A popular harbour pool by the Royal Botanic Garden has reopened in time for spring

• Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool has reopened after a 16-month closure for major upgrades, just in time for the start of spring.
• The harbourside swimming spot now features almost 50,000 new tiles, improved accessibility, upgraded seating and more.
• With a history dating back to 1858, the pool remains one of Sydney’s most popular and picturesque places to swim.
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Few Sydney swimming spots can rival the charm of Andrew Boy Charlton Pool. Standing tall over Woolloomooloo Bay, with the Royal Botanic Garden on one side and sweeping views across the harbour on the other, this gem has been a favourite of locals and visitors for generations. After a 16-month closure for essential upgrades, the pool has reopened — refreshed, modernised and ready for another spring/summer season.

The pool site itself has a long history. In 1858, Sydney’s first free public baths were built here on Woolloomooloo Bay, giving locals a safe place to swim at a time when harbour bathing was still controversial.

In 1968, the baths were replaced by the facility we know today, named in honour of Andrew “Boy” Charlton, the golden boy of Australian swimming. Charlton shot to fame at the 1924 Paris Olympics, winning gold and silver medals and setting world records in freestyle events. He was known to train and race at this very pool, cementing its place in Australia’s sporting story.

Andrew Boy Charlton pool’s glow up

The pool’s reopening coincides perfectly with the first day of spring. Over the past year and a half, the City of Sydney has overseen a major program of maintenance to ensure the pool remains safe, accessible and sustainable for decades to come. Close to 50,000 new tiles have been laid across both the Olympic-sized 50-metre pool and the smaller 20-metre pool. New decking and timber seating have been installed too, along with shade sails to make long summer sessions more comfortable. Accessibility has also been improved, with a new lift making it easier for more people to enjoy the pool.

Behind the scenes, some of the biggest changes are ones swimmers won’t see but will definitely feel. The old gas-powered heating and hot water systems have been replaced with efficient electric heat pumps, reducing emissions and making the pool part of the City of Sydney’s push toward sustainability. The project also included repairing the concrete and steel structures, restoring the grandstand, and upgrading the plant room.

The result is a pool that feels fresh and revitalised, but still retains its harbourside character.

READ MORE: 7 Best Ocean Pools in Sydney for a Perfect Beach Day

Engineering on the edge of the harbour

Rebuilding a pool in such a location is no mean feat. Sitting on the edge of Woolloomooloo Bay, the pool is constantly exposed to the elements of a harsh marine environment. Refilling the pools alone is a careful process, requiring around two million litres of filtered harbour water. It takes a full week to fill and balance the water, and another three days to bring it up to temperature.

“This is a harsh marine environment for an outdoor pool and working on a structure suspended above the harbour has been a challenging engineering feat,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said at the reopening. “Our team has laid close to 50,000 tiles before refilling, treating and heating the pools so we’re ready to welcome back swimmers today, the first day of spring.”

A pool for everyone

Today, Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool remains one of Sydney’s most picturesque and popular swimming spots. For some, it’s a training ground, with eight lanes available for serious lap swimmers. For others, it’s about the atmosphere; a place to take a leisurely dip while soaking up the sun and harbour views. The smaller 20-metre pool is perfect for kids and beginners, and the grandstand and surrounding decking make it just as enjoyable for spectators as it is for swimmers.

Each summer, the pool welcomes thousands of locals, tourists and office workers from nearby Woolloomooloo and the CBD, who drop by for an early morning swim, a lunchtime escape or a sunset lap session. Whether you’re chasing personal bests, dipping into Sydney’s Olympic legacy, or simply looking for the city’s most scenic saltwater swim, its a quintessential Sydney experience.

READ MORE: Sydney Harbour swimming guide: everything you need to know

Plan your visit

Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool is open from Monday, September 1 until Thursday, April 30 each year, closing during the cooler months. Along with casual swimming, the centre offers lane hire, fitness programs and a swim school.

Address: 1c Mrs Macquaries Rd, NSW 2000.
Opening times: Daily 6am–8pm, public holidays 7am–7pm.
Price: Adult $7.90, children $5.10, under-threes enter free. Families from $18.50.

For lane availability and program details, visit cityofsydneyleisure.com.au.