A new era of affordable-luxury wellness has arrived.
Sydney has officially welcomed its first self-service luxury wellness club, and it’s set to change the way locals recover, recharge and rejuvenate.
XtraClubs, launched by brothers Anthony and James Simonetta and their friend Simon Hamilton, is Australia’s first wellness brand offering a tech-enhanced, self-service approach to recovery. With memberships starting at just $27.95 per week, the club is making what was once reserved for elite athletes and the wealthy accessible to everyday Australians.
What’s inside?
XtraClubs has the largest Finnish sauna in the southern hemisphere. (Image: Supplied)
XtraClubs’ flagship spaces include the largest Finnish sauna in the southern hemisphere, seating up to 35 people, alongside infrared saunas, ice baths and steam rooms. Designed to rival the world’s leading bathhouses, the clubs are open from 6am until 11pm daily, allowing members to drop in when it suits their schedule.
The science-backed benefits
XtraClubs makes contrast therapy more accessible. (Image: Supplied)
Wellness isn’t just a buzzword here. Studies have shown that Finnish saunas may lower the risk of cardiovascular issues and improve sleep, while infrared saunas can boost circulation and aid muscle recovery. Ice baths are linked to better mood and post-exercise recovery, and steam bathing is suggested to support skin health and longevity.
For co-founder Anthony Simonetta, the idea was deeply personal. After years of long hours left him overweight, stressed and unwell, he craved an affordable, convenient space to access the rejuvenating effects of saunas. When he couldn’t find one, he built it.
“I wanted a place where I could go any time, stay as long as I liked and could access premium wellness facilities without paying for overpriced single sessions," he says.
Where to find it
Bondi Junction: 434–436 Oxford St
Green Square: 18/20 Zetland Ave
And this is only the beginning; more locations are in the works.
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Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
The heavens take centre stage at this Outback NSW glamping lodge.
Crane your neck. Look up. If it’s nighttime in a major Australian city, you might see a faint dusting of stars. Now imagine yourself out in the bush. Here, those stars aren’t just scattered dots – instead, they’re smudged across the sky in endless, glittering streaks. Welcome to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit, a new glamping lodge in one of the most picturesque corners of outback NSW.
Between its eight stargazing tents, Gilay Guest Lounge, and shared tales of the Dreamtime night sky, this retreat is designed to exist in harmony with the breathtaking lake and surrounding landscape. Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know.
Watch the sky melt into magic at Wilderluxe.
Getting to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit
Wilderluxe Lake Keepit is in the NSW Northern Tablelands, bordered by the Great Dividing Range. The lake itself is hard to miss: this mammoth body of water is two-thirds the size of Sydney Harbour.
Just 40 minutes from Tamworth and close to Gunnedah, it’s on the inland route between Sydney and Byron Bay. Drive or take one of the daily flights to Tamworth’s airport.
Let vast waters and towering ranges set the scene for your escape.
Wilderluxe Lake Keepit rooms
Don’t settle for a paltry room when you can sleep directly under the cosmos. Wilderluxe offers eight domed ‘Star Tents’, all named after Aboriginal sky stories – like Djirri Djirri, the sacred messenger bird, Baiame, the Sky Father and great creator, and Dhinawan, the Emu in the Sky constellation.
On a clear night, use your tent’s retractable roof for gazing above or wander to the outdoor bathtub on your private deck to soak under the night sky. No need to go anywhere. You can stay put come evening with a kitchenette inside and a gas barbecue on the deck.
Sleep beneath the stars.
Style and character
When it comes to aesthetics, Wilderluxe Lake Keepit stays on trend. The encampment blends with its surroundings, building up layers of minimalist visuals that mirror the ever-changing curves of the water.
Earthy tones, natural materials and timber finishes also anchor the retreat in its bushland surrounds. It’s enough to deepen the sense of calm you’ll experience as you drive off-grid, and this is only heightened as you spot kangaroos grazing at dawn or hear the chatter of native birds by the lake.
Go off-grid in style at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit.
Wilderluxe Lake Keepit dining
‘Dinner and a show’ hits differently with the property’s Big Sky dinner experience. Hosted in the Gilay Lounge, enjoy complimentary drinks and a grazing table with the host, followed by a screening of Big Sky Dreaming, a film produced exclusively for Wilderluxe guests in which Kamilaroi storyteller Uncle Len Waters narrates tales of the Dreaming above.
Once your imagination has been fed, it’s time to take a seat fireside for a glass of Australian port and a serving of s’mores.
Keen to explore the wider area? Staff can provide barbecue and picnic hampers, stuffed with regional meats, cheeses and organic local fare.
Wilderluxe Lake Keepit facilities
While you could very well spend all your time in your tent, sometimes it’s time to hit pause on the celestial show. Instead, make your way up to the Gilay Guest Lounge, where you can relax on the deck overlooking the lake or the outdoor fire pits. It’s a great way to unwind and clink glasses with other stargazers.
Unwind by the fire and raise a glass at Gilay Lounge.
Wilderluxe Lake Keepit experiences
No need to turn nocturnal; when the sun rises, there are still plenty of ways to touch the sky.
Lake Keepit hosted the 2020 Women’s World Gliding Championships, and it’s one of the best places in Australia to stretch your wings. The local Soaring Club operates year-round, meaning you can book a gliding experience any day of the year – or opt for a scenic flight to take in the vast beauty from above.
Prefer to keep your feet on solid ground? There are plenty of walking and cycling trails in and around the area. Luckily, bikes are part of the Wilderluxe package. All you have to do is ask a staff member for their favourite route, throw a picnic onto the back and cycle off into the great beyond.
Alternatively, nab a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or kayak and head out onto the lake. Or, if you’re feeling lucky, borrow a fishing rod and try your chances.
Paddle into peace.
The details
A two-night minimum twin-share accommodation package includes Big Sky dinner and drinks experience, plus daily continental breakfast. As well as access to leisure equipment including mountain bikes, kayaks, SUPs and fishing gear.
Let nature restore you, while luxury takes care of the rest.
