A place of their own: Why women-only environments are thriving

2 days ago 6

By Sara Mulcahy

October 5, 2025 — 9.00am

Women-only spaces have always been a thing. Some are so societally entrenched that no one bats an eyelid. Think women’s health services, bathrooms, schools and shelters. Others, like gyms and workspaces, are a more recent addition. And then there are events such as the Ladies Lounge at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart, that cause quite a stir.

Historically, many cultures have embraced the concept of female seclusion to provide places or activities that are safe, supportive or empowering.

When Amy Hart and Crystal Wells decided to start A Place to Pause, a series of Victoria-based women-only reading retreats, in 2024, it was simply something they wanted for themselves: a place to read with no guilt and no pressure.

McIver’s Ladies Baths in Coogee were rebuilt in the 1920s and have remained a popular spot for swimmers.

“We were both juggling busy lives, and while we always had great intentions to read during our downtime, the pile of laundry or the demands of work often called louder than our books,” says Amy.

“Our focus on women came quite naturally. Mums, professionals or retirees – the common thread was a struggle to give themselves time and permission to read without the distraction of everyday life.

“The retreats were never designed to exclude men, but rather to respond to what we were hearing most clearly from women in our own lives.”

While discrimination based on sex is outlawed in Australia under the Sex Discrimination Act, women-only spaces are permitted under certain conditions.

“Basically, women-only spaces require an exemption from the Sex Discrimination Act and the state law (Equal Opportunity Act in Victoria), which both prohibit discrimination based on sex and gender identity,” says Beth Gaze, an expert in anti-discrimination law and professorial fellow at the University of Melbourne law school.

She cites Fernwood Fitness Studios as a women-only business that is built on an exemption under the Acts.

“Their argument was that women would not use a mixed-sex gym because of fear of being ogled and excluded from equipment by men. That succeeded in the 1990s, and has carried on ever since. But some groups have not been successful in their applications for women-only events.

“It’s a bit of a mess,” opines Gaze. “It should be sorted out, but politicians can only see lost votes and trouble, so they are not in a hurry to go there.”

In the meantime, here are some more places to try if you fancy some “she time”.

Where to swim

McIver’s Ladies Baths at Coogee Beach in Sydney is Australia’s only ocean rock pool reserved for women and children (boys up to 13) to bathe, relax and learn water safety skills and how to swim. It opened in 1876, when women were barred from using most public pools, except for during short periods of allotted time.

For more than a century, things went on just so, until a local man launched proceedings with the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board in 1995, claiming that his exclusion amounted to discrimination. He lost his case, and the pool was granted an exemption under the Anti-Discrimination Act.

“Coogee women’s baths provides a rare sanctuary where women of all ages, cultures and backgrounds can feel safe, welcome, and free to enjoy the ocean without judgement or intrusion,” says Randwick and Coogee Ladies Swimming Association president Alex Bowen. “For over 150 years, the baths have given women a place to swim with dignity and privacy. Protecting this women-only space ensures future generations inherit the same freedom.”

McIver’s Ladies Baths provide an environment for women and children to swim, cool down and relax in peace.

Where to dance

In November 2022, friends and colleagues Sarah Wills and Lise Carlaw hired a room at a bowls club in Brisbane and danced the night away with 80 BFFs. Since then, Disco Club has expanded into Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and beyond, bringing sell-out pop-up events to women who just want to enjoy a night of dancing and having fun with their mates.

“We had no idea it would grow and scale to the sellout phenomenon it is now,” says Sarah. “We even sold out Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion. I mean, pinch me!

“Disco Club is everything we miss about clubbing, and nothing we don’t. We’ve seen first-hand, over and over again, the collective joy of women of all ages coming together in a happy, safe, judgment-free space. Women continually tell us it’s not just about the music – it’s dance floor therapy.”

Disco Club founded by Sarah Wills and Lise Carlaw has proven popular with women who just want to dance.

Where to work

In her 1929 essay A Room of One’s Own, Virginia Woolf argued that women need a private space to write and express themselves freely. Based in Melbourne’s Southbank, One Roof is a purpose-built community for women entrepreneurs and business owners. What started life as a women-focused co-working space has now gone online and supports women across every state.

“The inspiration was simple, and urgent,” say co-founder Frances Goh. “Talented women were building great companies without equal access to networks and resources.

“Women-only spaces create psychological safety and speed. They also reduce the invisible tax of bias, which frees up energy for execution. Members describe One Roof as a place where momentum feels shared rather than solitary and they are supported by an incredible community of awesome women.”

Where to travel

Women are estimated to account for two-thirds of the global traveller population, many of them travelling solo or in groups with other women. When Hayley Morris founded Sisterhood Women’s Travel 20 years ago, she was a pioneer in the Australian field.

“We went to VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) to legally run women-only tours under an exemption from the Equal Opportunity Act, based on a community need. We no longer run under the exemption as there are many companies now promoting women-only, but in the early days, it certainly gave us some credibility,” she says.

“There are many advantages of a women-only travel experience – safety and comfort, a sense of community and belonging, and encouragement to get out of your comfort zone. Over the years, we’ve had many women from DV backgrounds who have travelled and regained their wings, and I’m so proud of this.”

Where to work out

Empowa Fitness launched in 2014 in Erskine Park NSW with a vision to create a safe, supportive space for women of diverse cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Having a women-only gym “removes intimidation and distraction, giving women the freedom to train in a supportive environment”, says co-founder Dev (yes, he’s a man) Krishna. “It also allows us to design programs specifically for women, while fostering real connection and community that would otherwise prove difficult in a traditional male-dominant gym.

“Members describe Empowa as a second home where they’ve gained strength, confidence, and friendships.”

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