Your togs (bathing suit) and a water bottle to stay hydrated.

We provide one towel per guest; you’re welcome to bring an extra if you like a separate towel for sauna vs. plunge.

Our wharf building includes: changing rooms, lockers for valuables, a hair-drying station, and a water refilling station.

Watershed features two handcrafted Finnish-style saunas built on a floating pontoon on Queenstown's lakefront: a larger sauna on the south end for up to 14 guests, and a smaller sauna on the north end for up to 6 guests.

Inside each sauna, temperatures sit around 80°C, with heat maintained by opening doors as briefly as possible.

A seperate 'cool' room between the sauna and the outside deck lets you hang your jacket, leave your locker key and stash your phone before stepping into the heat. You can relax in this room on the bench seat and relax between the heat and cold plunge.

Harvia “Autodose” buttons – from one of the world’s leading Finnish sauna brands – pour measured water onto the stones to create generous löyly (steam) and deepen the heat.

Saunas are cleaned and reset between each session.

All sessions are 60 minutes sauna and plunge on the floating pontoon, with changing time either side for a total of 75 minutes. If the group before you have left early, we will do our best to get you down to the sauna as soon as we can and give you a few extra minutes whenever possible! Come in your togs for more time on the pontoon!

Check in at reception on St Omer Wharf Queenstown, where you’ll be welcomed and briefed by our team.

Get changed in the wharf building and store your belongings in secure lockers.

Move through rounds of heat and cold: time in the sauna, cool-down on the deck or inside the 'cool rooms' which divide the sauna from the outside. In addition to our plunge pools, we offer cold immersion with our glacial waterfall buckets and showers, which feature reticulated lake water directly from the lake below. You can choose which method of cold immersion is right for you.

Some guests chase big endorphin hits with multiple plunges; others prefer a gentler rhythm with more time relaxing on the outdoor and indoor benches. It’s your session, your pace.

Each sauna has its own plunge pool – a void on the pontoon that gives you direct access to Lake Whakatipu.

Stainless-steel ladders in each pool provide safe and easy access in and out of the water.

You’re encouraged to experience a full cold plunge, but it’s never compulsory. For an alternate experience, you can use the pull-handle glacial waterfall bucket or shower instead, which uses water from the lake at the same temperature.

Freshwater glacial showers and pull-handle waterfal buckets using reticulated lake water are available on the pontoon.

They’re perfect between sauna rounds, before a plunge, or as a quick alternative if you don’t want full immersion.

Soap and bathing products are strictly prohibited. Nothing should go into the lake except your sweat and a bit of lake water.

Lake Whakatipu is naturally crystal clear and cold, which makes it ideal for contrast therapy.

Typical temperatures: around 13–14°C in summer, and around 7–8°C in winter.

We operate with deep respect for the lake environment and follow all council requirements to help keep the water as pristine as possible.

Watershed is designed around the hot–cold cycle of contrast therapy: alternating time in the hot sauna with exposure to cold water and cool air.

Benefits associated with contrast therapy include stimulated circulation and support for the vascular and lymphatic systems, reduced inflammation and improved muscle recovery, support for detoxification processes, and improved mood, stress relief and better sleep.

Most guests finish their session feeling lighter, clearer and deeply relaxed.

Watershed is located on a custom-built floating pontoon moored at St Omer Wharf, 110 Beach Street, Queenstown, New Zealand.

You’ll check in and change in the wharf building on shore, then walk a short gangway down to the saunas and plunge pools on the lake, with uninterrupted views across Lake Whakatipu and the surrounding mountains.

There is free parking along the Esplanade or paid via the Man Street carpark about a 4 minute walk away.

You can book from an intimate sauna moment to a full takeover of the pontoon. Both saunas have the same mountain view.

North Sauna (up to 6 guests): ideal for solo sessions, couples, and close friends.

South Sauna (up to 14 guests): great for groups, team sessions and celebrations with a wellness edge.

Full "Watershed Takeover" of the pontoon (up to 20 guests): both saunas together for retreats, special occasions, and private wellness events.

For bespoke packages – from sunrise sessions to curated group experiences – we’re happy to tailor something with you.

Watershed can host small celebrations, corporate groups and off-sites, and wellness and breathwork sessions, retreats, or guided experiences.

For enquiries about events and full-pontoon hire, please email manager@watershedsaunas.com.

Please note that during sauna sessions we are an alcohol-free environment.

We are launching with introductory pricing of $65 per person for shared sessions. Private sessions are $325 (North Sauna, max 6 pax) and $745 (South Sauna, max 14 pax)

We offer multipass options for those who want to use Watershed on a more regular basis.

There is free parking along the Esplanade. The closest carpark is the Man Street Carpark, about a 4 minute walk away, with access from Shotover Street.

The gangway and pontoon platform are wheelchair accessible.

Due to the extreme heat and safety considerations, we unfortunately cannot accommodate wheelchairs inside the saunas or cool rooms.

Are Watershed Saunas open in the rain?
Yes. We operate in most weather conditions, and sauna in the rain is not just allowed — it’s encouraged. Some of our best sessions happen when the weather turns wild and the saunas are glowing.

Does the floating sauna move?
The sauna pontoon is securely fixed to piles, but when Lake Whakatipu gets choppy you may feel gentle movement. This is completely normal and part of the floating sauna experience.

What happens if it’s very windy?
Because Watershed floats, strong south-westerly winds can occasionally make the lake a little bumpier.

Do sessions ever get cancelled due to weather?
In rare cases where conditions are unsafe or simply not enjoyable, we may cancel a session. If that happens, we’ll contact you to reschedule into the next available session. If that doesn’t work for you, you’ll receive a full refund.

Children

We welcome children aged 12 and over in our shared sessions, provided guests aged 12–17 are accompanied by an adult.

For younger children, you are welcome to book a private session. Children of any age are permitted in private sessions and are counted as one person each. Please note that their safety is your responsibility as we do not have lifeguards on duty. We also advise that children do not stay in the sauna for long periods, however, there is a cool room available where they can play.

Privacy

We respect that sauna can be a personal and mindful experience.

Private bookings can reasonably expect privacy within their sauna and warm room.

However, we can’t guarantee total privacy due to the glass, the open lakeside setting, and some visibility from the wharf.

Guests must remain in appropriate swimwear at all times.

We ask the guest don't film others in shared sessions without their explicit permission.

Food & Drink

Only water is allowed on the pontoon during your session.

No food or other drinks may be brought onto the sauna platform.

If you’d like to eat before or after, there are picnic tables on St Omer Wharf and plenty of nearby cafés and restaurants in central Queenstown.

Alcohol

Alcohol, saunas and swimming do not mix.

Please arrive sober and save any drinking for after your session (and off the pontoon).

For safety reasons, Watershed may refuse access to anyone who appears intoxicated.

Pets

Pets are not permitted on the pontoon.

Our staff are unable to mind animals on shore while you are in session.

Rules

Always sit on your towel inside the sauna benches, not directly on the timber.

No diving is allowed at any time.

Use the ladders provided for entering and exiting the plunge pools. Alternately, you may step into the lake off the bottom timber step of each plunge pool.

No running, jumping, yelling or unsafe / disruptive behaviour on the pontoon.

As we are a floating structure always use care when moving about, walk carefully and use the grab rails and balustrades provided.

Watershed is an alcohol-free experience during sauna sessions.

If you are pregnant, have heart issues or other significant health conditions, please consult your doctor before using saunas or cold plunges.

We understand that plans can change. For single sessions and private bookings, cancellations made more than 24 hours before your session are eligible for a full refund or transfer to another date. Booking changes can be requested up to 12 hours before your session, subject to availability.

Cancellations made within 24 hours of your session, or failure to attend, will incur a 100% cancellation fee. However, if you contact us and we are able to fill your spot, we may be able to offer a refund or credit at our discretion.

Please note that entire pontoon buyouts are subject to separate cancellation terms, which will be outlined in your booking agreement.