Access to toilet/change facilities Actively maintained Disabled Access

Men Women Children

Current Use: Children's ocean baths.
Condition: Good.

1932
Sutherland Shire Council decided to formalise the ocean pools, creating 'spacious concrete bathing pools swept by breakers from the ocean' and facilities for visitors close to the Cronulla surfing areas. The first rock pool was a children's pool with a uniform depth of 18 inches that had been cut out of the rock shelf. The Shire engineer supervised the construction work.

The Minister for Local Government opened the main baths (132 feet long and 60 feet wide) and the neighbouring children's pool on Eight Hour Day 1932. Sutherland Council and the Cronulla surf club  and the Cronulla Fire Brigade co-operated in activities associated with the opening of the Cronulla rock pools.

Clans of the Dharawal people lived around North Cronulla and Cronulla Beach

1827
Surveyor Dixon used the term 'Cronulla beaches'.

1885
The railway reached Sutherland and the Cronulla area gained popularity as a picnic place.

1888
The Oriental Hotel occupied the site near the present-day North Cronulla Hotel.

1906
Sutherland Shire was proclaimed.

1911
A steam tram linked Sutherland and Cronulla.

World War I
The Cronulla area was semi-rural.

1920s
Motor cars gave more people readier access to Cronulla.
North Cronulla Surf Club began beach patrols in 1925.

1939
Cronulla became the only Sydney beach with a railway station.

1960s
Cronulla's low-rise holiday guest-houses were being replaced by high-rise flats.

2003
An assessment of the Shire's ocean baths was identified as a necessary part of the ongoing management of its coastal assets.

National Trust of Australia (NSW)

Significant as a pre-WWII ocean pool created specifically for children. Part of the set of ocean baths between North Cronulla and at South Cronulla that testifies to the importance of ocean baths as visitor attractions and as facilities for local residents, especially seniors, children and surf clubs.

Assessed significance: Local on its own,  but has increased significance when considered as part of the set of ocean baths between North Cronulla and at South Cronulla.
Current heritage status: Not yet given heritage status.
 

Related Topics Children Council involvement Public access & transport Surf clubs Tourism

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.