The moment I stepped inside SOL Elements, it felt like I’d crossed into another realm—one where the air is cooler, time moves slower, and the outside world politely waits beyond the rainforest.
The new elemental bathhouse sits atop a lake at Tamborine Mountain Glades, the curved timber building seemingly floating above the water, ringed by subtropical rainforest alive with the sound of ducks, distant kookaburras, and the occasional splash of a turtle.
This isn’t just a day spa. This is Australia’s first ‘floating’ elemental bathhouse—an adults-only nature retreat inspired by the four elements, designed to reset you from the inside out, without a single phone in sight (yes, it’s a device-free sanctuary).
“Every detail has been considered, every element crafted with intention, to create something we believe hasn’t been seen before in the Australian wellness space,” co-founder Russell Raven explains. “SOL is quite literally, our heart and soul.”
Come with me as I step inside SOL Elements for the first time.
SOL Elements Design
The design alone could be worth the visit. Conceived by husband-and-wife duo Russell and Shae Raven and realised with the design team at Design Artisan Co, SOL’s form is circular, echoing the lake it sits on. Beneath that, though, is a more symbolic shape: a hexadecagon— 16 sides in sacred geometry—representing a bridge between earth and the divine.
Inside SOL Elements, the first thing that catches my eye is the Yin Yang Zen Garden in the open-air central courtyard, with raked stones and nomo grass spiralling around an about-to-bloom Eastern Red Bud tree. Shae tells me it’s a symbol of balance, masculinity and femininity and the seasons of life.
Image Credit: SOL Elements | Timothy Birch
Once I’d soaked up the Ying Yang garden, the Yakisugi cladding—traditional charred Japanese cedar—really caught my attention. Lining the internal space and SOL’s two private suites, Russell spent a month hand-burning every plank under the guidance of master craftsman Kenji Nishishita.
“Having the opportunity to spend a week with Kenji San, learning his family’s tradition of Yakisugi, changed my life,” Russell says. “His appreciation for the small moments slowed me down enough to take a breath amidst the madness of this project.” Each piece is unique, dark and textured, giving the space a sense of timeless gravitas.
Even the fixtures have a story; the bronze and slate finishes come from ABI Interiors’ soon-to-be-released Antique Collection, giving the interiors a natural, lived-in elegance.
The Bathhouse
My journey started at the Earth Lab botanical scrub bar, where a lush living wall frames a four-metre ironbark slab lined with hand-carved bowls. Here, you can mix your own scrub from a spread of ingredients including Australian sea salt, hibiscus flowers, chamomile flower, coffee grounds, raw brown sugar, spirulina, calendula petals. This is designed to invigorate you for the bathing ahead, but I love that there aren't specific protocols here; flow as you like through the space and create your own ritual based on how you feel.
From there, the elemental bathing unfolded: three outdoor magnesium thermal pools (38°C) under the open sky, two bracing (read: freezing) 12°C cold plunges, and two detoxifying magnesium float caves.
Image Credit: SOL Elements | Timothy Birch
But that’s not all. The cedarwood sauna offers a glass-faced view straight across the centre of the lake, the silent steam room with a floor-to-ceiling glass window hums gently with herbal vapour as you gaze over the lake, and the spacious Himalayan salt cave glows like an ember-lit grotto.
In the centre of it all, a submerged outdoor firepit crackles softly. It’s not just a design feature; it’s a gathering place, where connection is encouraged, whether with yourself or others. With a strict limit of 30 guests in the communal area at one time, the entire space feels intimate and unhurried.
Image Credit: SOL Elements | Timothy Birch
Private Suites
For something even more secluded, SOL has two private suites, one of which is dog-friendly. Mine came with its own thermal mineral bath on the balcony, an indoor infrared sauna, an ice bath, panoramic lake views, and a fully stocked Earth Lab station with volcanic mud masks and botanical scrubs.
Image Credit: SOL Elements | Timothy Birch
There were non-alcoholic beverages chilled in the wellness mini bar, and a tea station by Cloud Hidden featuring ceremonial blends like ‘Resonance’ white tea for clarity and cooling, and ‘Transcendence’ red tea for focus and energy.
“Guests will find nature everywhere they look – including the brands we have partnered with to deliver the SOL experience such as Cloud Hidden & TeaGood for our herbal teas, “ says Shae.
Sipping tea while submerged in the thermal mineral bath, listening to kookaburras and watching the sun set over the lake…this might be the closest I’ve come to an actual reset button.
Alchemy Spa Rituals
While the bathing alone could have been the highlight, guests can also dive deeper into the private Alchemy Spa Rituals. The menu blends energetic, alternative, and traditional healing in six bespoke treatment offerings including hot stone and aromatic massages, scalp treatments, facials and more.
Image Credit: SOL Elements | Timothy Birch
While I didn’t have the chance to indulge in a spa ritual—yet, I say—Shae recommended the Earthing Immersion for my next visit. It’s an Australian hot and cool stone and sound journey using stones from remote Australian regions gathered with permission from Indigenous Elders.
The team have sourced Mookaite from Western Australia, Dreamtime stone from the Northern Territory, Green Marble from the Pilbara and more. The experience is designed around connecting the body, mind and spirit to the land’s ancient energy.
The SOL Ethos
What struck me most about SOL Elements wasn’t just the jaw-dropping design or the impressive facilities—it was the clear ethos of creating genuine wellness woven through everything.
Image Credit: SOL Elements | Timothy Birch
“We are firm believers that immersive self-care rituals can provide a rich, soul-deep kind of wellness that lingers long after you leave,” Shae tells me. And she’s right; even hours later, I felt as if something in me had shifted.
From the locally blended herbal teas to the Yakisugi walls, from the 16-sided sacred geometry to the restorative, device-free quiet, every detail at SOL Elements feels intentional, elemental, and deeply human.
SOL isn’t just a bathhouse. It’s an invitation to stop rushing, start noticing, and reconnect with the grounding beauty of nature.
And honestly? I can’t wait to go back.
SOL Elements: What You Need To Know
When does it open: SOL Elements officially opens to the public on Friday 15 August.
What are the opening hours: SOL is open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 10pm Friday to Saturday.
How can I book: You can book online here.
How to get there: Located at Tamborine Mountain Glades, Tamborine Mountain Rd &, Cedar Creek Falls Rd, Tamborine Mountain QLD 4272. Approximately 50 minutes from central Gold Coast and Brisbane.
Where to stay: I recommend staying onsite at Tamborine Mountain Glades. They've got an incredible array of accommodation for all needs, including rainforest suites (with lovely outdoor rainforest showers), luxurious dog-friendly glamping tents, self-contained lodges, caravan and camping options.
What else to do: Since you're already at Tamborine Mountain Glades and Thunderbird Park, make sure to check out their huge range of experiences. If you're after a nature fix, you can explore the rainforest and creekside walking trails; or if you're keen for adventure there's the TreeTop Challenge, Thunderegg Crystal Mine, a zipline and DIG IT, Australia's first mini excavator park for little ones.
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