Back Beach Ocean Bath

Statement of Significance

The Ocean Beach Baths , a concrete swimming pool situated on the beach and filled with ocean water, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
• The public baths were established by the Bunbury Municipal Council for the use of residents and tourists and demonstrates the commitment of the local government in providing safe swimming and recreational facilities;
• The Ocean Beach Baths were a focal point of community activity and reflects the continuing popularity of Bunbury as a holiday resort in the early 1900s.

Physical Description

Rectangular concrete ocean swimming bath/pool. It had depths varying from 45 cm to 1.8 m.

History

The first land grants at Bunbury were taken up in 1830 when an expedition navigated the Collie River to the Darling Range in search of fertile property. Governor James Stirling became the largest landowner in the area, when he was granted more than 20,000 acres of fertile land. Settlement of the region began in 1838, when John Scott was brought out to farm Stirling's land to fulfil the conditions of the land grant. In 1852, Stirling sold a half share of his holdings in his Leschenault Estate (Location 26) and the land was gradually subdivided and sold off.
The townsite of Bunbury was surveyed and gazetted in 1841. It remained a small town until the arrival of the gold boom in the 1890s and the growth of the timber industry. This saw the emergence of Bunbury as a seaside health resort, nicknamed ‘the Brighton of the Colony’. The population of the town grew in this time from 572 to 2970 residents.

The Baths
The Baths were constructed by the Bunbury City Council to provide a safe modern ocean swimming bath for the Bunbury Residents and visitors to the town.

The location and design of the baths was flawed and the baths continuously filled with beach sand. “It should never have been built there – in winter the waves were constantly smashing over it and wearing it away,”

“There was an inlet pipe pumping water in from the ocean and in summer two blokes from the water board had to swim out and clear away all the seaweed from the filter almost every morning.”
As this was an ongoing issue with a large maintenance cost involved the baths were left to ruin for some years until 1937.
A 1937 newspaper article reports that a 9500 pound loan was raised to carry out works to the dilapidated baths. Part of this loan was to repair the baths that had been overrun by sand.

For almost as long as people have enjoyed swimming at Back Beach, there has been a desire to build a safe, still water swimming pool (or baths) on its beach. In 1907 the council voted to build baths here, but the plan was abandoned in favour of the Bunbury Baths
adjacent to the jetty.

When those baths closed, Bunbury City Council built a modern ocean swimming pool here at the cost of £1500, which opened in January 1936. It was built out of concrete and primarily designed for children, with depths varying from 45 cm to 1.8 m, however, it was frequented by adult swimmers too.

Unfortunately, almost as soon as it opened, it experienced problems. Water was pumped from the ocean through a 15 cm pipe to the pool, but the pipes became frequently clogged with seaweed. And through the action of the waves, the pool was continuously filling with sand.

Due to World War Two, upkeep costs were too high and a severe storm damaged the pool beyond repair so it was left to ruin. Despite the loss of the pool, Back Beach remains a popular swimming spot to this day.

“ The baths are constructed in the worst position which could have been chosen. It will be interesting to see what will happen in the winter when high tides and northwest gales will completely sweep away the hundred yards or so of sand six to seven feet deep now lying between the baths and the sea.”– South Western Times, 22 February 1936

“ On the western side of the high lands is the famous Back Beach, a place where Neptune plays boisterously with surfers. For those who do not like his playful way there is a peaceful swimming pool on the beach.”
– Sunday Times, 12 November 1939

Archaeology

Historic ruins/remnants of original ocean bath

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Low
Authenticity: Medium
Date of survey: 29/07/2022

Condition

Poor

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.