Oatley Park Baths, on Jewfish Bay off the Georges River, is one of the largest netted swimming enclosures in NSW at about 320 m, set at the edge of a big bushland park. It's free and shady, with swimmers here since 1919 and the original change rooms still in use.
Key facts
- Type
- Harbour or river baths
- Cost
- Free
- Lifeguards
- No
- Best time to go
- Summer, after a dry spell
- Water quality
- GoodJew Fish Bay Baths, 0.4 km away. Sampled 29 Oct. Data: NSW Beachwatch, CC BY 4.0.
- Town
- Oatley, NSW
What it's like
The net encloses a long stretch of calm river water, backed by the bush and sandstone of Oatley Park. There's room for a long swim or just a float, and on weekdays it's often very quiet. People have swum here since 1919, and the baths were largely rebuilt with shark-proof netting in 1930.
When to go
Summer days after a dry spell. Skip it for a few days after heavy rain.
Getting there and facilities
Drive through Oatley Park to the car park, then walk the last stretch, with a ramp and stairs down to the baths. There are change rooms at the baths, and the park has picnic areas, bushwalks and a bike track.
Good to know
Nobody patrols here. River water quality drops after rain.