Northbridge Baths 2010

It's after Easter, the weather is getting colder, but you can still swim in Sydney. At Northbridge Baths (Willoughby Council, Middle Harbour) the water was a bit freezey on entry, but as everyone always says, 'in a minute you'll be fine'. It was a strange llittle beach, a bit like Greenwich Baths, but very quiet. Partly because it is getting colder, I suppose. These paid baths are apparently open all year round (!), and also hire out kayaks.

There was a a small triangle of sand, a grassy area, and also a hidden waterfall that the children found. The pier around the water was nice and high, which made a good jumping-off zone. We've all gotten very into jumping. Also a good swimming area, with 8 lanes for laps.

At one point, Toby & Bea made friends with another family. Bea and the 3 other children were throwing bread into the water from the high pier for the fish. Toby was down in the water leaping about trying to catch one - at one point he chortled madly and shouted out, "I'm having fish tonight!".

Bea also found a treasure, 3 hidden golden Easter eggs in the wet sand. Even though she understood she shouldn't eat them, she carried them around for about an hour, as they were so precious.

There are some other beautiful areas near by, neighbouring sandy coves, all almost empty at this time of year. What a lovely spot - we'd never have found it if wasn't for this beach quest.

Greenwich Baths 2010

Here it is next year, as it happens, and we have come to our first paid beach! Which is unexpected, but turns out very well. We're on the north side of the harbour, and the teensy Greenwhich Baths are next in line. And luckily we can pay with eftpos, as we always try not to carry much cash to the beach, and we are a dollar short of the entrance price.

The views are good; we can see the city, and the beach is lovely and clean. There are also a couple of swimming lanes, complete with turning boards at each end. The crowd is mostly families with young children, so it is pretty suitable. And although it is late March, the water's fine.

We finish our visit with a trip to the outdoor cafe on one end of the tiny beach, and all enjoy a pleasant and easy lunch.