Newcastle Ocean Baths

The heritage value of Newcastle Ocean Baths has been one of the key focus points in the development of Stage Two, beginning with the engagement of the industry leading Tonkin Zulaikha Greer to develop the plans for Stage Two.

The Stage Two concept design further celebrates the unique character of the Newcastle Ocean Baths whilst ensuring that modern and sustainable solutions are also included.

• The art deco façade will be preserved as a result of significant and substantial investment in engineering works to ensure we can celebrate and enjoy this important piece of history for many years to come.
• The facility's new roof design celebrates the architectural themes and history of the site, meeting best practice for heritage adaptation as a visually distinct element from the sites existing fabric.
• The concept plans deliver a sensitive adaptation that maintains a best practice approach to modern design for safety, maintenance, and sustainability.

Yes!

The concept plan outlines provisions for two new shade structures, each option delivering a diverse seating arrangement that caters to big and small groups. The new designs draw inspiration from the existing structures, designed to offer protection from the sun, wind and rain.

The shade structures will be located alongside the Canoe Pool and will replace the existing structures. The structures will have a mix of tables and seating to amplify and diversify usage for the community.

We acknowledge the 2025 petition lodged by Friends of Newcastle Ocean Baths regarding Stage Two of our upgrade. We also recognise that feedback received from the community throughout previous consultation has presented strong and diverse views both for and against the introduction of a roof over the amenities.

The concept plan has been developed with careful consideration of technical, financial, social, environmental, and heritage factors. It aims to celebrate the Bath’s heritage features while ensuring the facility remains functional and enjoyable for years to come. 

The proposed design maintains best practice modern design principles for safety, maintenance and sustainability, delivering a solution that prioritises open-air amenity through natural ventilation and maximised natural lighting. The facility's new roof will also protect the much-loved façade, sheltering the structure from the harsh coastal environment.

The inclusion of a roof on the amenities building aligns with international, best practice guidelines for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). The design reduces the likelihood of crime by minimising the opportunity to commit a crime, increasing the likelihood of being caught and controlling access across the site.  The new roof design will proactively protect the privacy of change room users, especially children and vulnerable people, rather than relying on penalties for drone operators who break CASA rules after the fact.

The existing amenities at the Newcastle Ocean Baths feature open-space change rooms and shower facilities, which offer limited privacy for users, including children. To address this, the proposed design introduces a more inclusive layout. It retains open-space changing and showering areas while incorporating enclosed shower facilities with adjacent change spaces to enhance privacy. Additionally, the design includes family change rooms equipped with accessible features and a ‘changing places’ facility, ensuring the needs of a diverse range of users are met.

The petition was tabled for discussion at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 26 August 2025. You can read more about the meeting and view the associated documents on our website.

The façade has undergone many colour changes throughout its rich history, the modern teal look and detailing of the facility is a relatively recent addition to the facility's life. In respecting the facility's heritage value and as part of restoring the façade, the colour has changed to a palette closer to how it was originally painted. Significant heritage expertise has been required to derive the new colour palette, working through years of historic photographic records and documentation.

We worked with Heritage NSW as part of the State Heritage listing process to ensure suitability of the new palette. We understand the community's fondness for the teal colour, and in response to the facade's colour change have incorporated teal into the facility's wayfinding signage and new bleacher in the public domain. These design choices deliver an integrated concept that respects both the old and new features of our historic facility.

Yes!

Historic records show that the Newcastle Ocean Baths were initially leased to an operator, with an entrance fee charged from 1918 until 1953 when City of Newcastle took back control of the baths.

A Notice of Motion was carried unanimously at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 23 February 2021 reaffirming the current Council's enduring commitment to maintaining both the Newcastle Ocean Baths and Merewether Ocean Baths as safe, free public facilities, accessible to all Novocastrians regardless of socio-economic status, gender, age, mobility or background.