Floating Sauna Lake Derby — Local services in Derby

The whole concept is great - it’s the rude staff and lack of basics that let this place down. I live in Tasmania and have visited the sauna numerous times (bringing friends and family with me). Tonight we did the 8pm session and obviously it was dark. There were no lights whatsoever along the path and if we didn’t know where to go (because we have visited before), the sauna would have been very difficult to find. Some small solar lights along the path would be so helpful and surely wouldn’t break the bank. The platform bar one small floor light in each change room is also pitch black. I’m fine with the sauna being dark but it would be nice to have some lights on the lake (so you could see it) and maybe even some fairy lights to change the vibe. Again, these would be inexpensive additions that would make a world of difference. Because it was so dark, it was also difficult to see the edge of the platform which could have disastrous consequences.

The “worker” (that’s how he identified himself) was awful to everyone. Firstly, the sauna was not very hot. The worker said he would come in at 8.30pm to put wood on the fire. It got to almost 8.45pm and he had not come in. I went out to jump in the lake and tried to call out to him (he was sitting near the tables before you come in). I know he heard me because I heard movement but got no response. I jumped in because it was cold and then called out to him as soon as I got out. I had to call out a couple of times before he responded. Weird. He was just sitting there. He finally came in at 8.50pm and when I said “you said you were coming in at 8.30pm” he said something about losing track of time. He obviously didn’t like being asked to put more wood on the fire because when I said it wasn’t hot, he sarcastically said that to keep that sauna hot the door had to be closed and he had seen it open for 40-50 seconds while he was there. He said this as he was standing in the doorway with the door open. Ummm what? We also didn’t leave the door open for more than a few seconds going in and out. On top of this there wasn’t any water in the bucket to generate steam and when I asked about this he said, there’s water in the bucket as he was walking out. I had to say no, there’s not. He begrudgingly came back in and added a small amount of water to the bucket. Put simply, he was just rude and not someone who should work in customer service. He was also not very nice to the other two guests when he couldn’t find their booking.

So by the time the sauna got hot, it was time to get out. Conveniently, the worker didn’t “lose track of time” when he came in at 8.55pm on the dot telling us it was time to leave.

When we left, the worker did not say anything - not a goodbye, thanks for coming - nothing. He clearly didn’t want to be there and basically ruined the experience for us.

Like I said, the concept is great but it is clearly being run on a shoestring budget because it doesn’t need to rely on repeat business.

Not sure if I’ll return and definitely not...

My partner bought me a voucher for the floating sauna for my birthday. We rarely have time off together so I was able to book for the day after Boxing Day. We were really looking forward to it. The location is stunning. It really is a beautiful spot. However, I don’t know if it was maybe more so because of when we went, or if this is a common occurrence, but we were expecting a beautiful, peaceful and serene experience. Not realising a bike track runs right along side the sauna. There is also a cove located on the other side which clearly makes for an ideal swimming spot. Because there was a massive family swimming with a number of screaming children. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for kids enjoying their summer and I have no beef with them choosing this location. My only issue is that I wasn’t aware that this would be the case and it made it a little hard to relax fully. We also didn’t realise the staff member would sit right there the whole time. So it felt a little intrusive. I also understand this is probably a safety issue. Again, it was just something we hadn’t known about prior. FYI she was lovely. My only other issue is I kinda wish we’d been able to book for an hour and a half. We’re not the sort of people to use facilities like this regularly. So finding a rhythm to the sauna and then plunge and then sauna etc took a bit. So by the time we fell into a relaxing rhythm, our time was almost over. But I do need to say, it was a fun experience. The location was gorgeous. The water was so glorious. I believe she said it was 21 degrees when we were there. No debris. Super deep. Dragon flies and swallows flying around the surface. It was lovely. I just wish we’d know what to expect going in as all we’d seen were photos of pure serenity. Would totally do it again but probably book for a...

This is an amazing experience. Just the drive to Derby is amazing, as so many places in Tasmania are. Once walked 5-10 minutes along a well cleared trail from the carpark, with a bike training track and camping nearby, you come across the lake first. And you know this is going to be something really magical, before you start! After pre-booking, where, after left late, we could only nab a 9.00am slot; for all the early rising, to get to Derby from Launceston - I think we all realised it was so worth it! This is a bucket list experience. Truly. The sauna (there are plans in the making for one more!) is moored at the lake’s edge, in a magnificent, green, specifically Australian, bushland setting. So many photo ops! There’s a fire pit setup, I guess for apres Winter saunas. How wonderful. Just the thought is romantic! The lowdown is given and change rooms are right there, opposite the sauna, from which smoke can be seen chugging out of its little chimney. So rustic even. After a bit in the sauna, a jump in the lake from the pontoon, is advised - and so much fun 🤩 Again in the sauna, again in the lake and so on and so forth, for 50 minutes or an hour? Get the picture… it’s an amazing one. The charge is reasonable per person. If less than 5 pax, you will be sharing pews in the sauna, however, it may be booked for private sessions too. So a group booking would be fun too. We had fun sharing our experience 🥰 The whole trip there from Launceston, the experience of the floating sauna, as well as the trip back, and remembering we did that, was so very special indeed… This one is something for the memoirs. I do so highly recommend this experience (and it’s in Derby, Tasmania, not Finland!) I will not forget it. Bucket...