Sydney Pools
Sydney is famous for its Opera House and Harbour Bridge but the city also has something else to shout about – a collection of world-class ocean pools. These iconic swim spots are cherished by locals and visitors alike, and they are a key feature of Sydney’s unique swim culture. But what would happen if one of these famous pools closed? The looming closure of Canterbury pool in the south-western suburb of Sydney is the latest in a long list of post-war swimming pools to be shuttered. It’s a loss that’ll hit some residents particularly hard, says lawyer and community advocate Yusra Metwally. “For many of us growing up in suburban Sydney, swimming pools were a symbol of modern Australia,” she said. “They were a place where the intoxicating scent of chlorine and hot chips accompanied long, carefree days spent splashing around in the water with what seemed like the whole neighbourhood.”
Michael Easton is another local who’s passionate about Sydney’s pools. He started trying out different pools to swim laps a few years ago and documenting what made each place special on Instagram. He’s now swum in 68 pools and says it’s impossible to single out one as his favourite, but that each has its own distinctive qualities. “The way in which people engage with a particular pool is almost a ritual,” he said. “It’s about preparing for your swim, getting the towels out, the way the children run up and down to change, the unwritten rules of etiquette in each pool. It’s a really important part of our cultural heritage.”
In the past, Sydney’s outdoor pools were known as places where you could go for a swim without having to worry about the sharks. But in a world where the threat of shark attacks is more prevalent, it’s not surprising that swimmers are becoming increasingly wary of entering the water.
For those that do go swimming, the city’s pool culture is still very much alive and kicking, and there are plenty of options to choose from, ranging from the sand-and-rock pools at Bondi and Coogee to the tidal flow salt water pool at Nielsen Park in Vaucluse. Here are some of Sydney’s most famous swim spots:
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