The Sandcastle House, Pelican Point, Limestone Coast
The sauna and the wood-fired tub
Both sit on the edge of the beach and face the bay. The sauna runs all year. The tub is wood-fired from May to October and a cold plunge over summer.
The sauna
A timber sauna with a picture window and a glass door, both facing the water. There's a bucket and ladle for the stones.
- It's electric, so it runs in every season, fire bans included.
- Allow about 90 minutes to reach a good heat, and a bit longer on a windy day.
- One press of the dial starts a three-hour session.
- Sauna towels are supplied for sitting on.
- An outdoor shower is behind the sauna for rinsing off.
When you're done, leave the door open for an hour so it can cool and dry out.
The wood-fired tub
The tub sits on the gravel a few steps from the sand, facing the sunset. It's heated by a small wood fire in a cylinder at one end.
- Allow 45 minutes to fill it and about an hour to heat.
- Start the fire with kindling and a firelighter, then keep feeding it.
- Stir the water with your hand as it warms so the heat spreads.
- Check the temperature before you get in.
- Bring kindling and firelighters. Bunnings in Mount Gambier sells kindling.
Which months the fire can be lit
The tub runs on a real fire, so it can't be lit during fire danger season. In the Lower South East this season runs from 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027. It also can't be lit on a total fire ban day. The Country Fire Service sets the dates each year.
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Filled months are when the fire can be lit. The rest are cold plunge only.
Sauna, then a cold plunge
Over summer, some guests fill the tub cold and use it as a plunge after the sauna. The bay is a short walk away if you'd sooner use the sea.
