The Ancient Ritual Warming Australia’s Alpine Communities

There is something magic about the Ovens Valley in winter….aesthetically beautiful. 

Published June 2026, words Zilky photos Mandy Lamont

Clear sweet waters weave in and out alongside the townships and the snowcapped mountains of Buffalo, Feathertop and Hotham frame the walls of the narrow window of space, we call home. This beauty is then reflected with the many shades of green, as forest ferns and dense moss dance under the winter sun. Creating an ever changing lens of natural wonder. The winter days can feel crisp and dark and in some spots the sun won’t rise for hours. The valley quietens and the core community turn inward which is a contrast to the tops of the mountains this time of year. As they beam with excitement of the snow season at hand.

The cold settles in different down here. Guiding us to natural hibernation as we acknowledge the beauty of living within the four seasons. Many of the foundational houses were never built for these conditions. Funny, being one of the coldest regions! Think, old mining homes that see little sun, uninsulated walls and a chill that can creep into your bones. Well, this has certainly been my experience when I moved down the hill and left the luxurious warmth of living on top of the mountains. Where the infrastructure is conducive. So don’t let the pretty views of the mountains or the sparkling river flowing through my backyard fool you. It’s darn cold down ere’!

That’s where the sauna has become our saviour. A beautiful meeting place during these months. The yang to our yin. The fire to the ice. More than just warmth, it provides a place to feel deeply nourished. Sweat it out, have a laugh, and catch up with friends that usually don’t emerge until spring! For me, it is where I begin to feel human again, amongst the harshness of our alpine winter. An experience I relish once or twice every week and has enabled me to stay strong and healthy through the seasons.

“Humbled by the heat and held by the water.”  This is the feeling and mantra embodied when you step into a Haut Hutt sauna. There is something deeply primal engaged when you step into the heat and reconnect to the bare elements. Wood burning to create the fire, cold water running, crisp mountain air. And the rare occasion you are able to have your bare soles kiss the earth. Sauna culture is rising here in Australia. What may feel like a trend, in truth is an ancient ritual practiced for thousands of years. The modern sauna traces back to Finland. Where it has long been a daily ritual, used for cleansing, community, and even birth. Across cultures, from Nordic traditions to sweat lodges held by Indigenous peoples around the world. Heat has been used as a way to purify, restore, and reconnect, and not much has changed.

Haut Hutt offers bespoke, nature-based sauna experiences and operates across North East Victoria, based just outside of Bright. They have three distinct sauna setups, all Australian-made and beautifully crafted. With wellness at the forefront and no cost spared. The young family behind the experience are outdoor adventure lovers who value living consciously and staying well and healthy. They recognised the need for a sauna in the area and carefully researched to bring their idea to life. They are very special people, and you feel genuinely held and cared for during your session. You are not just another number, and often you will find yourself yarning away with one of them like old friends. This level of service and standard is a refreshing and welcomed addition to the community and visitors alike.

In the depths of winter, their mobile Juniper sauna is nestled in Mt Beauty. You can take a few steps from the sauna into the rushing Kiewa River while Mount Bogong stands steady in the background. The river here takes centre stage. Mesmerising the mind as you gaze through the large window of the Haut Hutt. One guest mentions, “I love this sauna as the river seems to wake up every cell in my body, the cold sure hits different in nature.”

Just outside of Bright in Porepunkah, the Mondo sauna and cold plunges sit with uninterrupted views of Mount Buffalo. Connected to the strength of the imposing mountain in front, and the fires that are kept inside and outside of the sauna. It’s a very grounding experience, once again the perfect frame to nature’s delights. Often there is hot tea on offer and some comfy camp chairs to relax and enjoy the view before, after, and during the session.

In the ‘between’ season, you will find the Paloma backyard setup. Tucked into a beautiful garden setting with the sounds of the Ovens River nearby. I recommend visiting this sauna as the autumn leaves fall, providing a magical backdrop of colour. Everything Haut Hutt does is done beautifully and with the highest intention for community, customer, and the health of all.

The practice of sauna is simple and powerful. Haut Hutt suggests basking in the heat for 15 to 20 minutes at around 80 to 95 degrees Celsius, then stepping into the shower to rinse off toxins. If you feel called to contrast therapy, you can jump into the cold plunge or river for one to three minutes. Their team encourages you to follow your own rhythm, no force, no ego.

The benefits ripple through the body in ways supported by modern research. Regular sauna use has been linked to improved cardiovascular health and heart function, in a way similar to moderate exercise. The deep heat increases circulation, bringing oxygen and nutrients through the body while helping muscles relax and recover. Perfect if you have spent the day on the slopes or training at altitude. Sweating supports the body’s natural detoxification pathways, while the contrast between hot and cold can strengthen the nervous system, building resilience and helping the body adapt to stress. Many people report improved sleep, reduced inflammation, and a clearer, more settled mind. Beyond the science, there is a quiet kind of euphoria and I always leave feeling stripped back and alive. Skin tingling from the cold, breath deeper, mind clearer, body lighter.

Humbled by the heat. Held by the water.

If you are yet to experienced a sauna before, maybe this is your moment to be curious. Whether it is a slow day off the mountain, easing tired muscles, or a longing for warmth in the winter (like myself), the sauna offers a simple return to nature, a reconnection to the nature, and a lovely reset for body, mind and spirit. Come and experience it for yourself and check out Haut Hutt or the other beautiful sauna ventures spread across the alpine areas of Australia.

Haut Hutt