Say hello to glassy waters.

Welcome to Watershed — Aotearoa’s first floating sauna experience.

Born from a love of fire, nature, and just taking a breath, Watershed is all about slowing down and feeling good.

Whether you’ve just returned from an adventure or seek a moment of stillness, Watershed lets you shed the stressful layers of everyday life - and restore your body, mind, and spirit — in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

And if you listen closely, you might just feel the lake’s gentle rise and fall — the legendary heartbeat of a sleeping giant, said in Māori legend to still pulse beneath the waters of Whakatipu.

a good time that’s good for you, too.

At Watershed, we celebrate the powerful benefits of contrast therapy — moving between the deep heat of the sauna and the invigorating chill of cold water.

Our two floating saunas feature plunge pools and direct access to the crystal-clear waters of Lake Whakatipu — always fresh, always cool, year-round. This natural sanctuary invites you to shed not only layers of stress but also toxins, as your body, largely composed of water, embraces this transformative experience.

This proven ritual helps reduce muscle soreness, speed up recovery, boost immunity, and lift your mood — while also enhancing mental resilience and improving sleep.

We believe wellness should feel natural, joyful, and within reach — and we’ve created the perfect space for you to experience this holistic rejuvenation.

Close to everything. Feels like nowhere else.

Watershed is located at St Omer’s Wharf, 110 Beach Street — perched on Queenstown’s final jetty where town meets wilderness.

Only a short walk from Queenstown’s bustling centre, Watershed feels like a peaceful retreat from the everyday. With breathtaking west-facing views across Lake Wakatipu and sunsets that light up Walter Peak, it’s the perfect place to reconnect with nature, yourself, and others.

Built by experts, made with love.

Watershed isn’t just a pretty spot — it’s been crafted by one of NZ’s best marine engineers, blending smart design with authentic Finnish sauna traditions.

Founder Dominic Bowden — a well-known face and respected media personality — is also the voice behind the wellness podcast Wellbeings. With 20 years in media across the USA, Australia, and NZ, he has recently launched New Zealand’s number one podcast, radio show, and wellness series. Beyond his love for contrast therapy and ice baths, Dom is happiest on a great walk and has long understood that nature is the best medicine of all. He has interviewed and met wellness icons and personalities like Wim Hof and Owen Eastwood, whose work emphasizes the importance of togetherness.

Dominic has conducted extensive research to ensure that the Watershed experience is of the highest quality, transformative, and strictly adheres to authentic Finnish principles.

FAQs

We welcome guests aged 12 and above when accompanied by a parent or guardian. For all other sessions, proof of age (18+) may be required.
To ensure a safe and relaxing environment, participation is not permitted under the influence of alcohol. If you are pregnant or have cardiovascular or other health conditions, please consult your medical professional before experiencing contrast therapy.
Pricing will be available when bookings go live — stay tuned!
We aim to have our booking system live by August 2025.
The lake water is cool year-round, making it ideal for contrast therapy. In summer, it can reach up to 13°C, while in winter it may drop to 7–8°C.
Not at all. You can enjoy the sauna without committing to a full cold plunge. We also have outdoor showers with reticulated lake water if you’d prefer a refreshing rinse instead.
Contrast therapy, which involves alternating between hot and cold exposure, helps improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and speed up muscle recovery. It stimulates the vascular and lymphatic systems, enhances detoxification, and has been linked to better mood, stress relief, and improved sleep. You’ll feel incredible afterward!

Watershed is a premium floating sauna experience featuring an incredible contrast therapy experience afforded by the pristine, alpine, crystal clear waters of Lake Whakatipu.
We’re passionate about the sauna experience, designing our saunas with Finnish expertise and experience for the most authentic sauna experience. Our experience is all about the incredible mental and physical health benefits of cold water immersion and contrast therapy. Above all else Watershed is fun! And we promise you will feel so good after.
Our saunas floating pontoon accessed from St Omer’s Wharf, 110 Beach Street, Queenstown. Close to everything in town as St Omer’s is the last jetty on the shoreline, our saunas have uninterrupted views down the lake and epic sunsets!
Guests book a preferred session time and check in at our reception space on St Omer’s Wharf. Towels, lockers, and changing rooms are provided. After a short welcome and briefing from your sauna host, you’ll walk down the gangway to the floating sauna for your 60-minute session on Lake Whakatipu.
We recommend no more than three 15-minute intervals in the sauna, with breaks in between to cool off, relax on the deck, or plunge into the lake. There are also cool rooms adjacent to the saunas, where you can rest between rounds, store your shoes, phone, and locker keys.
Our floating pontoon features two plunge “pools” for each of the two saunas. The pools are designated cut out areas built into the pontoons to look like swimming pools, giving easy access and immersion into the pristine, crystal waters of Lake Whakatipu.
No of course not. You may choose to sauna only. We have bench seating on the deck as well as in the cool rooms to chill out in between the heat of the saunas. (With underfloor heating for your feet!). Outside there are showers with reticulated lake water for a quick refresh if you prefer not to get into the lake water.
Yes! WATERSHED features two saunas — a larger sauna for up to 14 guests, and a smaller one for up to 6, ideal for private bookings. Each has its own plunge pool on the deck, with direct access to the cool, pristine waters of Lake Whakatipu. Both saunas offer large windows with epic westerly views across the lake.
Can I book the sauna privately?
Yes! The smaller sauna can be booked for private sessions — perfect for solo time, couples, or groups of up to 6 friends. You can also book the larger sauna or both to reserve the entire pontoon, ideal for weddings, wellness events, or special celebrations. Pricing will be confirmed when bookings open.

Where wellness meets good company.

At Watershed, we believe wellness and connection go hand in hand. Inspired by the social rituals of traditional sauna culture, Watershed offers a space for both stillness and meaningful connection.

Join us for gatherings and events at St Omer’s Wharf — a fresh, mindful way to come together outside of the usual bars and cafés.Whether you arrive with friends or meet someone new, you’ll quickly discover: the best conversations often happen in the warmth of a sauna.

With luxurious changing rooms, a welcoming lounge, and our Watershed wellness store on-site, everything you need is here — ready to step into a new ritual.