Best Outdoor Sauna in Victoria: Melbourne Buying Guide
For a Melbourne or Victorian home choose a traditional sauna that handles cold wet winters. Plan the base, access and power for your site and pick the seating you need before any heater upgrade.
Melbourne courtyards, the Surf Coast and regional blocks all suit an outdoor sauna, and a traditional sauna is at its best on a cold winter night. Here is how to choose one for a Victorian home.
Every Victorian site is different
Conditions change a lot across Victoria. A sheltered inner-city courtyard, a windy coastal block and a frosty regional property each need a slightly different plan. Start with your own site and its exposure, access and power before you compare saunas.
Courtyard, coast or country
- Melbourne courtyard: check the footprint, the access path for the delivery crate and the distance to your switchboard.
- Coastal block: salt air and wind add wear, so look for stainless fittings and keep up the exterior oiling schedule.
- Regional property: cold nights mean longer heat-up times, so a heater you can schedule from your phone is worth considering.
What to look for in the build
Look past the photos to the build. Every Nova Sauna uses full-length 100% Canadian timber with no finger joints, 38mm walls thermally modified for 72 hours, 316 stainless steel fittings and SAUNAPROTECT™ weatherproof bitumen roof shingles. Our outdoor sauna buying guide explains why each one matters.
Choose the size first, then the heater
Pick the size for how many people will use the sauna at once. Then choose the heater.
- Sauna Lite (2 person): 1750mm long, 1290mm wide and 2060mm high
- Sauna Cabin (4 person): 2246mm long, 1740mm wide and 2386mm high
- Sauna Cube (6 person): 2080mm long, 1800mm wide and 2060mm high
- Sauna Lodge (8 person): 2306mm long, 2300mm wide and 2459mm high
The 2 person Sauna Lite uses a 6kW Harvia or 4.5kW HUUM heater. The 4, 6 and 8 person models use 9kW heaters. Upgrading later means replacing the heater, so choose the controls you want from the start.
Getting the most from a Victorian winter
A Nova Sauna reaches 85°C in about 40 minutes in typical conditions and a cold winter night can add to that. A heater with a control panel and WiFi lets you schedule the sauna so it is ready when you are. After each session dry the sauna with the door closed and then air it out.
Your practical checklist
- Measure the footprint and the delivery path
- Prepare a flat, level and stable base
- Check with your local council on any approval needed
- Book a licensed electrician to hardwire the heater
- Choose seating first and heater controls second
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Nova Sauna take to heat up in a Melbourne winter?
A Nova Sauna reaches 85°C in about 40 minutes in typical conditions. A cold winter night can add to that, so many owners schedule the heater from their phone.
Which heater suits a Victorian home?
The Sauna Lite uses a 6kW Harvia or 4.5kW HUUM heater and the larger models use 9kW heaters. A control panel and WiFi let you set the exact temperature and start the sauna remotely.
Do I need approval for an outdoor sauna in Victoria?
It depends on your council and site. Check with your local council before you order.
