Towradgi rock pool
The name apparently comes from the Aboriginal word ‘kowradgi’, meaning ‘guardian of the sacred stones’
My experience in the pool
It was a cloudy morning, not long after low tide, for my swim in Towradgi Pool. It’s funny how grey water is never quite as inviting as the blue stuff, and the slipway into the pool had a layer of green slime underfoot which made it look too slippery to risk.
So I opted for the stairs midway along the 50m length of this pool, and joined three or four others: young Aaron on holiday from Yorkshire, with his Nan, who’s lived round here for 44 years; and a couple of older guys quietly doing their laps.
There’s a slight slope to the pool, but not really much depth difference between the shallow end and the deep. The floor of the pool is pretty smooth, other than the occasional clump of seaweed.
Best thing about this pool are its views. It stands on a small promontory meaning you can pause at one end and look northwards up Corrimal Beach or take a breather at the other end for views back along Wollongong Beach, as it curls round to the lighthouse and harbour in the distance.
Oh, and that green slime on the ramp into the pool? Nothing to worry about; I walked out that way without a slip or a slide.
I reckoned this pool might be a completely different place at high tide when the waves must hit it broadsides. So one I returned on another grey day to have a look. There’s a pic in the gallery showing the waves gently coming over the sides, though this was a calm day so it’s probably very different in a strong wind or swell.
Getting there, getting in, getting changed
The pool is right at the end of Towradgi Road, which runs directly east from the Princes Highway (between Fairy Meadow and Corrimal). The actual end of the road is just for cars turning so you need to park in the Bowling Club car park. By train, it’s a short walk from Towradgi Station.
To get in you have the options of the slipway/ramp at the shallower end or vertical steps at the midway point.
There are two fresh water showers about 50m from the pool and changing rooms with more showers which are open dawn to dusk.
Tidal differences
No major differences, on calm days at least! At high tide the waves do come over the side of the pool, though, so you won’t get the smooth swim of low tide.
Other practical points
There’s a viewing area, with two raised levels for spectators or for storing your things while you swim. Judging by the shape of them at one end, I’d guess these had another function once upon a time, but without access to archive photos or locals who’ve been around a while, I couldn’t be sure.
There’s also a shallow paddling pool on the cliff side of the main pool at Towradgi.
History and stories of the pool
This is one of the younger pools down the NSW coast, built in the 1960s. It was built by volunteer labour, and there’s a rather nice plaque stating that it was built in memory of the school children from this area who served in the armed forces in two world wars.
The same plaque also says it was co-funded by the local council and the Coal Board, a reminder of the main industry of this part of the coast until relatively recently.
Another signpost reminds us of the Queen of Nations shipwreck off the headland here in 1881, so well before the pool was conceived of. This Aberdeen (Scotland) ship’s captain and mate had both had a little bit too much of the ship’s cargo of wine and spirits, and let the ship drift onto the rocks here. The wreck is still there to this day.
More recently the local newspaper reported in 2014 on the presence of a wobbegong shark in the pool. See the link below for the story on this one, but nobody got bitten, it seems…
People I met here included:
My only companion on the morning of my swim was a seven year old on holiday from Yorkshire. So check out the link to the local newspaper below, for stories of older regulars to this pool.
What’s your story? Any memories of swimming here? Any stories to tell? Or did you just have swimming lessons in the cold of winter in the 1960s?
Whatever you have to say, however brief, I’d love to hear from you and will add any stories to this section of the site as and when I receive them. Add your comment or story under ‘Leave a Reply’ below.
Links to other articles on this pool
The Illawarra Mercury featured Towradgi pool during its series on rock pools in 2014. This is where the story is of one of the regulars in the water here, plus the unusual visitor (the wobbegong shark).
The NSW Ocean Baths website blogger came here in 2009 as part of his never-completed tour of NSW pools.
Coffee, tea or milkshake after the swim?
The Bowling Club right next to the pool had bingo on the morning I was here so I didn’t want to disturb them…Instead I dropped by Anna’s Delicatessen, a few blocks back towards the Memorial Drive. Anna will do you a decent coffee and nice cheesecake, but make sure you ask her not to make it too hot or it might burn your tongue…
But if you love good coffee, it’s worth going the extra mile to:
Hevan Espresso
177 Princes Highway, Corrimal
Hevan Espresso reviewed by Fancy a Cuppa website
Open 6.30am – 2.30pm Mon-Fri
7.30am – 1.00pm Saturday
Sunday closed
These guys serve up the excellent Single Origin Roasters coffee, and they know what they’re doing with it on the beautiful Marzocco machine. They also offer cold drip and various other ways of preparing the coffee, like aeropress and v60, but their basic flat white or cappuccino is worth the hike (or short drive) from the pool to experience.
Hi I love the site. I am doing the same with 11 of the 60 coastal pools to go. Three kids getting licences so time it with clocking up hours and spending time together. Also born in uk but a 10 pond Pom. Now swimming other pools of the world – one of the best this year is Alvaro Sizas pool in Portugal on the Atlantic coast of Porto – amazing. Thanks for the coffee tips as I have Towdagi to do!
Thanks for the comment Sheridan. Yes, one day I would love to go global too, but for now I have set myself goal to get to know NSW pretty thoroughly, and doing all outdoor pools as well as just ocean pools. If you were a £10 Pom you must have come over to Australia a few years ago?
Just caught your little story on ABC. I grew up in Wollongong. Have found memories of Bellambi pool as a small child in the late 50’s early 60’s with my dad. He died in a coal mine accident with three others in 1965.
I also remember Towradgi as Corrimal High School took us there once a week but I hated it. It was freezing cold water and I shivered and turned blue. I think this is still why I hate swimming except in North Queensland.
Thanks for your great story. I find these pools fascinating too.
Thanks for sharing your memories of Towradgi, Marina. I think some schools’ approach to swimming put some of us for years. Fortunately, I too came to love swimming again, but only rediscovered it in my 30s, actually. I don’t mind the cold water, being from Yorkshire, and there are a few too many creatures sharing the water with me in North Queensland…
The new change shed facilities replaced the old brick ones in 2013, they never had a gate to close them.
When the new ones were opened, with a concerted protest to council about it from locals, and they relented to close them at sunset.
in 2003 i think it was, the concrete floor in the pool was completely ripped up and replaced.
The view from the pool and across the pool was much more serene before those nanny rails were put in all around the pool.
And as you say, at high tide the broadside waves and then the rebound turns it into a hard ocean swim, yet
in the confines of a pool. The harder part then is not to get bruised getting out if its a big tide.
BTW, great blog you have here
Thanks again for sharing that history of the changes at Towradgi. I don’t mind the rails around the pool as much as the security fencing put up around all the ‘rock pools’ down the coast in the Shoalhaven! Yes, high tide certainly seemed quite dramatic here, when I firt saw it. Are you still a regular there at Towradgi?
I was an original member of the Towradgi Rock Pool Amateur Swimming Club.
Jack Nubley was our coach who supervised our training.
When competing out of area we proudly wore our black tracksuits which had TRPASC in turqouise
lettering.
I still have my swimming pennants and medals.
Fantastic. Thanks for sharing, Cheryl. I wonder if there are any photos of swim teams in the black and turquoise tracksuits? Sounds like there was a great team spirit. Did you train through the year at the rock pool?
Swimming with the fishes is what you get at Towradgi. And one time sea lice had a go a my friend and I; calamine lotion was my cure. Same as f, I miss the old change shed which was separate from the public toilets. Nowadays, changing is more public.
Hello Simon, how I love that I know I can find out all the info I need about a rock pool just by checking in with your site. I am staying at the Surf Leisure Holiday Park near Towradgi tonight with four 12 year olds, my friend has a similar number in the cabin next door. We are taking them all to Jamberoo water park tomorrow, what kind parents.
It’s mayhem with so many lively bairns. So I thought I’d check to see if there’s a pool I could wear them out in nearby. Now I know all the info I need!
Best wishes, Seana
Thanks for checking in Seana. Your own site does a great job with pool reviews and the rest for kids! I’m sure you’ll enjoy Jamberoo, though funnily enough I never got to the place in three years living over that side of the country. Glad you found Towradgi.
My father Douglas Porter was one of the co founders of Towradgi rock pool, i can remember him and many other volunteers working at weekends to get this pool going, he was also one of the aldermen mentioned on the large memorial rock. Off to the right of the pool is a small black rock with a plaque on it in memory of my father
I must have missed that rock, Catherine, but great to hear the pool is a matter of family pride still today