Nedlands Baths
Nedlands Park / Nedlands Swimming Baths and Jetty were built as part of the development of facilities for the Nedlands Tramway Estate.
Architects, Wright. Powell and Cameron designed the baths and the jetty. The jetty was constructed in 1908 from material brought in by barge. The jetty was a vital link in the development of Broadway and the tramway.
The swimming baths were built with a fully enclosed shark proof area at a cost of £1.500 and opened on 9 February 1909 by Sir John Forrest, the first Premier of Western Australia. Together with the hotel (which became “Steve’s” and jetty. the baths attracted many people to the Nedlands foreshore. Nedlands Baths used to have separate swimming areas for men and women. A tram terminus within fifty yards and only a 30 minute journey from the Perth Town Hall. A new jetty projecting 300 meters into one of the finest reaches of the Swan. Clumps of trees and shady nooks for picnickers. A sandy beach where children could bathe safely without the worry of breakers and under-tow.
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NEDLANDS BATHS AND TRAM SERVICE.
To the Editor.
Sir, Now that the swimming season is fully in and a large section of the people avail themselves of a trip to Nedlands Park I would like to say a word or two on the tram service, particularly on Sundays. We have a service of 18 trams per day, whereas 25 or 30 would just about accommodate the increasing traffic. For instance, on Sunday morning one has to wait from 11.34 till 12.41 for a tram-about an hour’s waste of time. It is bad enough for Subiaco residents, but what about Perth and suburban people who have to travel home? Now that the holidays are here the week-day service is quite as inadequate. The baths are, I admit, clean, and the manager is very obliging, but the appointments are not sufficient. We have 25 bunks,
whereas 40 would just about supply the swimmers with accommodation. One has to undress outside in view of the swimmers, not to mention the people who are on the river in yachts and boats. One likes a little privacy at times. There is only one spring board for the use, on an average, of about 50 divers, whereas a high-diving platform and another springboard would, I am sure, be much appreciated by swimmers generally. Nedlands is within easy distance of Perth and the suburbs, against Claremont, Cottesloe Beach, and Fremantle, and there is no reason why it should not be made popular. But unless those who control it make a few of the alterations I have detailed they will find that the public will go elsewhere for picnics and bathing facilities instead of having to put up with the inconveniences referred to.-Yours, etc., DIVER
Subiaco, Dec. 29. [1]
[1] The West Australian Friday 31 December 2009 page 6