Australia has embraced sauna culture. It’s time to do it naked
The author argues that Australia should adopt the European practice of nude sauna bathing to improve hygiene and cultural authenticity. The piece suggests that current mandatory swimsuit policies are prudish and hinder the benefits of sauna culture.
Why it matters
It highlights shifting cultural norms regarding public nudity and wellness practices in Australia.
‘Australians cannot be that squeamish about flesh, surely? We’re slathered across beaches wearing Speedos and string bikinis.’ ‘Australians cannot be that squeamish about flesh, surely? We’re slathered across beaches wearing Speedos and string bikinis.’ Australian lifestyle Australia has embraced sauna culture. It’s time to do it naked Kate Hennessy With new saunas popping up apace, getting our gear off should be normalised. Sweating into towels feels more hygienic than a mandatory swimsuit
Do as the Germans do, I say. Or the rational Scandinavians, where saunas originate. In both places, even in mixed gender rooms, saunas are done naked.
Australia’s enthusiasm for saunas is still rising. In the five years to June 2026, Australian Google searches for “sauna” increased from about 120,000 a month to over 500,000.
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