Sydney Harbour has a new swimming spot in Marrinawi Cove, open just in time for lunch break summer swims!

 

Marrinawi Cove in Barangaroo Reserve will open for swimming today, the first new harbour swimming spot on the western side of Sydney Harbour Bridge to open in over 50 years. 

Tucked into the north-east corner of Barangaroo Reserve, the tiny protected bay of Marrinawi Cove had been used by the Gadigal people for fishing, swimming, and canoeing for thousands of years, and will now be an inner city swimming spot surrounded by the flora of the reserve, but close to the Harbour Bridge, The Rocks, Barangaroo, and Walsh Bay. 

 

 

A new shower has been installed at Marrinawi Cove, as well as signage and shark safety nets. After a final integrity check of the nets today, the site will be officially opened by Cities Minister, Rob Stokes, and MP for Sydney, Alex Greenwich. 

‘Our city stopped building ocean and harbour pools more than half a century ago – it’s past time to provide more great, safe public places to swim,’ Mr Stokes said.

 

 

Marrinawi Cove is just one of multiple spots on the western side of the harbour set to reopen, or open for the first time, as part of Sydney Water’s Urban Plunge program, including the Parramatta River at Bayview Park. This area of the harbour once had a swimming ban due to poor water quality caused by industrial pollution but is now having a wild swimming revival. 

‘Being able to swim at Marrinawi Cove is only possible because we have invested in cleaning up our harbour from industrial wastelands to aquatic playgrounds,’ said Mr Stokes. 

 

 

The government will continue to monitor the water quality at Marrinawi Cove, as well as usage of the swimming area over the summer before deciding to install more facilities, including decking and ladders.

Keep your eyes peeled and your togs at the ready for new city swimming spots opening up in the future!

 

Photos thanks to NSW Government