In the realm of local infrastructure projects, there are frequent cost blowouts and logistical difficulties. But then there are projects like North Sydney Olympic Pool, which exemplify the best and worst of municipal politics.
It’s a Sydney icon, the kind of place that inspires reminiscences in every suburb, with residents waxing poetic about whiling away their halcyon childhoods there; about swimming lessons delivered under threats of being swept out to sea; and about graduating from these shallow enclaves into the great, beckoning expanse of the open ocean – a rite of passage.
Built in the 1920s above the high water mark, MacCallum Pool is one of Sydney’s oldest and most iconic harbour pools. The historic 33-metre pool straddles the edge of Cremorne Point, providing stunning views over the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. There are plenty of shaded spots to sit back and relax after a swim.
It was a popular spot to visit when I lived in Sydney in the ’90s, and it’s still just as popular today. It’s a little on the small side (just two lanes wide) but it’s long enough for laps, and it has that classic, old-school vibe that’s so appealing. You can even catch some rays on the deck chairs around the edges of the pool, if the sun’s out.
The best part about this pool is that it’s always warm – perfect for a post-work dip. It’s also a little off the tourist trail, so it feels a bit more authentic than some of the bigger pool spots in town.
This is a pool for the people of Sydney, and it’s a beautiful spot to spend some time on a sunny afternoon. It’s the kind of place where you can imagine yourself in a summery coming-of-age film, and you can get some serious exercise without feeling like you’re working up a sweat.
The only downside is that the pool is closed for four months in the colder period – May through August – but it’s well worth the trip to swim in this beautiful pool. It’s a bit pricey, but it’s hard to put a price on the experience of visiting Icebergs – it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime Sydney experience. And if you can’t splash out on a ticket, there are plenty of places nearby to get a drink and soak up the atmosphere. The water is chemically treated and heated to a comfortable 25 degrees, so it’s the perfect spot for a refreshing dip.
