McIvers Baths

The McIver Women's Baths, also known as Coogee Women's Pool and Ladies Baths, is a heritage-listed ocean pool located in Grant Reserve, Coogee, New South Wales, Australia.

It was deepened and formalized in the late 19th century to provide women with a safe swimming facility. The baths are accessed from Grants Reserve and are surrounded by dense landscaping and concrete pathways. Several facilities and amenities buildings are also present.

The baths have been in use since the 1830s and were officially recognized in 1876. They have been popular among women as a secluded bathing spot and later as a private swimming venue. Notably, Fanny Durack and Mina Wylie, who learned to swim at this venue, went on to win gold and silver medals at the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games.

Positioned on the ocean's edge, the McIver Women's Baths offer panoramic views of the surrounding beaches, bays, and cliffs. The pool, which is approximately 20 meters in length, is impacted by the tide and waves, providing a challenging swimming experience. The site is aesthetically pleasing and includes facilities and amenities buildings.

The McIver Women's Baths hold state heritage significance due to their association with Fanny Durack and Mina Wylie, their natural and aesthetic characteristics, and their social and cultural value to the female community of New South Wales. They have been in continuous use since the 1830s and are reportedly the only remaining swimming venue specifically reserved for women in the state. In 1995, the baths were granted an exemption under the Anti-Discrimination Act to continue as a women-only swimming venue. This privacy has attracted a diverse range of women,