McIver's Ladies Baths

McIver’s Ladies Baths is a historic women and children-only ocean pool on the southern side of Coogee Beach in Sydney. Formally established in 1876, it is described by the venue as the only outdoor ocean swimming venue in continuous use in the Southern Hemisphere specifically reserved for women and children, with boys permitted up to 13. Its stated purpose is to provide a safe, welcoming place to swim, relax and build water-safety skills.

The Baths sit on a cliff face and rock platform between Ross Jones Memorial Pool and Wylie’s Baths, with views across the ocean and screening from much of the surrounding area. Access is via steps from Grant Reserve near the children’s playground, with two stairways leading to the southern and northern ends of the site. Facilities include a 32.9-metre sea pool, indoor and outdoor change areas, showers, toilets, a sunbathing area, small grassed spaces and a clubhouse. The Sunroom is set aside as a quiet area, and the venue hosts yoga sessions there on Wednesday and Friday mornings and Saturday mornings, according to the listed schedule.

This is a place with a strong community history. Women used the naturally occurring swimming site from the 1830s, before Randwick Council developed it and officially opened it as a private women’s bathing place in 1876. Robert and Rose McIver operated the Baths from 1918, and Rose later helped establish the Randwick and Coogee Ladies Amateur Swimming Club. The pool also has a connection to early competitive swimming: Fanny Durack and Mina Wylie trained here before winning gold and silver medals at the 1912 Olympic Games, the first Olympics to allow women to compete in swimming. The Randwick & Coogee Ladies Swimming Association has managed the facility since 2017, with the site supported by volunteers and council Bushcare volunteers.

McIver’s welcomes women of all backgrounds, cultures, abilities, trans women and girls, and sexual orientations, with conditions of entry requiring respect between patrons. It suits solo swimmers, women meeting for a quiet dip, and families looking for a dedicated swimming space. The venue asks visitors to protect the privacy and calm of the Baths: photography, nudity, smoking, vaping, alcohol and loud music are not permitted. Entry is deliberately low-cost, and the site offers single entries, a 10-swim card and annual swim passes. Visitors should check the venue’s social media for current operating information before setting out.