Sunshine Coast hinterland igloo retreat offers sauna and cold plunge

An igloo-shaped holiday retreat in the Sunshine Coast hinterland is offering guests an unusual getaway, with a private sauna, a cold plunge and a shower built into a tree trunk, all set among forest scenery.

Owner Holly Kinnear spoke about the project on Channel Seven's Sunrise program. She said she and her husband first considered a cottage or shed-style home, but felt the landscape called for something softer with more curvature. Ms Kinnear said she has long been a fan of curved architecture and the couple wanted a design that sat comfortably within its surroundings.

Ms Kinnear described the tree shower as one of her favourite features, alongside the ice bath and sauna. She said the ice bath and sauna are also popular with guests, who often do not want to leave once they are in.

The igloo is made from hebel blocks, a type of lightweight concrete block. Ms Kinnear said the builders cut each block individually to achieve the curve as the walls rise. A radial arm fixed in the middle of the floor guided the shape, and each level had to set before the next was added, eventually forming the roof. She said the structure holds itself up.

Finding a builder was difficult, according to Ms Kinnear. Several were interested, but the design was new to them and either the price was too high or the fit did not feel right. She said a project like this needs builders who can visualise the finished result. The team she eventually found had not built anything similar before but were willing to take it on.

Ms Kinnear said she had registered as an owner-builder and was prepared to do the work herself if no one else would, but quickly realised that was not realistic. She described the project as extremely challenging.