.
Located on the alpine town’s St Omer’s Wharf, the pools are designated cut out areas built into surrounding pontoons made to look like swimming pools, giving easy access and immersion into Lake Whakatipu.
If you’re not so keen on the dip, there is space to sit on the decking to chill out in between the heat of the sauna. The area even has underfloor heating to keep your feet comfortable, handy in the winter months.
A larger communal sauna space welcomes up to 14 guests, while a smaller one suits up to 6 people, ideal for private bookings.
Popular in Nordic countries, the contrast therapy approach is growing quickly around the world as practitioners tout a number of physical and metal benefits.
Inspired by traditional ‘polar plunges’ well known in Scandinavian countries and Japanese Onsen enjoyed year round, the treatment involves subjecting your body to a warm environment like a sauna or hot pool and then plunging into a freezing ice bath – or frigid lake – for several minutes. Often this cycle is repeated a number of times.
Familiar to athletes for muscle recovery, proponents of contrast therapy tout a variety of benefits including athletic performance, cognitive function, better circulation, sleep and even improved immunity. However, though the muscle benefits, like improvements in muscle soreness, have research behind them, scientific proof available for other claims are still emerging.
Watershed has been created by former TV host Dominic Bowden and hospitality expert Andrew Glenn, the man behind Waiheke’s popular The Oyster Inn.
“Visitors have always left Queenstown with sore legs and tired heads,” says Bowden of the new attraction in the town known for its adventure and sporting drawcards. “We want them to leave with clarity. With more vitality, and more connection than when they arrived. That should be the new standard for New Zealand tourism.”
The sauna has been created in Scandinavian sauna tradition, but with design that aims to compliment the local landscape.
The new sauna is the second planned for the Queenstown waterfront, with Thermae sauna in the works from Tim McMahon, who also just opened new hot pools Bathe by Aluume near Queenstown’s town centre.
The Bathhouse Queenstown is another luxury bathing development in the works for the popular tourist destination.
Booking for hour-long sessions at Watershed saunas are now open.
