Forster Ocean Baths, known to locals as the Bull Ring, is a 1930s ocean pool on Main Beach, built by Depression relief workers and barely changed since. It's free, close to the town centre and a calm, sociable alternative to the surf.
Key facts
- Type
- Ocean pool or baths
- Facilities and access
- Main Beach has shaded barbecue areas and public amenities
- Cost
- Free
- Lifeguards
- Not at the pool
- Best time to go
- Calm days, mid to high tide
- Town
- Forster, NSW
What it's like
The baths were built over a sheltered rocky swimming hole near Second Head, and they still have that old-fashioned, community feel, with regulars doing their laps and families floating in the calm. The surf beach is right beside them. Stroud Shire Council built them with relief workers, opening them to the public in December 1935 and officially on 18 January 1936. A dance casino and tearooms were added soon after, though those buildings are long gone.
When to go
Calm days at mid to high tide. Early mornings bring out the regulars.
Getting there and facilities
The baths are at Main Beach, Forster, close to the town centre, with shaded barbecue areas and public amenities on the foreshore. Cafes and the town centre are a short walk away.
Good to know
There are no lifeguards at the baths, though Forster Main Beach is patrolled in season. The rocks are slippery.