Newcastle Ocean Baths

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Newcastle Ocean Baths are over 100 years old and needed substantial upgrades to the pavilions, pools, and promenades to continue to provide benefit to the community.

City of Newcastle has committed to retaining the aesthetic of the Inter-war striped classical / art deco façade of the baths as well as the iconic bleacher seating, while also improving public amenity through provision of more shade, disability access, seating, and new public changerooms with hot water showers.

The revitalisation of Newcastle Ocean Baths is being delivered in two stages:

Stage 1: Pools and promenade areas

We prioritised upgrades to the pool area to improve safety and accessibility for all users. This included remediation to the pools, lower promenade and pump upgrades. After considerable engagement with the community, the final design for Stage 1 was finalised in August 2021 and incorporates the art-deco inspired circular stairs, bleachers and retains the boardwalk.

Stage One is now complete with the pool re-opened for swimming on Thursday 21 December.

A big thank you to all who attended our return to swim celebration.

The existing change facilities located in the southern pavilion building reopened in line with the recommencement of swimming. The upgrade of these facilities is part of Stage Two of the project, which is currently in early design phase. The change rooms and public amenities are open from 5.30am to dusk. 

Lifeguard patrol hours are between 9am and 5.30pm Monday to Sunday, except during 
periods of pool cleaning. The schedule for pool cleaning is available here.

Watch a short animation, below, to view key features of the final design.

 

You can also view an overview of how the new pump system will work, and read about the key considerations for the design of the pool promenade and sand floor.

The $9.5 million recovered from the sale of CN's Fred Ash building helped fund the Stage One upgrade, along with $3 million in funding from the NSW Government’s Public Spaces Legacy Program.

Above: The newly restored bleachers and new diving blocks, with the new timber boardwalk in the foreground.

Above: The new ramp, handrails and butcher block are in place

Stage 2: Pavilions

In 2023 we asked the community for feedback on preliminary floorplan options for these spaces. Visit our Have Your Say page to find out more.

In late 2023 we appointed an experienced Principal Design Consultant to deliver the concept design of Stage Two. There will be further opportunities for the community and our Community Reference Group to provide feedback during this stage.

Further information

View our Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) to learn more about the Newcastle Ocean Baths revitalisation.


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