Altona is now home to one of the best places to escape the wintry chill with the opening of Melbourne’s first public Finnish sauna.
The Finnish Society of Melbourne, based at Finnish Hall in Pier Street, has built the only sauna outside of a gym in Melbourne’s west.
Community members previously had to travel to the Japanese bathhouse in Collingwood for the closest experience.
Society chairman and Finnish sauna expert Jori Tossavainen said interested locals could book the sauna, which comfortably seats about five or six people.
“I have a sauna at least four days a week, sometimes every day,” he said.
“I find it very relaxing when you get really tired muscles.
“It’s very good for helping you to unwind and sleep a lot better.
“I think it’s the only way to get properly away from the lactic acid that builds up in your muscles.
“The sauna creates a very deep sweat and that’s bringing all the toxins out.
“It’s good for the skin and good for the mind and in every respect I think it’s the best place in the world.”
