Merewether Ocean Baths, Newcastle: Opening times and costs
The Merewether Ocean Baths in Newcastle are the biggest ocean baths in the Southern Hemisphere. Best of all, they’re free and open 24 hours a day.
What are the Merewether Ocean Baths?
The Merewether Ocean Baths are one of several ocean baths within Newcastle, New South Wales. But while the others can argue over which has the prettiest location, this particular swimming spot has an undeniable claim to fame. It is the biggest ocean baths in the southern hemisphere.
The Merewether Ocean Baths first opened in 1935. They are carved out of the coastline at the southern end of Mereweather Beach, with the ocean swells smashing into the surrounding rocks. This Newcastle pool has long been a lap-swimmer’s dream.
How big are the Merewether Ocean Baths?
The distinctive feature of this giant pool is the size. The Mereweather Ocean Baths measure 100m by 50m.
That means ten lanes can be set aside for lap swimming, front-crawlers ploughing through 50 metre lengths, with an another enormous half of the pool set aside for leisure swimmers and splashers.
Merewether Ocean baths opening hours
Another surprising feature of this remarkable ocean pool is that it is open 24 hours a day. You can come for a swim in the middle of the night if you want to, although lifeguard service is restricted to sane daylight hours. The changing rooms usually close at 7pm, too.
9 cool Newcastle experiences you need to book in advance
- An Adventure boat cruise along the Hunter coast – with thrills and scenery.
- A mobile phone-based scavenger hunt – explore the city differently.
- An architecture and street art walking tour – see all the best murals.
- A whale-watching tour – get close to the migrating humpback whales.
- A two hour city highlights tour by bus – get orientated when you first arrive.
- A scenic helicopter flight – see the spectacular coastline from above.
- A three hour craft beer and food-matching tour – get a taste of the drinking and dining scene.
- A food, drink and history walking tour – hear stories and indulge at the same time.
How much does it cost to use the Merewether Ocean Baths?
There’s also no charge to use the Mereweather Ocean Baths. Entry is free. You can just rock up, strip down to your swimwear and go for a big swim.
Merewether Ocean Baths cleaning schedule
The pool closes for one day a week, so it can be cleaned. This day is usually Thursday.
You can visit Merewether Ocean Baths on the 6km Bathers Way walk from Nobbys Beach, which goes past the Newcastle Memorial Walk and Bar Beach along the route.
Other great oceanside swimming pools in New South Wales include the Aslings Beach Rock Pool in Eden, Wylie’s Baths in Coogee, the Bermagui Blue Pool and the Blowhole Point Ocean Pool in Kiama.
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