Sydney is famous for its iconic beaches, but its pool culture is less well-known. The city has more ocean pools (35) than any other in the world, and its iconic swim spots are loved by locals and visitors alike. With one of them getting a much-debated upgrade, Gary Nunn takes a look back at how the pool culture came about.
The most popular pool in Sydney is Icebergs, an iconic Bondi Beach institution with a cult-like following. The pool has a Riviera vibe with buttercup yellow sun umbrellas and swaying palm trees, plus it’s always at just the right jumping-right-in temperature. It’s also home to a restaurant and bar, so you can hang out by the water with a drink in hand, or head up on one of the decks for a bit of people watching.
Coogee’s Wylie’s Baths is another beautiful tidal pool, established by champion swimmer Henry Alexander Wylie in 1907. The cliff-backed location offers sweeping views out to Wedding Cake Island and the Pacific Ocean. If you want to take a break from the water, head inside and lounge by the pool’s waterfall or grab some food at the restaurant, which features an excellent menu including bonito sashimi, charcoal-grilled quail and just-shucked Sydney rock oysters. Indulge a little more at the day spa, which is where a 90-minute native clay massage will have you floating on air.
Other tidal pools include Coogee Bay at the end of the pier, McIver’s Ladies Baths, which are the only ocean pools in Australia that are exclusively for women and children, dating back to 1882, and Wylie’s Baths, which is open all year round. Another beautiful ocean pool is Watson’s Bay Baths in the city centre, which has an elegant terrace with a retractable roof.
If you’re staying in the inner city, check out Prince Alfred Park Pool, an urban oasis in Surry Hills and Redfern with a grassy area, shaded by the pool’s lush green walls, and a 50-metre pool at that perfect jump-right-in temperature. There’s even a cafe, serving fresh-squeezed juice and smoothies.
If you’re a homeowner in the Sydney real estate market, installing your own pool can be an excellent investment. Not only does it add to your property’s overall aesthetic and appeal, but it can also increase the resell value of your home. With so many benefits, it’s not surprising that more and more people are choosing to build their own swimming pool in Sydney. The advantages are endless.