Merewether Ocean Bath
The Merewether Ocean Bath is considered one of Newcastle’s best beaches. It caters for both swimming enthusiasts and families who want to unwind and sunbathe. It is Australia’s Southern Hemisphere’s largest ocean bath at its dimension: 50m x 100m, including ten un-roped lap lanes. It was first opened in 1935 and is open all year round, regardless of the season.
The Merriweather Ocean Baths are free to access. They’re a popular swimming spot and a great place to cool off, have some wave-free fun, and enjoy some ocean-side coffee or ice cream.
To capture the perfect beach shot, you should visit Merewether Ocean Baths in the morning. They are some of the ideal subjects for photography. Capturing the iconic lanes with tourists and locals alike doing their laps as a background adds to the overall aesthetics. In fact, its iconic lap numbers have been the subject of many local’s photo shoots.
This ocean bath is used for many sporting and social events, movie shoots, fashion photography and other artist work, wedding parties, and other social functions. In fact, it also hosts the yearly Tassie Surf Life Saving Championships, which draws 3,000+ competitors each year. Up next is University of Newcastle.
History has it that the Merewether Ocean bath was originally constructed as part of the Melbourne Harbour Trust in 1887, which was intended to provide the city with its own swimming facility. During that time, the harbour used to be a bustling shipping port, which made it crowded that served as customers.
Like a lot of the ocean pools found in New South Wales, Merewether Ocean Bath was constructed as part of the relief scheme during the depression by hiring unemployed labourers during that time. As such, it was part of Australia’s history, being a water-loving country. Check it out here.
The Merewether Ocean baths had gone a $4 million worth of upgrade in 2014, which drastically improved a lot of its facilities.
Some of the amenities available for bath goers include showers, swimming pools, and public toilets, which make the place family-friendly. It also features two large baths: one deep that includes diving blocks which is considered one of the largest in Australia’s Southern hemisphere, and one shallow, which includes a sandy beach. The latter caters to kids for them to enjoy while maintaining safety.
This only means that this ocean bath serves both competitive swimmers and those who only want to visit the place to relax, regardless of age. You don’t have to worry about the kids as there is enough entertainment for them while you do your own thing.
Of course, as expected with most beaches, there will not be a lot of shade that you can stay at, so be sure to bring some protection against the scorching sun. Umbrellas, sunvisor, tents, and comfortable clothing are some of the essentials.
Although you and the kids will be mostly looking forward to sitting on the sand with spades and buckets at hand, there are plenty of seating options within the area, especially around the pools and sheltered tables. You also won’t have shortage of eating options with great views around the beach.
The best thing about it is that it’s free of charge and open 24/7.
Embedded Driving Directions from Merewether Ocean Bath to University of Newcastle
Written Driving Directions from Merewether Ocean Bath to University of Newcastle
Start: Merewether Ocean Bath
Continue to Frederick St
Continue on Berner St to Llewellyn St
Drive from Glebe Rd, Chatham St, Lambton Rd, Turton Rd/B63 … and Acacia Ave to Waratah West
End: University of Newcastle
Embedded Driving Directions from WASP Industries to Merewether Ocean Bath
Written Driving Directions from WASP Industries to Merewether Ocean Bath
Start: WASP Industries
Get on New England Hwy/A43 from Weakleys Dr
Follow A43 to Cram St in Hamilton South
Continue to follow A43