Newcastle is fortunate enough to have two ocean baths facilities, Newcastle and Merewether, that sit on its pristine coastline and are open year round for the community to enjoy. Newcastle Ocean and Merewether Baths both have a long history as popular swimming spots. Newcastle Ocean Baths was opened in 1922 and Merewether Baths in 1935.
The baths are open all year round, subject to maintenance and cleaning. We clean, manage and maintain these facilities and always try to find the balance between availability and cleanliness. At present, both Newcastle and Merewether are cleaned weekly and the cleaning schedule is available under Documents. Newcastle Ocean Baths, due to its age, is closed for three to four weeks in winter for scheduled maintenance.
Merewether Ocean Baths
Cleaning Schedule
Merewether Ocean Baths are cleaned every 2nd Monday and every Thursday during the season.
Lifeguard and changeroom hours
- No lifeguards on duty at Merewether Ocean Baths during winter season, from 19 April until 17 September 2021
- Changerooms close at 7pm daily
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Newcastle Ocean Baths
Cleaning Schedule
Newcastle Ocean Baths are cleaned every Wednesday
Entry into the pool area during scheduled cleaning times is prohibited.
Lifeguard and changeroom hours
- 8am to 4.30pm - 19 April 2021 to 17 September 2021
- Changerooms close at 7pm daily
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If you have any requests or concerns regarding the cleaning of Newcastle's Beaches and Ocean Baths facilities please contact us on (02) 4974 2000.
Water Quality
We routinely monitor four ocean baths throughout the year for water quality; these are Merewether Main Pool, Merewether Learners Pool, Canoe Pool and Newcastle Ocean Baths.
The cleanliness of the facility is heavily influenced by the water temperature and usage. During summer, warmer water accelerates algae growth resulting in an unsightly build up on the walls in the splash zone. While this results in the appearance of an unclean pool, regular testing indicates that the water quality is acceptable for public swimming. It should be noted that the water quality is heavily influenced by the naturally occurring water quality of the ocean and the debris present.
There is a balance between the need to flush out the water in the pool, keeping the water at an acceptable level and the risk of introducing discoloured water from the ocean. Council staff continuously monitor the cleanliness of both Ocean Baths facilities and work within the numerous constraints to achieve a balance between availability and cleanliness.
Event Bookings
Newcastle beaches and ocean baths are regularly used for:
- Major sporting and social events
- Motion picture filming
- Swimwear and other fashion shoots
- Artists
- Swimming carnivals
- Wedding parties
- Family and social functions.
You need to get an event licence from City of Newcastle to hold any event at Newcastle's Beaches or Ocean Baths (excluding small informal events).
Please contact Customer Service on 02 4974 2000 to enquire about your booking.
Winter Swimming Clubs
Winter Swimming Clubs train and compete at both Ocean Baths. The 'Merewether Mackerels' and 'Dixon Park Coldies' swim all year round, even during the cooler winter water temperatures.
For more information on getting involved with either of these clubs, please contact the lifeguard on duty at Merewether Ocean Baths or Newcastle Ocean Baths.
Frequently Asked Questions
Replacement of the water and cleaning is programmed to occur weekly. The time and dates of the cleaning is displayed at the facility. The time taken to fill a pool after cleaning on any given day can vary and is dependent on the weather and surf conditions.
See the cleaning schedules listed at the top of this page.
The tasks performed during the weekly cleaning process include:
- Emptying of the pool to remove dirty water
- Removal of debris such as seaweed and rubbish from pool floor
- Cleaning and whitewashing walls
- Back blade (brush) sand floor with machinery
- Clean all access ramps, stairs and handrails
- Removal of shellfish
- Maintenance on gates, pumps, water inlet/outlet
- Pool refill (up to 10hrs)
While City of Newcastle schedules weekly cleaning of the Ocean Baths, the ability to clean the pool is highly dependent on surf conditions, tidal heights and weather conditions. For example, sometimes we experience a higher than normal low tide resulting in the inability to empty the pool.
In the event a clean cannot occur as scheduled, it will be deferred until the following scheduled cleaning day or take place on an alternative day if required. We understand that conducting the clean on an unscheduled day is disruptive to regular users and always aim to minimise disruption. From time to time the pools must be cleaned on unscheduled days to avoid long shutdowns.
Cleaning occurs weekly to achieve a balance between ensuring the facility is available to the public while providing a clean facility to users. The weekly clean generally lasts up to seven days if the natural filtration is consistent and we don’t experience long hot weather spells. Consistent heavy rain will also impact on the water quality longevity and can interrupt the routine cleaning schedule which results in unscheduled shutdowns and additional cleaning.
Cleaning of the pool is highly dependent on surf conditions and weather. During high tide it is not possible to empty the pool safely and perform the required work within the pool. In addition, washing the walls is ineffective when water is entering the pool over the wall. The walls require time to dry which impacts on the downtime of the pools during cleaning. By cleaning during low tide, we can ensure that the pool is cleaned to the best possible outcome.
The pool walls are washed on a weekly basis, however the cleanliness of the walls is heavily influenced by the water temperature and level of usage. During summer, warmer water accelerates algae growth, resulting in a build-up on the walls. The sand bottom gives rise to turbidity which is greater in warmer months when usage is higher. Re-applying whitewash outside of the regular cleans would require closing the pool which is why this task occurs only during the scheduled weekly clean.
Yes, however sand naturally flushes in and out of the pools with the incoming and outgoing tides, as well as during environment events such as large swells and storms. Generally the sand is monitored for depth and cleanliness and removed when required. In addition to the regular weekly clean, once a year during winter, Newcastle Ocean Baths is closed for a minimum of one week for a thorough cleanout. During this clean any added sand is swept out of the baths to improve water quality and reduce any odour associated with the build-up of sand.
Water quality is heavily influenced by the naturally occurring water quality of the ocean and the debris present. The water quality is closely monitored and is generally acceptable for public swimming. The onsite pumps can assist in filtering and cleanliness, however they can only operate during mid to high tides and as such are unfortunately not always able to be used. There is always a balance between the need to flush out the water in the pool, keeping the water at an acceptable level and the risk of introducing discoloured water from the ocean.
During regular cleaning the changerooms and bathroom facilities remain open however all access points and the immediate pool area are closed off to allow adequate space to operate tools, plant and equipment.
As it is not connected to a pump, the pool is refilled naturally by daily high tide events. The water quality is monitored and removed as necessary.