SOL Elements launches Australia’s first ‘floating’ elemental bathhouse in the heart of Tamborine Mountain

WORDS: Lauren Thomas PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

SOL Elements officially opens its doors this week unveiling an elemental bathhouse submerged in subtropical rainforest fronting a tranquil lake onsite Tamborine Mountain Glades in the Gold Coast hinterland.

Design: Situated on the lake’s edge, home to resident turtles, ducks and native birdlife, the exterior’s circular design resembles a ‘floating’ organic, circular structure designed to merge with nature’s surroundings, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the healing power of nature as part of their soul-led wellness journey.

Inspired by the four elements, earth, air, fire and water, the unique concept was envisioned by husband-and-wife duo, Russell and Shae Raven and brought to life by the design team at Design Artisan Co with precision.

Beneath SOL’s external form lies a hexadecagon – a 16-sided shape in sacred geometry that represents the bridge between earth and the divine, creating a space that embodies connection in all its forms – a transcendent journey to self, guided by mother nature.

The interior presents a Yin Yang Zen Garden complete with raked stones and nomo grass. At the base, a blooming Eastern Red Bud tree is perched in the centre of the open-air courtyard – a tangible nod to the balance of masculine and feminine energy – and a symbol of the ever-changing seasons of life.

Among SOL’s most distinctive design elements is its Yakisugi – traditional Japanese burnt wood. Under the guidance of master craftsmen, Kenji Nishishita, Russell Raven personally hand-burnt each piece of cladding framing the internal space and SOL’s two secluded suites. The meticulous, month-long process ensured each piece is one-of-a kind, imbued with its own character and a timeless, charred presence.

“Having the opportunity to spend a week with Kenji San, learning his family’s tradition of Yakisugi, changed my life. His appreciation for the small moments slowed me down enough to take a breath amidst the madness of this project coming to life,” says Co-Founder, Russell Raven.

To complement its organic and earth-inspired architecture, SOL Elements includes bronze and slate finishes from ABI Interior’s soon-to-be-released ‘Antique Collection.’ These premium fixtures and fittings are present throughout the elemental bathhouse including the secluded suites, communal playground and treatment rooms providing a “time-worn,” rustic aesthetic matched with SOL’s earthy presence.

“No element of SOL has gone without conscious creation and planning. The location and design are just the beginning – the real magic happens when you experience the SOL ethos and philosophy – driven by community, connection and the immersion of all senses, without a device distraction in sight – yes that’s right, we are a phone-free sanctuary,” says Russell.

“Our wellness destination is designed to provide our guests a genuine retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We are firm believers that immersive self-care rituals can provide a rich, soul-deep kind of wellness that lingers long after you leave,” adds Co-Founder, Shae Raven.

“The healing powers of nature are woven through the entirety of the SOL experience, starting with our idyllic location at Tamborine Mountain Glades, filtering through to SOL’s design and facilities but also, within our Spa Alchemy Rituals by Synthesis Organics– six bespoke treatments designed to enhance the elemental bathhouse experience,” says Shae.

Guests will find nature everywhere they look – including the brands we have partnered with to deliver the SOL experience such as Cloud Hidden & TeaGood for our herbal teas and Synthesis Organics for our signature SOL treatments. In collaboration with Synthesis Organics, we have also developed our own Signature SOL Lotus Encoded Elixir and scent,” adds Shae.

Facilities: The Earth Suite and Botanical Scrub Bar – complete with a lush living wall framing a four-metre ironbark slab adorned with 111 hand-carved bowls – offers the perfect beginning to the SOL Elements journey. This cleansing, indulgent ritual is designed to renew, invigorate, and prepare the body for the elemental bathing experience ahead.

“We are excited to provide our guests with the opportunity to craft their own organic body scrub with ingredients including the likes of Australian sea salt, raw brown sugar, ground coffee, chamomile flower, hibiscus flower, spirulina, calendula and rose petals – it allows guests to be intuitive with their skincare and wellness routine,” says Shae.

SOL Elements consists of three outdoor communal magnesium thermal pools heated to 38 degrees, two cold plunges at a refreshing 12 degrees and two bookable magnesium float caves infused with 39% salt and a generous quantity of both Epsom and dead sea salt – a detoxifying concoction for the mind, body and spirit. There is also a cedar wood sauna offering a glass-faced lookout perched over the lake, a ‘silent’ steam room and a Himalayan salt cave.

Holding just 30 guests within the communal space at one time, the inclusion of SOL’s outdoor communal firepit, submerged below water level is part of the bathing experience, allowing guests to enjoy a moment of tranquillity with nature as the backdrop. This communal area is designed for conscious connection either with self, or other guests with the fire softly crackling from a distance.

Secluded Suites: In addition to the communal bathing areas sits SOL’s two elemental secluded suites one of which is dog-friendly, designed for couples and small intimate groups seeking the ultimate in privacy and seclusion. Each secluded suite includes a thermal mineral bath perched on a private balcony, complete with an indoor infrared sauna, ice bath and panoramic views of the glistening lake.

Guests will also enjoy their own exclusive Earth Lab, featuring Synthesis Organics’ Rainforest Renewal and Ocean Bliss botanical scrubs, along with a volcanic mud clay mask. Enhancing the secluded suite experience is a wellness mini bar stocked with signature ‘spatinis’ and a ritual tea station by Cloud Hidden, offering a curated selection of ceremonial teas. These include ‘Resonance’ white tea – a clarifying elixir that cools and detoxifies the body – and ‘Transcendence’ red tea, designed to enhance focus and energy, making it the perfect choice for a morning spa session.

Alchemy Spa Rituals: For guests seeking additional indulgence and wellbeing, SOL Elements invites guests to discover their Alchemy Spa Rituals offering a luxurious journey to elevate the body, mind and spirit connection. Lasting between 30 minutes and 2 hours, each treatment blends energetic, alternative, and traditional healing techniques, utilising advanced wellness modalities.

One of SOL’s six signature rituals is the Signature SOL Transcendence Ritual – a deeply immersive two-hour experience created to relax the body, clear the mind and uplift the spirit. This slow-paced journey layers together the SOL Lotus-Encoded Elixir oil, targeted energy cleansing, a crystal hot stone aromatherapy massage, progressive facial techniques and a restorative crown and scalp treatment.

In addition, is the Earthing Immersion – an Australian Hot Stone and Sound Journey. This treatment blends warm and cool stones, respectfully gathered with permission from Indigenous Elders, into a full-body massage enhanced with essential oils distilled from the Australian bush. Guests are guided through the healing power of stones sourced from remote regions across the country, including Mookaite from Western Australia, Kakadu and Dreamtime from stone country in the Northern Territory. The journey continues with the grounding energy of Australian black jade, the radiance of Azoria Gold from Queensland, and the deep, verdant hues of Green Marble from the Pilbara — a ritual designed to connect body, mind, and spirit to the land’s ancient energy.

“This has been four years in the making – a journey filled with challenges, breakthroughs, tears and laughter. Every detail has been considered, every element crafted with intention, to create something we believe hasn’t been seen before in the Australian wellness space. SOL is quite literally, our heart and soul, and we can’t wait to open our doors and welcome guests into our elemental sanctuary we’ve dreamed of for so long,” says Russell.