When we lived in NSW, I wrote a blog mapping all the ocean pools that line the NSW coast. Many of them have great stories to tell both from the days when they were built and up to the present day when a community of swimmers still uses most of them every day. There’s less outdoor swimming in Victoria, but there are some wonderful vintage indoor swimming pools so Vintage Victoria will be visiting both outdoor and indoor pools provided they have a good story to tell or are housed in a beautiful old building. With swimming pools, I am broadening my definition of ‘vintage’ up to the 1950s or maybe even 60s as sometimes pools built then still retain their vintage feel and have a local community that remains attached to them. If your local pool fits the bill and I haven’t been there yet, drop me a line so I can add it to the list. And tell me your story of learning to swim there or of the antics you got up to as a youngster (or oldster) in bygone days.
Middle Brighton Sea Baths
The current Middle Brighton Sea Baths date from 1936, after the older ones, built in the 1880s, were destroyed in a storm. The last remaining one of its kind down this side of the Bay.
Maryborough Outdoor Pool
Maryborough's art deco swimming pool opened in 1940 and was an inspiration to other towns in Victoria looking to improve their swimming facilities. Vintage grandstand and bandstand in view, too.
Brunswick Baths
The 1920s frontage of Brunswick Baths remains a local landmark. Most of the swimming pools have been rebuilt several times over the decades but the brick wall along the side is of 1914 vintage.
Essendon Swimming Pool – Queens Park, Moonee Ponds
This 1950s outdoor swimming pool in the beautiful Queens Park near Moonee Ponds was built in that wave of post-Olympics enthusiasm for swimming in Australia. Don't miss the vintage turnstiles.
Ovens River swimming pool – Bright
They've been swimming in the Ovens River at Bright since the gold miners left the area a good while ago. Popular spot on a hot day, and with good reason - such clear water
Vaughan Springs Swimming Hole
Thousands used to come to Vaughan Springs for a day out when the swimming hole was first created in the late 1920s, with bathing beauty contests and brass bands in the 50s. Very quiet now.
City Baths – Melbourne
Fabulous 1904 building in the centre of Melbourne housing a stunning indoor swimming pool with lots of original features, including one of the 'slipper baths' needed to keep Melbourne residents clean!
Eastern Beach Baths, Geelong
Built in the 1920s, the Eastern Beach Baths in Geelong are almost as popular in 2018 as they were in the heyday of ocean swimming in Victoria. Lovely art deco features include the Promenade boardwalk.
Middle Brighton Sea Baths
The current Middle Brighton Sea Baths date from 1936, after the older ones, built in the 1880s, were destroyed in a storm. The last remaining one of its kind down this side of the Bay.
Maryborough Outdoor Pool
Maryborough's art deco swimming pool opened in 1940 and was an inspiration to other towns in Victoria looking to improve their swimming facilities. Vintage grandstand and bandstand in view, too.
Brunswick Baths
The 1920s frontage of Brunswick Baths remains a local landmark. Most of the swimming pools have been rebuilt several times over the decades but the brick wall along the side is of 1914 vintage.
Essendon Swimming Pool – Queens Park, Moonee Ponds
This 1950s outdoor swimming pool in the beautiful Queens Park near Moonee Ponds was built in that wave of post-Olympics enthusiasm for swimming in Australia. Don't miss the vintage turnstiles.
Ovens River swimming pool – Bright
They've been swimming in the Ovens River at Bright since the gold miners left the area a good while ago. Popular spot on a hot day, and with good reason - such clear water
Vaughan Springs Swimming Hole
Thousands used to come to Vaughan Springs for a day out when the swimming hole was first created in the late 1920s, with bathing beauty contests and brass bands in the 50s. Very quiet now.
City Baths – Melbourne
Fabulous 1904 building in the centre of Melbourne housing a stunning indoor swimming pool with lots of original features, including one of the 'slipper baths' needed to keep Melbourne residents clean!
Eastern Beach Baths, Geelong
Built in the 1920s, the Eastern Beach Baths in Geelong are almost as popular in 2018 as they were in the heyday of ocean swimming in Victoria. Lovely art deco features include the Promenade boardwalk.