Cool off in One of the largest ocean pools in the southern hemisphere in Merewether Ocean Baths

The Merewether Ocean Baths are one of, if not the most popular swimming spots in the Newcastle, New South Wales. Sheltered from the waves and it’s ability to cater to all types, it provides a safe swimming spot for families with young children and experienced swimmers.

It’s situated within close proximity to beachside kiosks, cafes and pubs (all located within walking distance), it ticks all the boxes for most beach lovers.

History of the Baths

Built in 1935, the baths have undergone a series of upgrades and improvements, with the most recent being in 2014.

In 1936, the pool was deepened to make the bottom even. Years later, it had more rock removed as the council required rock for a road project, which the baths were able to provide.

In the years prior, the bath were filled by the tide, with the smaller pool being filled by overflow. The addition of a pump house meant that it was able to be filled and emptied when required.

Features

The ocean baths are made up of two large pools. Unlike Newcastle Ocean Baths, there is a shallower pool with a sandy bottom, suitable for children.

This pool is incredibly popular with local families with young children. It has a corner filled with sand, which is perfect young toddlers to play in, while also being shallow enough that they can splash around safely nearby.

The pool gets deeper the further you go towards the eastern pool, making it suitable for older children also.

The larger pool on the eastern side is one of the largest ocean pools in the southern hemisphere. The pool measures in at 100 metres by 50 metres.

The southern end is fitted with diving blocks and is popular with locals lap swimming. This pool is around 1.8m deep in some areas and more suited to confident swimmers.

Both pools are surrounded by concrete paths and are equipped with ramps, making access easy for children and adults alike.

Getting there

The baths are located off Henderson Parade, Merewether.

Parking can be a little tricky during busier times as there is limited parking available on Henderson Parade. There are a couple of disabled parking spaces closer to the baths on this street.

Alternative areas to park are along Frederick Street. To get to the baths from here you will need to walk down a steep set of stairs. While the view from there is stunning on the walk down, it’s not ideal with young children or for those with mobility issues.

There is another car park on Watkins Street, however this is a little bit more of a walk, albeit it’s mostly flat. This may be more suitable for those with children and is pram and beach cart friendly.

The path will also take you past Merewether Surf House or Blue Door Cafe if you’re wanting to stop by and get something to eat after your visit.

All parking near the baths is free.

Best time to visit

The Merewether Baths are open all year round and patrolled during warmer months.

The lifeguard hours for 2023 can be found below:
24 September 2022 to 23 April 2023 – 9am to 5.30pm
24 April 2023 to 23 September 2023 – 8am to 4.30pm

The baths are suitable to swim at during most tides, however during certain weather events they can become unsafe and may be closed in such cases.

The baths are closed once a week for maintenance and cleaning. This generally occurs on a Thursday though is subject to change if weather or surf conditions aren’t favourable.

Cleaning schedules can be found on the Newcastle Council website.

Amenities

The pavilion building located at the baths houses showering (with access to hot showers), toilet and change room facilities, which close at 7pm daily. The Merewether Surf Club also has toilet facilities.

There are a couple of sheltered tables available along the promenade area, though aside from this, shade is limited.

There is room along the sandy section of the children’s for a few beach umbrellas, though this area fills up very quickly.

There are unsheltered picnic tables available on the southern side of the pavilion.

Merewether Surfhouse is a short walk up the hill, which is a beachside kiosk, bar, cafe and restaurant.

Blue Door Kiosk is just off John Street for snack type meals, açai bowls, coffee and it’s locally renowned Coco-Whip.

The Beaches Hotel is a renovated art-deco pub on Frederick Street, offering views over Merewether Beach, pub style meals and live music.

Things to do nearby

Newcastle Canoe Pool: The Former Map of the World Pool

Newcastle Memorial Walk: A Walk To Remember

Merewether Ocean Baths: Newcastle’s Favourite Ocean Pool

Newcastle Bogey Hole: All You Need To Know About The Iconic Rock Pool

Take in the stunning Coastal views from the Newcastle Anzac Memorial Walk

The Newcastle Memorial Walk, is a spectacular coastal walk located in the Newcastle beachside suburb of Bar Beach.

Funded by the Newcastle Council and BHP Billiton, the Memorial Walk links Newcastle’s Strzelecki lookout with the existing six kilometre coastal walk around Newcastle’s most popular beaches.

The walk is popular amongst tourists for it’s stunning 360 degree views of the city and equally as popular with many locals using it for cardio exercise due to it’s stair cases and the steep incline leading up to the walkway from Bar Beach

Significance of the Memorial Walk

The ANZAC Memorial Walk was officially opened on the 24th of April 2015 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landing in Gallipoli.

The walkway honours Australian soldiers that fought in World War I with steel silhouettes of soldiers featured along both sides of the top section of the walk.

The silhouettes are marked with the names of 11,000 Hunter Valley men and women that served during World War I.

Secondly, the bridge is constructed from 64 tonnes of stainless steel, which pays tribute to the history of Newcastle as a city and it’s steel making background.

The 100th year anniversary of BHP’s Newcastle Steelworks opening coincidently also coincides with the 100 year anniversary of ANZAC landing in Gallipoli.

More information can be found on the Newcastle Council website.

Strzelecki Lookout Section

This section of the walk can be accessed from the lookout car park. This part is approximately 160 metres long and leads to a viewing platform with bench seating before meeting up with the second section which is predominately stairs.

This section of the walk is flat, making it accessible for prams and wheelchairs to walk the length and make a return loop to the car park.

Please note that dogs are not permitted on the walkway at any time.

Bar Beach section

This section is made up of a stairways and ramps which brings you down onto Memorial Drive, towards Bar Beach.

The walk down the stairs from this section offers stunning cliffside views of the ocean and the coastal landscape.

This section is not too hard to manage on the way down, though for those with mobility issues or young children, it’s not the easiest of walks on the way back up.

Getting there

The memorial walk is located on Memorial Drive.

If travelling by car, you’re able to park in the Strzelecki Lookout car park and access the top of the walkway from there.

From this starting point, the walk will be mostly flat before heading down stairs downhill.

Alternatively you can park in the Bar Beach car park.

While this is a nice walk, it is a very steep walk to get to the staircase.

Once on the staircase it is hard work getting uphill, so may not be suitable for those with mobility issues or younger children.

When is the best time to visit?

Any time of day is a great time to visit. Although it is particularly spectacular early in the morning or late in the evening when the light is soft.

The walkway is accessible 24 hours a a day and is equipped with lighting for those that may wish to experience it after dark.

Amenities nearby

Cooks Hill Surf Club has a number of amenities available for those visiting the walk.

Toilets and showers are located at the surf club, as well as a takeaway shop and tables and chairs.

Things to do nearby

Merewether Ocean Baths: Newcastle’s Favourite Ocean Pool

Newcastle Memorial Walk: A Walk To Remember

Newcastle Bogey Hole: All You Need To Know About The Iconic Rock Pool

Newcastle Canoe Pool: The Former Map of the World Pool

Newcastle Ocean Baths Neighbour – The Historical Canoe Pool

The Newcastle Canoe Pool is located next to the Newcastle Baths towards the North of Newcastle Beach and is an iconic landmark in the Hunter Region.

Now a popular swimming spot for young children, the ocean pool has a rich history, dating back to the early 1900’s.

Constructed on the same rock platform as the baths, the pool was excavated to be around 1 metre in depth towards the southern end to protect it from high seas.

History of the Young Mariners Pool

Constructed in the late 1930’s, the Canoe Pool looked very different to how it does currently.

Formerly known as the Young Mariner’s Pool, it was known for its concrete map of the world that was large enough for children to swim around and jump off. It was commonly referred to by locals as the ‘Map Pool’ or ‘Geographical Pool’.

Countries of the commonwealth were red and the remaining countries were green. Around 20cm of the concrete map was seen above the water line.

Years later, another large area was constructed towards the north rocks, which became the Canoe Pool. This area was constructed after the City Engineer, Mr. L.J. Price suggested the idea to allow the possibility to cater to the crowds and to appeal to older children. This large area catered to a range of other water sports, such as canoeing or sailing.

The concrete map was said to be broken up and removed by Newcastle City Council as it posed as a safety risk and was continually filled with sand during large swells. Though many locals still believe sections of it may still remain which have been uncovered over the years by large waves.

All that exists today is the Canoe Pool, which has been developed into being a much larger pool with the removal of the young mariners pool and its map.

Photo credit to the Newcastle City Library’s for the historical photos – Hunter Photo Bank

Getting There

The Canoe Pool is located on Shortland Esplanade, next to the ocean baths. The road through there is one way, which means you need to access it via the roundabout at Nobby’s beach.

There is a small parking area located at the baths itself, or there is additional parking along Shortland Esplanade. Both areas fill up very quickly during the summer months and school holidays.

Keep and eye out for dolphins when visiting

A couple of time when we’ve visited the Canoe Pool, we’ve spotted dolphins catching waves nearby. We were lucky enough during out visit to capture some photos with our drone!

Facilities

There are toilet and shower facilities nearby at the Newcastle Ocean Baths.

There is a small beach kiosk located inside the Ocean Baths building also, and as an alternative, you will find all of these same facilities at Newcastle Beach or Nobby’s Beach, both are a short walk away.

More information can be found at Visit Newcastle

Things to do nearby

Newcastle Bogey Hole: All You Need To Know About The Iconic Rock Pool

Merewether Ocean Baths: Newcastle’s Favourite Ocean Pool

Newcastle Canoe Pool: The Former Map of the World Pool

Newcastle Memorial Walk: A Walk To Remember

The Iconic Newcastle Bogey Hole – A Local’s Guide

The Newcastle Bogey Hole is a popular tourist destination located on the eastern coast of Australia in the city of Newcastle. It has a rich history and is a popular spot for locals and tourists to cool off during the hot summer months.

It is located at the base of a cliff near the ocean, and the only way to access it is by climbing down a steep set of stairs.

The Bogey Hole is surrounded by a large rock platform, and visitors can sunbathe or relax on the rocks while watching the waves crash into the pool.

The pool itself is quite deep, and visitors can swim in the clear, cool water while watching the waves crash over the edge of the pool.

The water in the Bogey Hole is refreshed by the ocean every high tide, which helps keep the water clean and clear.

The Bogey Hole is also known for its stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

History

The Bogey Hole is not only a beautiful and unique swimming spot, but it also has a rich history with it originally being designed for longest serving Commandant, James Morisset back in 1819. The pool was hand hewn from the wave-cut rock platform by convicts for the Commandant’s own personal use. It was originally referred to back then as the “Commandant’s Baths”.

It wasn’t until many years later that the former commandant’s baths received their current name the “Bogey Hole” from the indigenous word meaning ‘to bathe or swim’.

This man-made rock pool was the first of its kind in New South Wales, hence its preservation. The site has been heritage listed as it’s one of the oldest ocean pools on the East Coast of Australia. It isn’t known whether there was a naturally occurring rock pool in it’s place prior to any works undertaken for Major James Morisset.

In 1863, the ownership of the baths was handed over to the Newcastle Borough Council which enlarged the existing swimming hole and opened it for public use. During this time, the baths were mostly used by men, though women were allowed to use them during set times.

In 1880, the Newcastle Council allowed both women and men to use the baths at the same time, providing that bathers were worn at all times.

By 1884, the swimming hole was further enlarged and deepened to it’s current size and a railing around the iron rail was installed. It’s believed that the current pool is now 7 times larger than seven times it’s original size.

There had been a number of structures built during the early years, including changing rooms and toilets that have since been removed.

The most recent addition has been the metal staircase, which was built over the existing stone stairway.

If you’re interested in knowing more about the history, there is a huge amount of information, as well as some historic photos on the Hunter Living Histories Website.

The Bogey Hole is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register in recognition of it’s significance in Newcastle and NSW’s history.

Staying safe while swimming

As beautiful and unique as it is to look at, the Bogey Hole has a reputation for being a dangerous place to swim with it claiming a number of lives over the years. There are a number of things you can do to ensure you can enjoy the rock pool, while also remaining safe.

1. It is really important to swim when the conditions are at their safe.
   
2. Low tide and low swell are ideal for avoiding dangerous waves. You are able to check the weather conditions prior to swimming on most popular weather apps. During times of heavy swells, the entire baths can be completely underwater.
   
3. Don’t turn your back to the ocean and remain vigilant.
   
4. While the waves may appear calm at times, it is not uncommon for rogue waves. These are strong enough to knock you over if you’re standing on slippery rocks. Swimmers have also been swept into the ocean from the rocks, so it’s important to remain vigilant while swimming.
   
5. Do not dive in or jump from any rock ledges.
   
6. People have been severely injured after jumping from rock ledges and diving into the pool. The most recent death in 2010 was a diving-related incident. The installation of the new stairway has helped eliminate access to some of the areas where most people use to dive from though diving from the pool’s edge is also discouraged due to submerged rocks.

Best time to visit

The Bogey Hole is open and accessible to the public all throughout the year and you’re able to visit at any time of the day or night.

During the winter months, there isn’t usually too many people willing to brave the cold temperatures to swim in the bath, so it can be quite beautiful to see it so peaceful and calm.

However, during the summertime, it is an incredibly popular spot and can be quite busy when the ocean conditions are safe for swimming.

While it is accessible at night, there isn’t any lighting, so it’s safest to both swim in and view during daylight hours. It is well worth visiting the Bogey Hole during sunrise or sunset for some spectacular views

Facilities

There aren’t any toilets, changerooms, or showering facilities at the Bogey Hole. The closest toilets are near the King Edward Park rotunda, or Newcastle Beach, which has changerooms and shower facilities, as well as a kiosk. It’s a lengthy walk for either option.

It’s best to limit any belongings and only bring the necessary items. Due to the unpredictability of the waves, it can also be difficult to keep your belongings safe and dry.

Most locals recommend bringing items in a waterproof bag and tying it to the chain mesh along the stairs or stair railing to ensure any items remain safe and dry

Getting there

Sitting beneath the cliff edge of Shepherds Hill, the Bogey Hole isn’t visible from the road, so it truly is a hidden gem and can be tricky to find for visitors to the city.

The only way to access it is by climbing down a steep set of stairs. The stairs can be quite slippery and dangerous, so visitors need to take care when walking down them.

Via King Edward Park

Sitting beneath the cliff edge, at the foot of Shepherds Hill, the Bogey Hole isn’t visible from the road, so it truly is a hidden gem and can be tricky to find for visitors to the city.

There are a number of ways you can access the Bogey Hole. If travelling by car, the best place to park is within the King Edward Park area, which has free parking

York Drive, The Terrace, or anywhere within that area is ideal. From there you can walk the remainder of the way down a paved road towards the stairs leading down to the pool, enjoying the stunning views of the pacific ocean along the way.

If walking from the top parking area of King Edward Park, there is a path down the cliff side of Shepherds Hill. This area was formerly known as “Sheep Pasturage Hill”. On your way down you’ll find a small lookout to stop at to take in the views.

Via Newcastle Beach

Another option is to park along Newcastle Beach and walk there along Shortland Esplanade, though you will need to pay for parking in this area.

Car spaces can be limited during the summer holiday period and weekends. It’s not uncommon to see Newcastle City Council’s parking officers getting about the city, so best to check any parking signs prior to leaving your car.

Parking in this area means you will have easy access to a change room and showering facilities upon your return to your car.

More information can be found at NSW GOV or Visit Newcastle

Bogey Hole photos

Rough seas at the Bogey Hole during our visit

You may also be interested in

Merewether Ocean Baths: Newcastle’s Favourite Ocean Pool

Newcastle Memorial Walk: A Walk To Remember

Newcastle Canoe Pool: The Former Map of the World Pool

Newcastle Bogey Hole: All You Need To Know About The Iconic Rock Pool