Throughout the spring season, South Australia experiences a true blend of weather. Many of us long for the sun-kissed days of summer and make the most of even the slightest hint of sun, yet the chill of winter often still makes a guest appearance, with the sweaters and jackets not making their way to the back of the wardrobe just yet.
One thing you can experience before the heat of summer rolls in, requiring minimal clothing no matter the weather, is The Salty Finn Sauna—a traditional Finnish woodfire sauna experience on wheels that’s redefining how we connect with nature and providing a time out for ourselves amidst our busy schedules.
Behind The Salty Finn Sauna experience is Kate, whose passion for Finnish culture is deeply rooted in her family history. The Sauna’s concept blends traditional Finnish sauna culture with the Australian love for the great outdoors, and it’s this combination that Kate wants guests to experience during their session.
‘I wanted to incorporate the Finnish elements of the sauna but apply it to an Australian context and modernise the traditional look’, says Kate. ‘Growing up, it was very common for us to have saunas with our family—my grandparents built one in their family home and my cousins and I would have them when we would go to visit.’
The Salty Finn Sauna is not your typical sauna. It’s a meticulously designed, timber-lined, woodfire sauna (built by a company in Melbourne that makes bespoke saunas) that offers an authentic Finnish communal sauna experience and accommodates up to 6 people at a time or, alternatively, can be booked for a private solo session.
The beauty of it is that it’s completely mobile, built on a trailer, which means guests can have the full sauna experience whilst overlooking some of South Australia’s finest beaches and natural landscapes.
Currently perched in Port Noarlunga as part of the suburb’s Encore Summer Activation Series, The Salty Finn Sauna’s schedule for next year has yet to be confirmed, but Kate plans to set up at three locations around South Australia from April to November, with the aim to spend two months in each spot.
When inside The Salty Finn Sauna, you’ll experience the warmth of inviting löyly (sauna steam) as it takes over your senses and provides a moment of escapism from the mundane day-to-day. It’s truly a practice of self-care—which, let’s face it, we all need at this time of year—and it’s a great way to revitalise and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul.
But if you want to take your Salty Finn Sauna experience to the next level and truly connect with nature, engage in the beneficial practice of hot and cold therapy and take a dip into the nearby ocean following your session.
‘Hot and cold therapy has become much more popular since the health and wellness benefits are so well known now’, says Kate. ‘There are so many cold water swimming groups at local beaches that draw in hundreds of people every week, and being able to combine the sauna benefits with the salt water benefits of the ocean is really a match made in heaven.’
Kate’s grandparents, who migrated to Australia in the 1950s, brought with them a love for Finnish traditions, including the sauna’s benefits, and Kate’s mission is to share this love by creating a space for solitude, fostering human bonds, and deepening our connection with nature. ‘If I can’t bring you to Finland, I will bring Finland to you’, says Kate.
Whilst traditional, modern saunas can get super hot to the point of unbearable, at The Salty Finn Sauna, guests have complete control of the heat and can turn it up by adding more water to the hot stones. Guests can also adjust their experience by moving to different levels of the sauna seating—the higher you go, the hotter it gets.
With The Salty Finn Sauna’s inaugural season coming to a close on Sunday, December 3rd, now is the best time to book your session and treat yourself to a momentary getaway and some time of solitude before the year is out. Each session runs for approximately 1 hour, which includes time for changing, but it’s recommended that you only stay in the sauna for 10-15 minutes at a time, take a dip in the ocean, and then repeat the process, to gain the full benefits.
‘Be prepared to jump straight in when you arrive for your session’, says Kate. ‘Wear your bathers or swimmers (no nudies!), bring a small towel to sit on in the sauna and a larger one to dry off, wear comfy clothes and shoes, bring water and remove your jewellery before attending.’
Book your session with South Australia’s first mobile beach sauna, The Salty Finn Sauna, via the link below and treat your mind, body and soul to this invigorating practice.
What: The Salty Finn Sauna.
Where: Port Noarlunga.
For further info and to book, click here and follow @thesaltyfinnsauna.
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