Pemberton’s floating sauna on track for late August launch

Pemberton’s long-awaited floating sauna is set to launch in August, adding another major drawcard to the town’s growing nature-based tourism offering.

The sauna will be in the historic Pemberton Swimming Pool precinct, tying into a wider network of attractions including the recently reopened Gloucester Tree, the Pemberton Mountain Bike Park and the new Arboretum trails.

Pemberton Visitor Centre president Graeme Dearle said the project was moving steadily toward completion.

“The pontoon has been brought in, and at this stage we are looking at mid-to-late August opening for the floating sauna,” he said.

“Construction is expected to be finished by the end of July, but there will still be some final works to complete, including pathways and a few other finishing touches before it can officially open.”

Mr Dearle said the project represented an important step in Pemberton’s ongoing shift towards tourism as the key economic driver.

“From the Pemberton visitor Centre’s perspective, transitioning from logging into tourism is our number one goal,” he said.

“We want to bring more tourists into Pemberton, encourage them to stay for longer, and see more tourism dollars spent in the town.

“The floating sauna gives visitors another reason to come here. It will be a major attraction not just for Pemberton, but for the wider region as-well.”

Mr Dearle said the town was entering an exciting period, with several visitor experiences coming together at the same time.

“The Gloucester Tree is an instrumental attraction for the area and having it reopened is a major boost for businesses,” he said.

“The floating sauna will sit alongside that, next to the mountain bike trials and walking trails, giving people more reasons to visit and explore.

“The more low-impact, nature-based attractions we can develop in the area, the stronger Pemberton’s tourism future becomes.”

Pemberton Visitor Centre representative Mark Hudson said the sauna would complement the broader trail and recreation network already developing around the town.

“Where the floating sauna will be located, you have the Pemberton Mountain Bike Park, the new Arboretum mountain bike trails, and walking trails, so there is about 40 kilometres of trial network around that precinct,” he said.

“The Gloucester Tree and the pool precinct are connected through the new Arboretum trials.”

Mr Hudson said the project would help position Pemberton as a destination where visitors could spend a full day or weekend exploring.

“It is about giving people a reason to stay longer,” he said.

“They might come for the Gloucester Tree, but then they can ride the trails, walk through the forest, visit the pool and then enjoy the floating sauna.

“It all works together to build Pemberton into a full tourism experience.”