Access to toilet/change facilities Actively maintained Disabled Access

Men Women Children

Current Use: Heritage site. Negligible use now for bathing/swimming.
Condition: Access is difficult.

1856
Women and children used a bathing pool 'the Children's Pool' on the south side of Flagstaff Hill as an alternative to the earlier Chain Baths.

1877
A visit to Wollongong by Mr Williams of the Harbours and Rivers Branch of the NSW Department of Public Works triggered action to formalise the Ladies Baths.

1906
A NSW Department of Lands plan of proposed sites for ladies baths shows dressing-sheds at both the Chain Baths and the Ladies Pool.

Around 1910
A photograph shows dressing-sheds above the pool and steps leading from them down to the pool.

1920
Wollongong Council refused to allow the Wollongong Surf and Recreation Club to use the Ladies Baths on Tuesdays and Thursdays, believing it unwise to 'allow the use of ladies baths to members of the opposite sex under any circumstances'.

1923
Wollongong Council spent six pounds on repairs to steps at the women's baths as well as making minor repairs.

1929
When it was reported that one of the males seen bathing in the Wollongong Ladies Baths was a 'life saver of the South Beach', Alderman Henderson suggested 'his services should be dispensed with'.

1931
Responding to the many complaints about men swimming at the ladies baths and fishing on the rocks adjacent to the baths, Council placed a notice there and asserted that 'men would be well advised to keep away from these baths, which have been specially reserved for ladies who do not favour the surf beaches'.

1940
The Mother Superior of the St Mary's Convent complained to council that 'since the dressing shed at the Ladies Baths and the Chain Baths have been demolished no facilities for dressing are now available'.

2001
The Wollongong's Ladies Baths at South Flagstaff Point were listed as a heritage item on the Wollongong Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and featured on the Wollongong Harbour Heritage Trail.

1829
A military garrison and stockade was relocated from Red Point in Port Kembla to the boat harbour at Wollongong.

1837
300 convicts began excavation works and construction of a breakwater to improve Wollongong's harbour.

1841
Wollongong's population was 831, comprising 330 free males, 286 free females, 47 soldiers and dependents (39 males and 8 females) and 168 male convicts in the stockade of Flagstaff Hill. Most of the population was less than 45 years old and had arrived as free settlers.

1850s
Wollongong was one of the oldest municipalities in NSW. 

1947
Central Illawarra Shire, North Illawarra and Bulli Shire were amalgamated with the municipality of Wollongong in 1947 to form the City of Greater Wollongong. 
 

To be added.

Testimony to women and children's emerging interest in swimming as a skill and a sport in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Created when Wollongong's South Beach was regarded as shark-infested and unsafe. In use for generations before a surf club existed at South Beach. Meets heritage criteria for natural, historical, cultural and social values, a rare but representative item with archaeological value.

Assessed significance: Could be of State Heritage significance if considered as part of the cluster of pools within the Belmore Basin Conservation Area.
Current heritage status: Listed as having local heritage significance in Wollongong Council's Local Environmental Plan in 2000. Sited within the Belmore Basin Conservation Area listed in the Illawarra Regional Environmental Plan.

Related Topics Children Council involvement Dressing sheds Fishing & fishtraps Life savers & lifeguards 'Lost' & abandoned ocean baths Nuns & brothers Sharks Swimming

Studies & References Meredith Hutton. Conservation Study for Belmore Basin Conservation Area, Wollongong, NSW. For Wollongong City Council, 1997. McDonald McPhee Rogers Conacher Fullarton. City of Wollongong Heritage Study, 1991.