Sydney’s Ocean Pools
When it comes to iconic swimming spots, few come as big as Sydney’s collection of ocean pools. But it’s not just the city’s inhabitants who love them. Many international visitors are enthralled too. “Sydney’s big collection of ocean pools is unique — there aren’t too many other places that have them,” says Dr Marie-Louise McDermott, an expert in the area. “They’re all very beautiful pools and I think that it’s one of the things that makes Sydney special.”
It was a summer’s day in early 2022, and I had just walked out of Maroubra Beach, which is a must-see tourist destination. There was a crowd around the Bondi pool, so I decided to join them and take a dip. While the waters were chilly, they were refreshing, and I could see why so many people like to swim here.
The pool was built in the 1930s as Australia came out of depression and just two years before Sydney would host the 1938 Commonwealth Games. It became a national landmark, with a who’s who of swimmers slamming the lanes in the lead-up to the event.
While a number of the city’s most famous pools have closed in recent years, some remain open for lap swimming and are popular with families. Others are undergoing major refurbishments, and some are even being converted into cultural spaces. But the future of the pools is a hotly debated issue.
Currently, there are four main pools in Sydney: Bondi, Bronte, Maroubra and Coogee. But with the government slashing council budgets, many of these pools are facing the prospect of closure.
For a long time, the NSW government has had plans to turn most of these ocean pools into cultural, fitness and health facilities. This includes adding lifeguards, improving lighting and increasing public use. However, these plans are now on hold.
In a bid to boost tourism, the state government is also looking at the possibility of turning Bronte and Maroubra into surf-lifesaving centres. But some locals are worried that this will be a waste of money.
Despite the controversy surrounding the future of the pool, it remains one of the most popular destinations for swimmers. It’s a great place to relax, take in the view and swim for free.
A lot has changed since the 1930s. But the pool’s legacy will live on, especially for those who enjoy it as a place to exercise and socialise.
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Image via Getty Images.
Earlier this month, the city’s lord mayor Clover Moore announced her plan to spend $60m on harbour baths at Pyrmont, Elizabeth Bay, Barangaroo and Rushcutters Bay. Her proposal was met with outrage by those seeking to unseat her in the coming election, while the first Aboriginal lord mayoral candidate, Yvonne Weldon, called it “a load of absolute bollocks”. However, the mayor has since revised her proposal.