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.

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.

We look forward to the proposed inclusion of the site on the NSW State Heritage Register. You can have your say on the Heritage NSW nomination on the Heritage NSW website. Comments close on 14 January. 

The baths site is protected as a heritage item of local significance by the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012 in accordance with the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979. The design for both stages of our upgrade takes this, and the requirements of a possible State Heritage Listing into account. 


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

Stage One: Pools and promenade areas

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.

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 works 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.

Image showing the restored circular stairs and new seating areas adjacent to the poolAbove: The restored circular stairs, shade structure and seating adjacent to the pool.

Image of visitors sitting on the newly restored bleacher seating.Above: Bathers and sunbakers enjoying the newly restored bleacher seating.

Stage Two: Pavilions

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, learn more about the activities that were undertaken, and read answers to frequently asked questions.

Related news

Quick links
Past consultation

2024 Consultation on Stage 2

2023 Consultation on Stage 2

2020 Consultation

2014 Consultation

Previous reports