Sydney swim spots reopen just in time for summer

3 months ago 5

Sydneysiders have more places to dip their toes after the long-awaited reopening of two popular swim spots and the addition of a new site in the city’s north.

The reopening of Sydney’s much-loved “city beach” Marrinawi Cove, Penrith Beach, nicknamed “Pondi”, and the newly opened Bedlam Bay means all three swimming locations will be operating this summer.

Swimmers enjoying a dip at Bedlam Bay, Penrith Beach and Marrinawi Cove.

Marrinawi Cove, at the north-east corner of Barangaroo Reserve, has reopened to Sydneysiders after it closed in October for safety and expansion upgrades. Some swimmers had complained that the sandstone blocks around the waterway were crowded and slippery.

It now has an additional 150 square metres of swimming space and a swim length of up to 45 metres.

There is a new outdoor shower as well as a non-slip platform, integrated sandstone stairs, handrails, and a ladder to enter and exit the water. Every weekend from December 6 until March there will also be free live music and pop-up shops selling gelato and coffee.

The upgrade was funded by developer contributions.

Marrinawi Cove is open after being closed in October for safety upgrades.

NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully said that Sydney has “more options than ever” for those wanting to cool off with a quick dip.

“The reopened Marrinawi Cove, joining the newly opened Bedlam Bay and soon to reopen Penrith Beach, will give more people places to swim close to home,” Scully said.

Marrinawi Cove was the first new harbour swim site to open west of the bridge in 50 years when a ban on swimming at the spot was lifted in 2023.

Penrith Beach

Nicknamed “Pondi”, Penrith Beach is western Sydney’s answer to swim spots.

Locals will have access to the beach for the third summer in a row when it reopens from Sunday through to April. It will have extended hours, from 7am to 7pm, and new onsite amenities such as shaded seating areas and outdoor showers.

Since it was opened in December 2023, Penrith Beach has attracted more than 330,000 visitors.

Courtney Houssos, acting minister for western Sydney, said the government recognised that western Sydney families were “in need of high-quality open spaces”.

“We have seen Penrith Beach boom in popularity over the past two years, with more than 330,000 people voting with their feet and enjoying this new swim spot,” she said.

Bedlam Bay

Last week the state government and Hunters Hill Council unveiled a fresh new netted swimming enclosure along the Parramatta River.

Bedlam Bay in Gladesville is located at the base of the Parramatta River Regional Park and was a swim site as far back as 1866 before being demolished in 1956 when a pool was built above the nearby oval.

Bedlam Bay was delivered under the Parramatta River Masterplan. The popular Dawn Fraser Baths in Balmain, Putney Beach and Cabarita Park Beach are some of the other swim sites along the river.

Two more swim spots are in the pipeline too – tidal baths at Callan Park in the inner west are slated to open next year, and Mort Bay in Birchgrove has been flagged as another possibility.

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