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How global wellness trends are shaping a new era – and why Melbourne is at the forefront. Share this on LinkedIn, Twitter

As the global wellness economy surges toward a projected US$9 trillion valuation by 2028, a new wave of health-conscious design, technology and tradition is transforming how – and where – we recharge. From AI-driven diagnostics to centuries-old bathing rituals, wellness is no longer confined to day spas and detoxes. It’s a lifestyle philosophy – and one that cities like Melbourne are embracing with intellect and imagination.


The global trends defining wellness


According to the Global Wellness Summit’s 2025 trend report, the future of wellness will be defined by two seemingly opposing forces: the rise of “analog wellness” and the acceleration of “augmented biology”. The former is a response to digital fatigue – think tactile rituals, time in nature, communal bathing and breathwork. The latter, meanwhile, reflects the biohacking boom, with everything from wearables and IV drips to advanced personalisation of nutrition and recovery programs taking centre stage.


Other standout trends include the evolution of the sauna into a social destination and the growing demand for wellness spaces that blend functionality with high design. These are not passing fads, they’re redefining what it means to live well in a high-pressure world.


Melbourne’s modern Renaissance in wellness


While global players like Six Senses, Lanserhof and SHA Wellness continue to dominate at the ultra-luxury end of the spectrum, a quieter but no less compelling story is unfolding in Melbourne. Across inner-city neighbourhoods and leafy fringe suburbs, a new generation of bathhouses is flourishing, combining healing, hospitality and high design.


In Collingwood and South Yarra, Inner Studio is pioneering a community-first approach to wellness through breathwork, yoga and contrast therapy. “Our mission is to change the way people perceive stress,” says Inner Studio director, Will Slade. “We use hormetic stress conditioning – through breathwork and hot and cold exposure – to build resilient individuals, while fostering a supportive community where people grow stronger together, physically, mentally and socially. Everyone who walks through our door should feel better when they leave.”


On the Victorian Surf Coast, About Time Bathhouse in Torquay merges sensory immersion with slow, deliberate wellness. The space features indoor and outdoor pools, saunas and tailored treatments all grounded in thoughtful design. “This isn’t a place for performance metrics,” says About Time marketing lead Emily Curnow. “It’s a space for slowness and sensory depth. We create deliberate moments where the outside world fades and the body becomes the compass. A space where we don’t chase wellness, we remember it.”


Further north, Collingwood’s Sense Of Self (SOS) draws on founder Freya Berwick’s experiences living in Norway and her appreciation of Scandinavian design and sauna culture. Designed to quiet the mind of the ‘modern being’, SOS blends contemporary design with ancient bathing traditions to create an inclusive environment and focus on physical sensations and the senses.


“In today’s world, we’re constantly asked to speed up,” says Berwick. “SOS invites people to slow down, feel grounded in their bodies and rest

without pressure. People can come as they are and take what they need, rather than feeling obligated to do things a ‘right way’.”


The city as sanctuary


Melbourne’s bathhouse boom reflects more than consumer demand – it’s part of a broader shift in how wellness is being integrated into urban life. These spaces are not tucked away on mountaintops or accessible only via retreat. They’re in the heart of the city, walking distance from tram stops and co-working spaces, designed as places to drop in after work or spend slow Sunday mornings.

“This resurgence isn’t just about relaxation; it’s a return to ritual,” says Emily Curnow. “As modern life accelerates, bathhouses offer the warmth and presence a counterbalance to noise and urgency.”

With its blend of design intelligence, cultural openness and progressive health thinking, Melbourne is emerging as a case study in how to do wellness right.

Inner Studio - innerstudio.com.au

About Time Bathhouse - atthebathhouse.com.au

Sense Of Self - sos-senseofself.com

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