How much fun has my family had at Northbridge Baths over the years???
It’s a great little spot, much loved by local families and it was a home away from home for us for the years we lived close by.
View from the western side of the walkway around the Baths – divine
We’ve moved further away now, but we still visit every summer. Now that all my kids swim well, it’s becomes an almost-relaxing place to visit.
I still have to keep a close eye on them but it’s great to be able to swim around with them, jump off the boardwalks etc etc
NB People might called this place Northbridge Beach, but it’s properly called Northbridge Baths.
You can see the change rooms on the right hand side and the beach as it is at low tide
The one downside to Northbridge Baths is the steep hill down from the car park… and the lack of a cafe is sad too.
It’s pretty hard going with a stroller, by the way, especially on the way back to the carpark, but worth it.
Here you can see one end of the 50m lap section
Anyway, here are the updated details.
Northbridge Baths
Widgiewa Road
Northbridge 2063
Phone: 9958 7915
Northbridge Baths Opening Hours: Baths open all year round 24 hours a day. Toilet blocks opened approximately 6am – 6pm.
Northbridge Baths is an enclosed area of beach and water in calm and scenic Middle Harbour. Surrounded by bobbing yachts and wooded slopes, the baths are enclosed by a wooden boardwalk.
There is a good area of shallow water for children to run and splash about in, then deeper waters with marked lanes and a diving area.
The eastern end of the 50 m laps section
There is a large area of beach for playing plus an extensive grassy area. Tables, chairs and sun-loungers are set out under shade and there is plenty of space to sit on the stepped terrace seating by the beach. There are gas barbecues.
NB: The baths are unsupervised so you do need to keep a very close eye on the kids.
NB 2: Best not to swim for three days after heavy rain… council also says to check water quality when you visit. It’s usually good but like all Sydney’s beaches avoid after rain.
Cafe: No, sadly, there used to be one when you paid to enter, but no longer
Toilets: Large change room with benches, toilets and hot showers
Shade: Plenty on grassy areas from shadecloth and trees
Playground: No, but grassy space to kick a ball
Mum’s report: Lots and lots of space for the kids to run around and play makes this a great spot to meet up with friends
Extras: The Northbridge Amateur Swimming Club welcomes swimmers for their many squads and races, see all the info in the comment below.
Northbridge Baths Parking: Free carpark on Widgiewa Road, just above the baths. It’s a steep walk down! Can be hard to park on sunny days and public holidays. Go early or late, or in middle of day when little kids have gone home to sleep.
Leaping in is a great joy whatever your age
The views around Middle Harbour are another delight of Northbridge Baths
Have you visited Northbridge Baths? Is there another baths or rock pools that is a special place for your family?
Whee! In he goes!
The grassy and shaded areas, rather busy here
Our family has played many games of cricket here
And cricket has been played here too. This is low tide, plenty of space to dig holes and build sandcastles
PS There’s a terrific playground in Northbridge that is ideal for toddlers and preschoolers, the fully fenced John Roche Playground in Northbridge Park, click here to read all about it!
Check out our Sydney Big Beaches Map showing all the beaches detailed on this website, on a map and then listed by area. Find the Sydney Beaches Map here.
Seana
Update from a friend of mine who swims there in the very early mornings. She says she’ll miss the kiosk but is glad to get in now before 6am as she can start before the squad swimmers do.
‘The waters beautiful. The sand castles are waiting to be built and it’s still a beautiful spot to come too. The people who did the kayaking are still organising it to depart from next to the baths a few mornings during the week and on weekends but they don’t have the on-site presence that they had when they were also running the baths.’
Amy
It looks like a great place for the kids to play!
We have a great little place kind off like it here. The kids love going.
Jess
I wish we had a place like that near us! You can’t swim in the sea in Darwin because there are either crocs or jelly fish or both.
And I can’t wait till all my kids can swim. My three year old had a scare in the pool today, and it’s made me nervous.
Seana
One of the greatest times for mums is when the kids have learned to swim, it’s such a huge relief. Hope this happens soon or your wee one.
Loved your darwin wave pool and wee beach though, but yes, it is tough not to be able to just chuck yourself into the ocean.
Seana
Hi, another comment from a friend: ‘When I compare to Greenwich Baths, Northbridge is bigger, with better parking, better pram access and way better toilets. But Greenwich is better for shade, sand toys are supplied and now Greenwich is the only one with a cafe.’
I must go and photograph Greenwich soon!
Daisy
The baths look like a great place to take the kids! Mine would have a field day going up and down those steps, I’m sure!
Northbridge Swimming Club
Hi Seana
We couldn’t agree more that the baths are a magical place. The Northbridge Amateur swimming club has been running swimming races on Saturday mornings at the baths for 86 years. It’s a wonderful community with all welcome to swim in the handicap races (we have swimmers aged 3 to 83). We also swim in squads 3 days a week at 6am which is a great way to start the day.
I think the most exciting things about this year are that the baths have free entry, are open all the time and to correct the earlier posts the Kiosk will be open this year with the Swimming club running it serving really good coffee and snacks etc. We start races and open the kiosk tomorrow (22/10).
I hope to see you down there soon. Races start 8am Saturday.
Regards
NASC
Seana
Thanks so much, I will make some alterations to the blog post just now to reflect this. Info greatly appreciated.
Tori
How much does it cost in Novemeber????
Seana
No cost at all, entrance is free this year.
Jessica
Can we bring our well behaved puppy on a leash?
Seana
I think not, pretty sure dogs aren’t allowed. Have a look at the Willoughby Council website http://www.willoughbyleisure.com.au/facilities/northbridge-baths/ There’s a number you could call to check, but generally dogs not allowed where kids playing, on beaches etc
Joni
Is it still free to visit Northbridge Baths? Thanks for the great info!
Seana Smith
I’m sure it is, especially in winter, they only used to charge in summer. Always good to check council website though, it’s a long way down to find out it’s all closed up!
Jane Whitelaw
March update – still free, still hot showers, swimming club run the kiosk saturday mornings. There are also 2 bbq’s, Its 50meters in the lap section for those wanting to practice for swimming carnivals.
Seana Smith
Thank you Jane that is great to read! Thank you very much for keeping the post current. Swimming laps there is so good.
Keith Johnson
Hi Seana
It was great to see this site. When I was a young boy in the late 40’s and 50’s (now 77) we would walk from Willoughby through Castelgrag and across the mud flats west of the baths to get there. A schoolmate and his family lived in the boatshed next door to the baths which I see is still there. Somtimes we would ride our bikes down the steep hill to the entrance of the baths.
We had such great times at the baths especially when the diving tower was in the eastern corner. And we swam in the swimming races organised by members of the club.
Seana Smith
Lovely to hear from you Keith and to hear your happy memories of Northbridge Baths.
Have you heard of the book ‘The Memory Pool,’ by Therese Spruhan. It’s a collection of stories about childhood pools by all sorts of people, collected by Therese, who writes her own story of her childhood spent at Northbridge.