British pop star Gary Barlow and comedian Jason Manford recently visited Queenstown’s Watershed Sauna to film for the ITV travel series Gary Barlow’s Food & Wine Tour: New Zealand, according to business co-founder Dominic Bowden. The episode featured the pair taking a cold plunge into Lake Wakatipu after experiencing the floating contrast therapy haven, which opened in December 2025.
Inside Gary Barlow and Jason Manford’s Queenstown Sauna Visit
According to Bowden, production crews kept the celebrity visit under embargo until the episode aired. The creators designed Watershed Sauna to blend nature with contrast therapy, featuring cold-water immersion alongside heat sessions. “Both Gary and Jason were warm, funny, completely engaged and very happy to throw themselves into the experience,” Bowden says, noting that watching Barlow swim backstroke in Lake Wakatipu was a highlight.
Before arriving at the sauna, Barlow and Manford traveled through New Zealand in a Maui campervan. Their itinerary included jetboating in Queenstown, visiting Amisfield Winery, eating at Craggy Range in Hawke’s Bay, and attending a seafood barbecue hosted by chef Ben Bayly on Waiheke Island, according to production details.
Rapid Growth and High-End Tourism Recognition for Watershed Sauna
Watershed Sauna achieved significant tourism milestones shortly after launching. According to Bowden, the business earned Qualmark Gold certification and secured features in The New York Times twice and Conde Nast Traveler. The floating wellness facility draws high-profile visitors, including Zuru co-founder Nick Mowbray, professional golfers participating in the New Zealand Open, and members of the All Blacks rugby team.
Bowden operates the wellness venture alongside his fiancee Esther Cronin and business partner Andrew Glenn. The entrepreneurial team plans expansion events, including a pre-ski “Sauna rave” for Snow Machine music and ski festival influencers from Australia, alongside preparations for the Queenstown Marathon where Bowden and Cronin plan to run with their 500-member Wakatipu Plunge Club.
Pro Tip: Contrast therapy venues like Watershed require advance booking during peak tourism windows, such as the Queenstown Marathon and local ski festival dates. Visitors should confirm private or group session availability ahead of time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What TV show featured Gary Barlow and Jason Manford at Watershed Sauna?
The six-part ITV series Gary Barlow’s Food & Wine Tour: New Zealand featured the visit in its second episode, which aired on television screens in Britain.
Who founded Watershed Sauna in Queenstown?
Dominic Bowden, Esther Cronin, and Andrew Glenn launched the floating wellness facility in December 2025.
Which high-profile guests have visited Watershed Sauna?
According to Dominic Bowden, visitors have included musicians Gary Barlow and Jason Manford, entrepreneur Nick Mowbray, various golfers, and members of the All Blacks.
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