Newcastle Ocean Baths
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.
We are 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.
upgrade takes this, and the requirements of a possible State Heritage Listing into account.
Community feedback
A comprehensive engagement campaign was conducted between 17 June and 5 August last year to seek feedback on plans for Stage Two of our upgrade which includes the revitalisation of the pavilion buildings and surrounds. Visit our Have Your Say page to view the consultation report and learn more about the activities that were undertaken.
A huge thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts with us. Some of you like the design, and some of you suggested changes. Based on your feedback we are exploring:
- A different layout for the change rooms
- More seating and spaces for picnics
- Ways to deliver the feeling of open air with ventilation and natural lighting through the changeroom roof design.
Following revisions to the design based on the engagement campaign, we will seek planning approval through a development application process, which includes Heritage NSW. This will be followed by detailed design for Stage Two.
Upcoming inspections and cleaning
It's been just over a year since we welcomed pool users back following Stage One of our upgrade to the Baths. Now that the peak holiday period has passed, it's time to take a closer look at the pool to see how it has fared in its first year. This is an important step in closing out the construction contract and gives us important information for ongoing management and maintenance.
On Monday 24 February our team will close and drain the Baths, using machinery to move large volumes of sand that has built up to enable inspection of the pool floor and walls. Depending on weather conditions while we are there, we hope to also complete a deep clean of the Baths to maintain water quality for swimmers in the months ahead.
For your safety, please pay attention to safety signage and the directions of workers on site.
The Baths facility (including the amenities) is expected to be closed for up to a week, depending on weather conditions. Swimmers are able to enjoy Merewether Ocean Baths, nearby beaches or our inland pools during this short-term closure of Newcastle Ocean Baths.
For the latest information visit our Beaches and Baths page.
Learn more about the two project stages below.
In Stage One 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 One was finalised in August 2021 incorporating the art-deco inspired circular stairs, bleachers and retaining the popular boardwalk.
Following completion of Stage One the pool re-opened for swimming on Thursday 21 December 2023.
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 change rooms and public amenities are open from 5.30am to dusk. The upgrade of these facilities is part of Stage Two of the project.
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.
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.
In 2023 we asked the community for feedback on preliminary floorplan options for these spaces.
In late 2023 we appointed an experienced Principal Design Consultant to deliver the concept design of Stage Two.
Between 17 June and 5 August 2024, we invited the community to help shape Stage Two of the project. Visit our have your say page to see the concept plans, the consultation report, learn more about the activities that were undertaken, and read answers to frequently asked questions.
Above: The newly restored bleachers and new diving blocks, with the new timber boardwalk in the foreground.
Above: The restored circular stairs, shade structure and seating adjacent to the pool.
Above: Bathers and sunbakers enjoying the newly restored bleacher seating.
Scroll through our Video Library to watch the upgrade of Newcastle Ocean Baths come to life.
Quick links
Past consultation
2024 Consultation on Stage 2
2023 Consultation on Stage 2
2020 Consultation
2014 Consultation
Supporting Information
- Inundation Report - 2023 (pdf 11.5MB)
- Review of Environmental Factors 2021 - Newcastle Ocean Baths Stage 1 Upgrade (pdf 52MB)
- Newcastle Coastal Plan of Management 2015(pdf 4.8MB)
- Newcastle Coastal Zone Management Plan 2018(pdf 6.5MB)
- Newcastle Coastal Zone Hazards Study 2014(pdf 20MB)
- Newcastle Coastal Zone Management Study 2014(pdf 19MB)
- Heritage Places Strategic Plan and Plan of Management 2014 (pdf 1.8MB)
- Newcastle Ocean Baths Conservation Management Plan 2002(pdf 2.5MB)
- Stage One Upgrade - Animation
- Considerations for Pool Promenade and Sand Floor
