Beyond the bathroom: The rise and ritual of outdoor bathing

It might be a quiet night alone with stars above, steam rising. Another day, it’s a morning soak, enjoying the view over a rolling landscape stretching as far as the horizon. 

There’s been a shift over the past years with the bathtub stepping outside, onto decks, into courtyards and next to our favourite holiday cabins… No longer always tucked away inside, behind closed doors. Baths are reclaiming their role as a ritual, rather than always being about routine, and it’s little wonder as we all try to slow down, reconnect with nature and find moments of calm within everyday life. 

Stonebaths has been part of this movement since the beginning, working with homeowners and accommodation providers to create baths that feel as good as they look, and live up to our harsh Australian environments. 

Founder and Director Jim Bedwell’s travel influences have helped shape the collection, from Pacific Island resorts where he installed outdoor baths over a decade ago, to remote eco-retreats and experiencing the bathing culture of Japanese onsen. What stayed with him was the simplicity of the ritual: a smaller volume than a spa, a more intimate experience where one can sit and soak in the environment. He wondered, why couldn’t all of this be experienced right at home?

But it’s not as simple as placing a regular bathtub outside. Unlike some other parts of the world, Australia is a country of extremes. In the north, humidity lingers, UV reaches the top of the scales and heat stays long after the sun sets. In more southern areas, temperatures can drop below zero with frost blanketing the ground before warming up during the day and then dropping again. 

Indoor baths simply don’t survive in these environments. Cracks will make their way across the surface, rust can appear, colour can fade and the whole tub can start to warp. Special care is needed for an outdoor bath to live permanently in the elements, expanding and cooling, weathering light and moisture. The challenge is to not only survive these conditions, but to do so gracefully, retaining comfort, beauty and integrity over time.

“We needed to make sure our products could withstand outdoor elements, from the extreme heat of northern Australia right down to below zero in New Zealand,” says Jim. “Australia and New Zealand are very different environments, so we needed a product that was robust across a number of climates. It took a few years before we felt confident that we really had a product that could live outdoors long-term.”

Rather than adapting their indoor baths for external use, Stonebaths began developing designs to withstand the weather, experimenting with materials specifically for outdoor environments. Like many others, they explored concrete, only to discover it wasn’t a suitable long-term solution.

“We did a lot of research, but it still wasn’t enough time to really understand that the product wasn’t as solid or accurate as we thought it was. So we went through that whole process and we learned very quickly that it wasn’t sustainable,” shares Jim. “There’s a responsibility that comes with putting products outdoors; you have to know they’re going to last.”

It was back to the drawing board. Trialling different materials, experiencing the same issues time and time again, they finally found the right solution: a combination of limestone and resin. A formula that has been refined over the years, it means Stonebaths can work with their suppliers to craft bathtubs that are incredibly robust and made for our environment: designed to hold heat, resist weathering and sit comfortably outdoors year-round.

There’s a responsibility that comes with putting products outdoors, you have to know they’re going to last.

Designs such as the limestone baths Bayley and Cora, Toka Lite Justina and the Hugi ranges have been making their way into homes, hotels and boutique stays across the country and are now an integral part of the boutique accommodation experience, with handmade copper soaking tubs also beloved for home outdoor bath areas. 

In the Whitsundays, a tropical escape has been created where three Bayley outdoor baths are nestled into the idyllic property for guests. Sculptural and durable with a tactile finish, they bring a spa-like experience while remaining surrounded by nature. Further north, 13 Toka Light Justina outdoor baths in rich matte black will be awaiting guests at a new luxury eco resort when it opens later this year.

An open-air bathing experience has also been created at DSTNTN stays in Byron Bay and the Yarra Valley. Thoughtfully curated to encourage rest, connection and reconnection with nature, outdoor baths are a defining part of every stay, inviting guests to slow down. 

For those in Sydney, Coogee Bay Intercontinental recently reopened with Toka Lite Silvia round baths on the balconies, creating a serene experience, and in New Zealand, the Coronet Ridge Resort Queenstown refurbishment features the Hugi B008 and Justina baths, where indulging in a bath on the balcony also comes with stunning views.

Each setting may be different, but they all welcome the same experience: a moment to sit, take in your surroundings and think about nothing else. For accommodation providers, they are more than an add-on. Outdoor baths are becoming a design decision, turning stays into retreats that guests are increasingly seeking.

With more than a decade dedicated to research and development in outdoor baths, Stonebaths has helped define what an exterior bath needs to be: durable, sculptural and comfortable, somewhere to experience the elements and offer moments of indulgence.