Sydney’s harbour beauty

GREENWICH BATHS

Greenwich Baths is nestled on the tip of Greenwich Point, with spectacular harbor views including Cockatoo Island, Iron Cove and Balmain to the south. To the southeast the imposing Sydney CBD skyline includes the banking skyscrapers and Centrepoint Tower.  The Harbour’s pleasant waters are ideal for swimming and the facilities at Greenwich Baths cater for everyone from  toddlers having a splash to a lap swimmer enjoying their training.

The baths are surrounded by a shark-proof net and are an enclosed site with child-proof gating so you and your family can feel perfectly safe enjoying your day on the beach.  For families and young mums there are toys provided for the ever-important sandcastle building, and the tiny lapping waves are a safe introduction for babies to the ocean water. For those who just want a relaxing day by the harbour, we have provided brand new sun-loungers and picnic tables for you to come and enjoy a great cup of coffee and some fish and chips from our café. For those who enjoy an active day at the beach, a 30m lap section with lane ropes is available complete with turn boards to have a unique workout in our city’s harbour and then relax with a cold drink and the weekend newspaper. If you are  seeking a satisfying lunch, our new menu includes delicious salt and pepper calamari and hot chips, toasted sandwiches and milkshakes with a big scoop of gelato, as well as excellent coffee and snacks.

Changing rooms and shower facilities are provided, and the entry fee enables you access to all these facilities. Children under 3 are free of charge, and if customers wish to have food or a coffee at the café tables but not access the beach there is no charge. There is free parking on the residential streets and the Sailing Club has a car park just a short walk away from the Baths. The site is also accessible as a walk from Wollstonecraft train station, by the 265 bus or by taking the Sydney Ferries Woolwich/Balmain ferry route to Greenwich Point which docks metres away from the Baths.

ENTRY DETAILS

CASUAL ENTRY 
Adult$4.70
Concession / Child (<16y) / Student$3.60
10 VISIT PASS 
Adult$42.30
Concession / Child (<16y) / Student$32.40
 
SEASON PASS 
Family$240
Adult$122.50
Concession / Child (<16y) / Student$61

HISTORY

 

Early photographs from 1908 indicate that the long stretch of sandy beach at Greenwich Point was a makeshift port used by small boats. The beach also played an essential role for local residents’ transportation. After 1923 the area was then leased to three families whose homes fronted the harbour and a private swimming pool was built on the property.

Despite the area being leased out the council still preserved the right to control and regulate the Baths. To this day the lessee stays in a caretaker’s room on site in order to open the baths between dawn and dusk. The Baths would be open to the public from the 1st of October to the 31st of March and now opening hours have been extended into September. The caretakers house has evolved over the years from a tent in the 1920’s, to a fibro cottage in the late 20’s and finally a house in 1967.
Greenwich Baths hosted one of the most competitive and largest amateur swim clubs from 1929 to the mid 1930’s, and were re-formed in 1963. The site was the training ground for swimming champions Jack McMahon and Ted Lever; Jack remains a loyal patron of the Baths.
In 1986 a new design for a shark proof enclosure was commissioned. After three years of deliberation, in March 1989 a design was approved and Council contributed $140,000 for the rebuilding program which was aided by $50,000 state grants. Nylon shark netting and an artificial beach was added while the walkway was not replaced as it was becoming a hazard for divers. The pool was eventually reopened in 1990.
Today the site is a popular attraction for residents and visitors alike. It is is currently run by sporting and leisure facility
management company BlueFit.

ABOUT US

With spectacular harbour views, fresh food at our cafe and a relaxed environment, the Harbour’s pleasant waters are ideal for swimming and the facilities at Greenwich Baths cater for…

OPENING TIMES

September  7.00am- 5.00pm
October  7.00am- 6.00pm
November  7.00am- 7.00pm
December  7.00am- 8.00pm
January     7.00am- 8.00pm
February    7.00am- 7.00pm
March        7.00am- 6.00pm
April          7.00am- 5.00pm
Closed Christmas Day

 

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