Access to toilet/change facilities Actively maintained Disabled Access

Men Women Children

Current Use: Ocean baths.
Condition: Good.

Early 1930s
Narrabeen's rock baths built under the Unemployment Relief Scheme were one of the largest and most distinctive rock baths in the Sydney area. The timber decking was an original feature.

Early 1940s
The Northern Suburbs Women's Amateur Swimming Association formed and involved ladies swimming clubs at the Collaroy, Dee Why, Freshwater and Narrabeen ocean pools.

1960s
Narrabeen Ladies Swimming Club offered free swimming lessons every Saturday and Sunday.
The winter swimming club, the North Narrabeen Shivering Sharks formed.
Aboriginal boys and girls from inland NSW who attended the annual Aboriginal Welfare Board camp at Elanora Heights were photographed swimming at the Narrabeen pool.

1996
Pittwater Council asked the NSW government to help pay for storm damage to the popular Narrabeen rock pool. A prolonged wave attack in March had done such major damage to the pool and the decking that the pool could only be used for social swimming and not for swimming competitions or training. Council estimated $82,000 was needed to fix the decking and resurface the inside of the pool.

A seven-year-old boy playing on his bodyboard was washed out of the baths and probably drowned. His body was not found.

2000
Narrabeen Ladies Swimming Club's Chief Instructor had been involved in the learn-to-swim program for 31 years.

2002
In March, the NSW government created an aquatic reserve from the south end of Turimetta Beach to the rockbaths at Narrabeen Head. Within the protection zone, which extends to 100 metres offshore, recreational fishing is allowed, but there are bans on taking a whole range of intertidal invertebrates including oysters, mussels, crabs and pipis.

2003
The NSW Department of Sport and Recreation had five morning swimming lessons running at the Narrabeen Pool from January 13-23.

A committed 74-year-old winter swimmer planned to ride his motor scooter from Elanora Heights to the North Narrabeen rock pool for his 700th consecutive winter swim meet since joining the Shivering Sharks in 1967. Those 700 swims covered 32 back-to-back seasons with around 22 meets each winter.
 

Much of the land around Narrabeen was left to the Salvation Army by Elizabeth Jenkins.

1906
Warringah Shire was formed.

1924
Opening of the Spit Bridge brought a rush of day-trippers to the northern beaches and most Narrabeen businesses catered for holiday-makers.

1932
Completion of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the rapid rise in car ownership accelerated Narrabeen's residential development.

1946
Opening of the Wakehurst Parkway brought Narrabeen directly in line with the Spit Bridge. By reducing the time need for road travel to Central Sydney, this new road helped fuel Narrabeen's post-war building boom.

1992
Pittwater Council was formed to administer what had been the northern part of Warringah Shire.

1993
North Narrabeen had the last remaining beachfront caravan park in Sydney - a popular place all year round and overflowing at holidays.
 

National Trust of Australia (NSW)

One of the most distinctive ocean baths created in the 1930s Depression. Important as a learn-to-swim, recreational and sporting venue. Strong association with a ladies swimming club as well as other swimming clubs, residents and visitors. Famed for its boardwalk. Attractive subject for artists and photographers.

Assessed significance: Their size and distinctive design suggest these baths are worth nominating for the State Heritage register. 
Current heritage status: Not yet given heritage status.
 

Related Topics Aboriginal people Artworks & artists Campers & caravanners Council involvement Learn-to-swim Storm damage Swim clubs Swimming Unemployment relief works Wildlife Winter swimming

Studies & References National Trust listing EJE Landscape Architects & Christa Ludlow. Survey of Harbourside & Ocean Pools of the Sydney Metropolitan Region.  Prepared for the National Trust of Australia (NSW), 1994.