Swimming and Aquatic Recreation

Please note swimming is permitted except for up to three days after heavy rain. Daily water quality forecasts for all swim sites are available on the Our Living River website Interactive Map.

Bayview Park, Concord

Bayview Park Baths opened to the public in November 2022, featuring upgrades such as a new netted swim enclosure, outdoor shower, and improved access to the foreshore.

Located next to Bayview Park, the site includes a playground, fitness station, covered picnic tables, BBQs, and toilets.

The original baths last operated over 50 years ago before closing in 1969 due to poor water quality. Sydney Water has partnered with the City of Canada Bay to conduct water quality and sediment testing at Bayview Park through their RiverWatch™ monitoring program. Data collected over the past few years shows that the site is now safe for swimming.

In 2023, further improvements were made to Bayview Park, including new picnic facilities, accessible parking, and landscaping.

Cabarita Park beach, Cabarita

Cabarita Park beach is located at the northern end of Cabarita Park, featuring a long, wide strip of sand with rocks at both ends.

The beach is surrounded by beautiful parklands with picnic and BBQ facilities, a playground, public toilets, and wheelchair access. It is easily accessible from the Cabarita ferry wharf, bus stops, and offers ticketed parking.

Chiswick Baths, Chiswick

Chiswick Baths is a peaceful, local swimming spot located on Bortfield Drive, Chiswick. The site features a netted enclosure, childproof fence, and is accessible via a short set of stairs.

The baths are surrounded by a small park with a grassy area, covered picnic tables, and toilets. It’s a perfect spot for a refreshing swim or to relax and enjoy scenic views of Parramatta River and Gladesville Bridge.

Dawn Fraser Baths, Balmain

Dawn Fraser Baths is located in Elkington Park, Balmain. Affectionately known as ‘Dawny’ in honour of eight-time Olympic champion Dawn Fraser, this tidal saltwater bath is home to Australia’s oldest pool and swimming club.

Facilities include 50 metre lap swimming area, beach entrance accessible at low tide, changerooms, accessible bathrooms, and a kiosk.

The baths are open from October to April but may close after heavy rain if water quality is not safe. In 2021, significant upgrades were made to raise the decking and strengthen the foundation against rising sea levels.

Lake Parramatta, North Parramatta

Lake Parramatta is located in North Parramatta. Surrounded by beautiful bushland, the site underwent upgrades in 2024 to provide better access and safety, including new stairs, a sloping beach entry, and a lifeguard platform. Other improvements include sandstone seating, tree planting, native gardens, and an outdoor shower. 

Swimmers should only swim in designated areas when lifeguards are present and check water quality conditions before entering. 

Lifeguards will be on duty during these times: 

• 26 October – 24 November 2024: Weekends, 10am–6pm
• 30 November 2024 – 30 January 2025: Daily, 10am–7pm
• 1 February – 30 March 2025: Weekends, 10am–7pm

Visitors can also enjoy non-motorised boat hire, bushwalking trails, a playground, BBQs, picnic areas, and a weekend kiosk. For information on water quality and other amenities at Lake Parramatta, visit: Swimming at Lake Parramatta | City of Parramatta 

Lake Parramatta was officially opened for public swimming and water recreational activities in 2015 after being closed for 72 years due to poor water quality.

McIlwaine Park, Rhodes

McIlwaine Park is located on the picturesque Brays Bay in Rhodes. In 2023, the site underwent an $8.7 million upgrade that features a new accessible foreshore pathway, beach area, BBQ and picnic facilities, and landscaping. The riverbank naturalisation includes discovery rockpools, living seawall tiles, and a saltmarsh conservation area.

The project was proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with the City of Canada Bay.

The park is also walking distance to the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway, which features 22 plaques that describe a significant place or engagement, and lush tropical vegetation that simulates the conditions of The Kokoda Track. For more information, view the Interactive Map.

Bedlam Bay, Gladesville

Bedlam Bay is located at the base of the Parramatta River Regional Park in Gladesville. The area is home to the Bedlam Bay Community Garden and also features scenic foreshore walking paths, boat jetty and hire and sports fields.

In 2020 Hunter’s Hill Council selected the location as a potential swim site on the Parramatta River. Planning is underway to construct the swimming baths and the site is expected to open in mid 2025. For more information, view the Interactive Map.

Callan Park, Lilyfield

Located along the river foreshore in Lilyfield, Callan Park is a large parkland that was once the grounds of Rozelle Hospital and features several heritage buildings.

Planning is underway to create a swim site with a design that includes an accessible pontoon walkway and ramp, play pontoon, and netted enclosure.

Identified in the 2018 Parramatta River Masterplan as a potential swim site, further planning in 2021 recommended exploring a harbour pool at Callan Point.

A range of investigations were undertaken between 2018-2022 to assess water quality and potential health risks. These confirmed swimming is feasible with rainfall restrictions and minimal riverbed disturbance.

Ongoing consultations with local communities, health authorities, and waterway users are shaping the development of the tidal baths.

Mort Bay, Birchgrove

Plans are underway to create a swim site at Mort Bay in Birchgrove. The proposed site aims to enhance the waterfront area with a netted swimming enclosure, improved access, and other facilities for the local community.

Consultations with stakeholders, including local residents, health authorities, and waterway users, are guiding the design process.

The swim site will help provide a recreational option while balancing the needs of the surrounding environment and the harbour’s existing use for boating and other activities.

Putney Park, Putney

Located right on the river’s edge, Putney Park features expansive grass and natural areas, BBQ and picnic facilities, multiple playgrounds, and plenty of parking.

Plans to open a swim site have been in progress for several years. In 2021, the City of Ryde constructed a new seawall and stairs for access to the river foreshore and beach area at low tide.

Sydney Water’s RiverWatch program has been monitoring water quality as part of the swim site development. Construction of a swimming enclosure was completed in late 2024, and the site is expected to open in early 2025. For more information, view the Interactive Map.

RiverWatch™ was established in 2019 by Sydney Water to monitor and report on water quality at new and planned swimming and recreation sites along the Parramatta River.

Before a new site is opened, routine water quality monitoring is undertaken for more than 12 months. Monitoring results are assessed against the National Health and Medical Research Council Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water and NSW Water Quality Objectives.

Sydney Water has also worked with industry partners to develop a chemical assessment program, which evaluates how chemical contaminants impact river sediment and water quality to ensure there are no risks to human health. The framework and assessment process is based on the enHealth guidance – Guidelines for assessing human health risks from environmental hazards.

Daily water quality forecasts for existing swimming and recreation sites will be available through Our Living River’s Interactive Map.

RiverWatch is aligned with similar recreational water quality monitoring programs such as NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s Beachwatch monitoring program, which monitors three of the existing swim sites on the Parramatta River: Cabarita Park beach, Chiswick Baths and Dawn Fraser Baths. Water quality at Lake Parramatta is monitored by the City of Parramatta’s comprehensive Water Quality Program.

RiverWatch fact sheets
For more detailed information on the different components of the RiverWatch Monitoring Program, download the following fact sheets:

• Riverwatch Swim Site Activation Fact Sheet
• Riverwatch Water Quality Monitoring Fact Sheet
• RiverWatch Chemical Assessment Fact Sheet
• Riverwatch Predictive Model Fact Sheet

If you would like further information on the Riverwatch Monitoring Program, please email: Riverwatch@sydneywater.com.au.