Sydney’s magnificent sandstone buildings and its famous beaches are world-renowned, but the city also has a lesser-known gem: the ocean pools. The city is unique among major coastal cities in having a large collection of these man-made seawater pools, which are situated on a surf coast so that waves can wash over them. These ocean pools are part of the reason why Sydney is known as “The Swimming City”.
Zoe Baker, 43, learned to love the simple charms of public sidney pools on childhood trips to her grandmother’s Granville pool, a basic big blue rectangle, with patches of grass and concrete on which to roll out towels and a kiosk selling hot chips and ice blocks. “There’s a mythical quality about these places that just doesn’t exist in many other urban settings,” she says. “They embody values of equality, diversity, tolerance and mateship. They just make you feel like you belong to a community.”
The southern two-thirds of the NSW coastline is mostly short to medium length sandy beaches, with rocky headlands. These sandstone headlands are ideal for pools, because they allow the pools to be sited in areas that are relatively stable over long periods of time and don’t alter the shape of the beach or fill with too much sand. This allows the pools to be accessible at high tide and remain usable at low tide, as well as allowing people to swim, bathe or surf in different parts of the pool at different times of the day.
Among the most beautiful rock pools in Sydney is one at Curl Curl Beach, which features two pools separated by an original wall that dates back to the 1920s. The southern end of the pool is popular with families, with a 50-metre pool and a shallower splash area for kids. Meanwhile, the northern rock pool is tucked away on a picturesque coastal walk and is more for adults, with a smaller pool surrounded by tall rocks.
If you’re planning to build a pool, it’s important to choose a reputable pool builder who is licenced to do the work. Licences are issued by NSW Fair Trading, and your pool builder should be willing to show you theirs. You should also carefully study your pool builder’s warranty terms to ensure that you have sufficient protection in case anything goes wrong with the installation process. It’s also a good idea to view some of your potential pool builder’s previous work before making a decision. This can help you find a builder who is suited to your style and budget. You should also ask for a detailed quote before any building works begin. This will give you an accurate estimate of the costs involved and any associated insurance premiums. It’s also a good idea not to sign any contracts until you have done your research. Then you can be confident that your new pool will meet your expectations and will last for years to come.