If you are visiting Newcastle then you’ll surely be packing your cossies. There are so many cool places to swim in Newcastle, and I’ve tried them out so that I can point you in the right direction.
Come along with me and we’ll enjoy the salty slap of the waves, do many laps and see some beautiful views too.
I had been dreaming of a swimming safari to Newcastle for years. Finally, finally, my children had grown up and left home, and one was at uni in Newcastle.
Add to that a writing retreat at Nobbys Lighthouse through Lighthouse Arts and I was all set for a week of swimming and writing, writing and swimming, with plenty of coastal walking in between and a few catchups with my own uni student Boy Wonder.
But where to start my splashing?
Comparing Newcastle’s Three Ocean Pools
There are three ocean baths in Newcastle: Mereweather Ocean Baths, Newcastle Ocean Baths and the Bogey Hole. Mereweather and Newcastle are enormous manmade swimming pools beside the sea. The Bogey Hole is much more of a natural rock pool, and you have to walk in to it rather than park close by. All three of these ocean pools are free to use. (I will list some land-based swimming pools later as I am planning to use some of these on my next Newcastle visit.)
Things to remember: Newcastle Ocean Baths is closed every Wednesday for cleaning; Mereweather Ocean Baths is closed every Thursday. There are occasional closures for cleaning and maintainence at other times too. Please, I entreat you, do check out the City Of Newcastle Ocean Baths website page here to check current closures BEFORE your visit, just in case the cleaning days have changed.
My son was free on the day that I arrived in Newcastle and we chose to start our Newcastle pools swims at gorgeous Mereweather Ocean Baths.
Mereweather Ocean Baths
Henderson Parade, Mereweather, Newcastle
We started on a sunny Sunday afternoon at Mereweather Ocean Baths, finding a free car park surprisingly close to the pool. I am sure that the parking is very difficult at busy times.
Mereweather is the seaside suburb just a few kilometres south of the city centre. The Baths there were opened in 1935. There are two separate enormous pools. I read that these are both 100 metres long, but they look longer to me.
The first pool is shallow and about 30 metres wide. The vast seaward pool is 50 metres wide and one end of it is ideal for lap swimming with lanes marked out.
It really was a joy to stretch out on the poolside in the sun after doing laps in the pool and then a swim right around the perimeter. The views out to sea are as gorgeous as the pool itself.
There are the remains of an older baths on the beach to the north of Mereweather Ocean Baths. These were called the Ladies Baths. I must go for a swim there next time.
The Bogey Hole, Newcastle
Address: York Drive, King Edward Park, Newcastle
The Bogey Hole is a rock pool which began its life as the Commandant’s Baths in 1819, when Major James Morisset had convicts construct a personal pool for his use at the foot of Shepherds Hill.
It has been expanded over the years, though it looks as if it could be an entirely natural rock pool. This pool is not cleaned by council as the high tide does a splendid job of washing it out.
This does mean that at high tide and when the sea is up there are waves breaking over the pool. Breaking waves can be very dangerous, so use your judgement before you swim. There were occasional big waves coming over when I swam and I kept away from the seaward side of the pool.
There are plenty of fish and other sea life to look at in the pool; this is a very different swim to the other two more manmade ocean baths.
Getting there: Although there are roads within King Edward Park, no cars can get very close to the pool itself. I parked at King Edward Park Lookout and then walked down steps and the path to get to the metal steps that lead down to the pool.
The Bathers Way 6 km walk passes by the pool, and it makes a refreshing stop for walkers. Find The Bathers Way map and info leaflet here.
Read more and see more photos on this website: https://wanderaustralia.com.au/newcastle-bogey-hole/
Newcastle Ocean Baths
Address: 30 Shortland Esplanade, Newcastle
I adore these baths for their beautiful art deco style and the gorgeous faded greens of the seating areas and the magnificent pavilion. That green and the colours of the pool water and the ocean beyond just lull my mind into calmness. And that’s before I’ve even started swimming.
I visited this pool three times and always managed to find a space for the car within a short walk. Mind you, I was not ever there in the middle of a hot summer Sunday. I am sure parking would be difficult then.
To me, this pool feels like a little bit of Europe in Newcastle. I swam laps int he lap section and also splashed around in the bigger pool, with a few swims around the whole perimeter.
Newcastle Ocean Baths were opened to the public in 1922. Close your eyes and shake your head then open them to imagine you’ve gone back in time. It’s easy.
Just alongside the baths, on the Newcastle Beach side there is a huge round wading pool, an oasis and a paradise for children, this is known as the Canoe Pool and is well worth a splash if you have brought the family.
History buffs will enjoy the University of Newcastle’s Living Histories Historic Swimming Baths slide show here.
Newcastle Ocean Swimming
Bar Beach
Ocean swim groups regularly swim from Bar Beach, it is also a wonderful spot just to play between the flags.
Find current local Newcastle ocean swimming groups on the Ocean Swims website here.
Nobbys Beach
Newcastle Outdoor Seasonal Pools
These five pools are owned by City of Newcastle and operated by BlueFit Aquatics. All are outdoor and seasonal — smoke-free, with off-street and accessible parking, steps with handrails for pool entry, and BlueFit learn-to-swim programs.
For more details on each one, including seasonal opening times, check out the Newcastle Pools website or call (02) 4952 5522.
1. Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre
Address: Durham Road, Lambton NSW 2299
The flagship of Newcastle’s public pool network — the biggest, busiest and longest-running seasonal pool.
- Four pools — a 50m main pool, diving pool with boards and tower, plus a learners and toddlers pool, and a water park area.
- Opened in 1963 as Newcastle’s first inland swimming pool; attracts an average of 184,000 visitors annually.
- Features a 100-metre water slide, aquatic playground and full-service café.
2. Mayfield Swimming Centre
Address: Ingall Street, Mayfield NSW 2304
A beloved community pool located in Dangar Park, popular with families and school carnival groups.
- Two pools, a main 50m pool and a learners pool
- On-site kiosk and BBQ facilities.
3. Stockton War Memorial Swimming Centre
Address: Fullerton Street, Stockton NSW 2295
A uniquely located pool right on the harbour foreshore, with easy bike and ferry access.
- Two pools, a main 50m pool and a shallow learners pool
4. Wallsend Memorial Olympic Swimming Centre
Address: Cowper Street, Wallsend NSW 2287
A charming neighbourhood pool not far from Wallsend CBD, recently upgraded with accessible changerooms.
- Three pools — a main 50m pool, a free swim area on one side, and a toddler pool
5. Beresfield Swimming Centre
Address: 230 Anderson Drive, Beresfield NSW 2322
A community-focused pool serving the western corridor of Newcastle, with upgraded solar heating.
- Three pools — a main 50m pool, learners pool and toddlers pool
Best Newcastle Indoor Swimming Pool
NUsport Aquatic Centre (University of Newcastle, Callaghan)
Address: 130 University Drive, Callaghan NSW 2308
Website: nusport.org.au
The region’s only 50-metre indoor heated swimming pool, with 8 lanes and seating for 400 spectators.
- Number of pools: 1 main pool + splash zone
- Pool length: 8-lane, 50m heated indoor pool
- State-of-the-art UV filtration system for superior water quality
- Open year-round (except Christmas Day and Good Friday); Mon–Fri 5:30am–10pm, weekends 7am–7pm
- On-site café serving barista coffee plus fresh food options
Swim in Newcastle FAQ
Are Newcastle ocean baths free?
Yes
Is the Bogey Hole safe to swim in?
Yes, so long as there are no waves breaking over. At high tide and in rough seas, it is NOT safe to swim in.
Can you swim at Merewether baths in winter?
Yes, all three ocean baths are open all year round.
Are Newcastle's ocean baths heated?
No, they are not. People do swim all year round though.
Is Merewether the biggest ocean pool in the world?
No, but it is the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere.
I hope that you feel completely up to speed with where to swim in Newcastle, New South Wales. The ocean baths there are absolutely some of the very finest in Australia.
You might enjoy a look at this website: https://swimmingholeheaven.com/
Find many more articles about great Australian places to swim here.
