This story is part of the October 11 edition of Good Weekend. See all 14 stories .

For my birthday this year, I unknowingly submersed myself in a trend – by visiting a new bathhouse. Outside, a chill wind had transformed the lofty NSW Blue Mountains village of Blackheath into something more akin to “Bleakheath”, so cosy Aqua Ignis was a welcome respite. Red-cheeked and replenished, I practically floated down the mountains towards home.

Turns out I hadn’t really needed to leave the city to find hot pools, cold plunges, saunas and steamy times. That’s because, when I wasn’t looking, urban bathing – communal wellness, really – became a thing. Soon afterwards, I decide to wriggle back into my swimmers to meet a friend at Soak Bathhouse in Sydney’s Alexandria. Even early on a Monday even

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