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This luxe new day spa has just opened in Sydney’s East

Reset is offering a range of luxurious treatments in a design-led space in Double Bay.

As the end of the year approaches, it’s fair to say that many of us are in need of some R&R. Sydneysiders are in luck, with luxe day spa Reset now open in Double Bay, offering a range of treatments to help us slow down and feel revitalised during this especially busy season.

Unlike the growing trend for expansive, communal bathhouses, the aptly named wellness studio is less public bathhouse and more private residence. Reset focuses on intimate spaces designed for individuals or small groups, fitted with traditional cedar saunas, ice baths, a halotherapy salt cave and vitamin C-infused showers.

A minimalist reception area of a spa
Reset invites Sydneysiders to wind down.

“This has been a true passion project for our team, designed around the traditional therapies we know and trust," shares Creative Director of Reset. Melissa Schrumpf.

At the heart of the spa is the signature Circuit. Designed for up to five guests per session, it involves spagoers enjoying a traditional sauna, ice bath, a eucalyptus steam room, a magnesium spa and a vitamin C shower.

More serene still is the red travertine and Himalayan salt-lined Halotherapy Cave, which mimics a natural salt cave and is designed to encourage meditation and improve respiratory and skin health. 

A travertine and Himalayan salt-lined Halotherapy Cave.
Find serenity in the travertine Himalayan salt-lined Halotherapy Cave.

LED Light Therapy & Treatments are available in private treatment rooms, while Private Contrast Therapy blends sauna, ice bath, and a vitamin C shower in a private suite for one to three guests.

Achy legs after a long-haul flight or workout? Compression Therapy is also available and is designed to encourage circulation in your legs, reduce inflammation, muscle pain and aches and increase your recovery time.

“At Reset, we believe in creating beautiful, considered spaces that feel as if you are at home," says Schrumpf. “Using natural and organic materials, we wanted to achieve a calm atmosphere with moments of personality."

A day spa with chequered flooring.
Reset treatments are designed to help guests feel revitalised.

Surface Gallery and artisan studio Natural Brick were called upon for the day spa’s minimalist fitout, which instantly soothes the senses. Throughout, you’ll find breccia stone reception counters, travertine-lined spas, chequered flooring, recycled-composite concrete sinks and walls of Himalayan salt blocks. Curved benches, custom French-wash colourways and chrome heritage details create a serene, elevated atmosphere that’s both contemporary and timeless.

A minimalist day spa
The day spa is minimalist and calming.

Whether it’s to treat yourself or to give a gift voucher to a loved one this holiday season, Reset invites us to pause, recharge and discover a new kind of luxury. 

Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and Chablis connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
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8 insider experiences to discover the offbeat in Newcastle

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Discover vibrant culture and creativity, gorgeous nature spots and more in lively Newcastle.

Newcastle/Muloobinba has a lot going for it beyond its big skies and beautiful beaches. The city’s creative types are now heading downtown, taking over and transforming warehouses and terraces to offer a more alternative vibe. From its nightlife to secret swimming spots, art to architecture, here’s our insider’s guide to Newcastle in New South Wales.

1. Learn to sail on Newcastle Harbour

The harbour has always shaped Newcastle, so it seems like the most obvious place to start your weekend. Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club offers a range of programs that provide instruction for both novice and experienced sailors. This is an inspired classroom that sets off past the Honeysuckle Foreshore up the Hunter River, with views towards a seemingly infinite vista of blue stretching to the horizon. It’s the perfect way to savour your time by the sea. Other water activities include surfing, swimming in one of the secret ocean baths or whale-watching with CoastXP .

Aerial view of Newcastle Harbour.
Join Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club’s programs. (Image: City of Newcastle)

2. Underground jazz scene

Follow the lively sound of the saxophone bubbling up to find The Underground . The popular basement-level bar, with its dim lighting and speakeasy aesthetic, schedules live jazz performances every Tuesday and Thursday. Newcastle is known around the country for supporting live music and this late-night New York-style jazz bar is, like the city itself, both approachable and sophisticated. For fans of live music, Queen’s Wharf Hotel , King Street Newcastle , Mad Poet and The Lucky Hotel are all popular pubs for their roster of live music.

 

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3. The city as a canvas   

The streets of Newcastle present like an outdoor art gallery , adding beauty to the everyday with large-scale works by artists such as Fintan Magee, Inari Meyers, Tom Henderson and Sophia Flegg. Hire a Flash E-bike and pedal around the streets to find treasures such as Bronte Naylor’s Mirror Ocean in Civic Square or Sky & Ocean at South Newcastle Beach Skate Park. You can also join Newy Tour Co.’s Discover Newcastle tour to explore city highlights, architectural gems and street art with an expert guide.

Friends take in Newcastle Street Art.
Admire stunning works of art displayed all around you. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. An artist’s view of Newcastle

There’s a real sense of optimism around Newcastle, stemming from its many grassroots art galleries and organisations. The city is home to an eclectic array of artists who gravitate toward different mediums; see their works on show at independent galleries such as The Lock-Up , which operated as a police station from 1861 until 1982, and Lighthouse Arts Newcastle in the light-filled cottages on Nobbys Head/Whibayganba. Stop by The Creator Incubator to see the Little and Big gallery spaces. Newcastle Art Gallery will soon reopen after a recent expansion, so keep an eye out.

5. Newcastle after dark

The small bars confetti’d around Newcastle are a sign of the times. Visitors to the compact city will find a concentration of bars within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail. The after-dark experience, which includes theatre and live music, is designed for visitors who are in search of the offbeat and want to celebrate the city’s creativity.  Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, the bars that dot most neighbourhoods will tempt you with everything from happy hour to their alt attitude. 

A bartender expertly crafting a drink, with a stunning library of spirits in the background.
Enjoy a night out at a lively bar. (Image: City of Newcastle)

6. Indulge in great gastronomy

Newcastle’s proximity to the Hunter Valley has helped establish it as a sophisticated getaway for gourmands with a passion for provenance. Dining options in the city are diverse, with everything from casual cafes to cantina-style Mexican eateries such as Antojitos , through to fine diners such as Flotilla and Jana Restaurant & Bar at QT Newcastle . Visit during Newcastle Food Month  to get a snapshot of the local culinary scene – you can take note of the many world-class restaurants and cafes that warrant a return visit. Humbug , Peregrin and Bistro Penny should also be on your radar.

The dining area at Flotilla in Newcastle NSW.
Savour a world-class dining experience at Flotilla. (Image: Flotilla)

7. Crystalbrook Kingsley

Crystalbrook Kingsley is another great example of Newcastle’s new wow factor.  Staying at the hotel – in the heart of the cultural centre – makes exploring a breeze, with vintage bikes for guests who want to check out the city streets on two wheels. The design-savvy Crystalbrook Collection reimagined the Roundhouse building while adhering to its ethos of sustainable luxury. The hotel is also a magnet for foodies, with the rooftop Roundhouse restaurant and cocktail bar, Romberg’s, two of the best spots in the city for wining and dining.

The Roundhouse by Crystalbrook Collection.
Step into the reworked Roundhouse by Crystalbrook. (Image: Crystalbrook Kingsley)

8. Newcastle’s creative side on show

Save the date for New Annual , a festival of art, music and ideas from 26 September – 5 October. The program is jam-packed with 10 days of art, culture and creativity. This year’s festival will celebrate the power art has to connect people. Expect to see a diverse program including music, theatre, workshops, and performances in iconic Newcastle locations. Visitors will find a concentration of events within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail.

Dancers performing gracefully, accompanied by a live orchestra.
Celebrate migration, community and belonging at New Annual.

Plan your next trip to offbeat Newcastle.