Did you know that the Roseville Baths was a popular North Shore recreation destination for five decades? Many locals learned to swim at this swimming spot as children before it was demolished to make way for a new Roseville Bridge.
Actually, it was the original Roseville Bridge, built in 1924, that allowed more people to visit the baths. At that time, the old Roseville Bridge was regarded as the longest bridge made of reinforced concrete piles in New South Wales.
The bridge was a convenient replacement for the rowboats that ferried passengers along the narrowest section of the Middle Harbour since the 1800s, after the arrival of the European settlers. The opening of first Roseville Bridge, which connected Babbage Road to Healey Way, allowed cars to cross North Shore to Northern Beaches with ease.
As more people visited the Roseville Baths, the mayor of Kuring-gai then launched swimming programs to boost activities whilst the locals also sought upgrades to the facilities. In the 1930s, expansions to the baths included an Olympic-sized pool, a diving tower, and decks.
However, in 1974 the old Roseville Bridge and the Roseville Baths were demolished amidst the increasing water pollution that impacted the swimming sites around Middle Harbour.
All that remains of the Roseville Baths is the track that opens to the clearing and part of the seawall, now filled with outcrops. The same track continues toward the pylons of the new Roseville Bridge which also leads to a picnic spot and BBQ facilities in Echo Point Park.
In 2015, Kuring-gai Council reinforced the original seawall that was once part of the baths and bridge. This seawall is valued for its heritage significance.
Published 21 January 2023