Sydney Dy Pools

The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House are world-renowned icons, but one of the city’s lesser known gems is its collection of ocean pools. The tidal pools are a testament to Sydney’s unique geography, climate and culture. “Nowhere else in the world has this big collection of ocean pools,” says Marie-Louise McDermott, an expert on ocean pools who runs the Sydney Ocean Pools Association.

Located along the city’s coastal headlands, the pools were built by local councils in the 19th and early 20th centuries to protect swimmers from rough waves and riptides. They are an important part of the city’s heritage and they have a special place in the hearts of residents and visitors alike, who can enjoy swimming, picnicking or simply admiring their beauty.

But the pools are not in good shape. Many have become overgrown and crumbling, or are being eroded by the surf and washed away by rain. Others have been closed due to safety concerns. Rising sea levels due to climate change are also a threat. Ocean pools sit on rock platforms, so rising seas will “change how they work”, Nicole Larkin, an architect and designer who specialises in ocean pools, told Jordan. “They’ll have to be maintained differently and there will come a point where you can’t do it anymore.”

Many swimmers are also concerned about pollution and other environmental issues. “People want to swim in a safe environment and we’re starting to see pollution from things like sewage and rubbish washing up on the beaches,” says McDermott. “So it’s really important that people are aware of these issues and that they’re putting their own rubbish in the right places.”

Sydney has more ocean pools than any other city in Australia, but most of them are closed due to pollution or erosion. In recent months, however, ocean swimming has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic and many people are eager to take advantage of Sydney’s beautiful harbour surrounds, warm seawater temperatures and sunny weather. The pools are also in high demand as a way to stay active and keep fit while being stuck indoors.

Fortunately, with the help of local businesses and volunteers, some of the city’s iconic sdy pools are getting a much-needed facelift. With the reopening of Wylie’s Baths in Coogee and McIver’s Ladies Baths in Bondi expected by late 2022, there is hope for the future of Sydney’s ocean pools. But it’s not without controversy. The project has been beset by council infighting, allegations of pork-barrelling and a lack of transparency, as well as heritage and health concerns. And it has cost more than $100m — with the opening date now uncertain. For Baker, it’s a case of “what the hell was that all about?”.