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Visitors watch the sunrise at Bronte Baths, an outdoor ocean pool in Sydney, Australia. The photo is unrelated to the article. /EPA-Yonhap

Communal bathing is rapidly gaining popularity in Australia, particularly among younger generations, as a form of "digital detox" that allows people to relax in public bathhouses and saunas while socializing with others.

Australian newspaper The Courier-Mail reported Saturday that communal bathing, a long-established practice in parts of Europe and Asia, is emerging as a new wellness lifestyle among Australians. 

Mineral Bathhouse, which recently opened in central Adelaide, South Australia, has attracted more than 2,000 bookings since its launch. Visitors use the facility for a variety of purposes, including romantic dates and social gatherings with friends.

Melbourne City Baths, a public bathing facility in Melbourne, first opened in 1860 and has remained in operation for more than 160 years. The complex was originally established to prevent typhoid infections associated with bathing in the polluted Yarra River.

The facility initially featured slipper baths, or freestanding bathtubs, and later added a Jewish ritual bath known as a mikvah and Turkish-style baths. 

Communal bathing in Australia is believed to have a history stretching back thousands of years. Indigenous Australians traditionally bathed in rock pools, waterholes and wetlands, regarding both freshwater and seawater as important cultural, spiritual and agricultural resources.

Tom Iasiello, founder of Mineral Bathhouse, said modern consumers, constantly exposed to digital stimulation from smartphones and other devices, are increasingly seeking genuine connections in the offline world.

He explained that sharing a sauna or taking a cold plunge together naturally encourages meaningful conversations and helps people form closer bonds.

Iasiello said visitors from a wide range of age groups and backgrounds are incorporating communal bathing into their weekly routines as a way to relax and find peace of mind.

Anthony Simonetta, managing director of XtraClubs, a wellness services provider in New South Wales (NSW), said millennials account for the largest share of the company's visitors.

Simonetta explained that not only Generation Z but also millennials, who face numerous everyday responsibilities and stresses, are increasingly turning to baths and saunas for relaxation.

He said Australia's traditional drinking-centered social culture is rapidly shifting toward activities that promote both physical health and mental well-being.

Exercise physiologist Veronika Larisova said modern consumers face greater stress from environmental pressures than previous generations, creating an unprecedented demand for physical and mental recovery.

She described communal bathhouses as an excellent cultural alternative that allows people to unwind and focus fully on themselves and those around them without relying on alcohol.

                                                                                                            Lee Dae-won