There’s a formula to the perfect day in the mountains: slow start, good coffee, a long (preferably rainy) bushwalk, and then, ideally, a soak and steam in a local bathhouse. Blackheath – one of the most interesting, creative towns in the Blue Mountains – was missing one vital piece of the puzzle until Aqua Ignis Bathhouse opened its doors earlier this year. Here’s what you need to know about this new, intimate zen-zone.
Housed within a heritage-listed 100-year-old building, the intimate, eucalyptus-scented space is spread over two levels. Just off Blackheath’s main street, Aqua Ignis sits quietly behind a discreet, green-tiled doorway – only announcing itself as a bathhouse with the steam that fogs the windows. Inside, curved wooden walls (designed to be sensitive to the heritage space, in collaboration with acclaimed designer Siki Im) form a walkway that leads you through to a hot rock sauna, two cold plunge pools, and a vast magnesium pool backed by a window overlooking the outdoor relaxation space. Up a narrow staircase, you’ll find a herbal-infused steam room, a few private showers, and a circular lounge space with comfy, low loungers and free-flowing herbal tea.
Blackheath’s new wellness oasis is the brainchild of two close friends (Lee and Taku) whose lives have both been shaped by memories of communal bathing. For Lee, those memories can be traced back to childhood visits to his grandparents in Osaka, and the Japanese influence is evident in the minimalist design and quiet, community-minded ethos. Along with his co-founder Taku, Lee was inspired by the modern Australian bathhouses that are gaining popularity (notably Kiva and the Banya in Mullumbimby) to create a communal bathhouse and community hub to help locals and visitors feel their best. The name comes from the Latin words for fire and water, but it’s so much more than an in-and-out contrast therapy centre.
“We created Aqua Ignis to give back to the place that shaped us,” they explained. “It’s a space of restoration, not performance. A place to breathe deeper, sit quieter, and reconnect – whether you’re a local or a traveller, a wellness regular, or just starting out.”
Visitors can choose between self-guided 90-minute sessions (the most popular option) or carefully designed circuits of the space curated for different mind/body benefits. Keen? You can book over here.
Time Out tip: Book a table at Frankie and Mo's – a gorgeous family-run wine bar just around the corner – for a post-soak feed and a glass of excellent low-intervention vino.
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