Then and now: historical photos show more than a century of NSW ocean pools

Avalon ocean baths in the 1920s and 2014. Few people lived in the suburb even into the 1920s, most visitors were weekenders. The pool has been gradually built up over the past 100 years, widening and deepening the original rockpool.

Avalon ocean baths in 1920 and 2014. Photograph: Rex Hazlewood/ State Library of NSW + Alamy

Before and after image of the bogie hole in Newcastle

The bogie hole in Newcastle was built in the 19th century using convict labour. It is one of the oldest ocean baths in Australia. Photograph: Braggett Collection, Cultural Collections, the University of Newcastle + Getty Images

An undated image of Bondi icebergs winter club swimming races and in 2020

Bondi Icebergs winter swimming club races in 1946 and in 2008. The club, which famously opens the winter season by throwing blocks of ice in the pool, last year celebrated its 90th anniversary. Photograph: State Library of NSW + Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Newcastle

Newcastle ocean baths in 1953 and again in 2019. In the 1953 photo a horse is being used to dredge sand out of the emptied pool. Maintenance, particularly preventing the buildup of sand and seaweed, is a constant challenge for ocean pools. Photograph: State Library of NSW/Newcastle Morning Herald + Jessica Hromas/The Guardian

Bronte

Bronte baths in 1935 and then in 2020. The Bronte Swimming Club that uses the baths is one of the oldest swimming clubs in Australia. It dates back to 1905 when it began life as the Eastern Suburbs Ladies Swimming Club. Photograph: State Library of NSW/Sam Hood + Carly Earl/The Guardian

Coogee

Giles Baths in Coogee in 1900 and then in 2019. In the 19th century, when mixed bathing was seen as scandalous, the natural rock pool was only frequented by men. In 1928, the baths were sold to Oscar Giles, who built a health centre, hot baths and gym on the site. This was demolished in 2000, leaving just the entrance portico. Photograph: John Henry Harvey/State Library of NSW + Carly Earl/The Guardian

Dee Why

Dee Why baths in 1915 and then in 2020. The pool was recently renamed the Isa Wye rockpool after local Isa Wye for her 85 years of involvement with the Dee Why Ladies’ Amateur Swimming Club. She became the honorary secretary of the swimming club at just 16 and was club president for 50 years, remaining on the committee until she died in 2013, aged 90. Photograph: State Library of NSW + Carly Earl/The Guardian

Manly

An undated image of Fairy Bower sea pool and then in 2019. Sitting halfway along the coastal path between Manly Beach and Shelly Beach, the triangular-shaped baths were built by locals in 1929. Photograph: Manly Library + Carly Earl/The Guardian

Bondi Icebergs in the 1990s and today

Bondi Icebergs in the early 1990s and again in more recent years. By the 1990s the clubhouse had fallen into disrepair. It was rebuilt and reopened in 2002. Photograph: Barry Chapman/Fairfax/Getty + Dallas Kilponen/Fairfax/Getty Images