Did you know that McIver’s Bath, also known as McIver’s Ladies Bath or the Coogee Ladies Bath, remains the only women’s public bath in all of Australia? Under the Anti-Discrimination Act, the women-only designation was supposed to expire this year, or 25 years after it was granted. In 2018 however, the local community petitioned to extend this “indefinitely.”
The secure, private and natural tidal spot has been a part of Sydney culture since the 1820s or earlier.
History experts said that Aboriginal women used this spot long before it had a name, to bathe, fish and even give birth. For the thousands of women who have been to this site on Beach Street, McIver’s Bath is a sacred safe space.
Officially built in its current form and recognized in 1876, McIver’s Bath was developed and managed by Robert and Rose McIver.
Rose was one of the pioneers of the Randwick and Coogee Ladies Amateur Swimming Club, alongside Australia’s first female swimming champion Mina Wylie. By 1922, the club took over the lease of the property and continues to manage the baths today.
Challenges to the Women’s Only Restriction
For the most part, there have been little complaints about the exclusivity of McIver’s Bath. There have only been two instances where questions and challenges arose over its women’s only restriction.
In 1946, the Council attempted to open the public site to men but a Randwick Brigidine convent Mother Superior wrote a letter to defend the site. The nuns and boarders at the convent will have nowhere else to swim if McIver’s Bath becomes an all-inclusive swimming spot. Her point was heard loud and clear.
In 1992, a Coogee local took his challenge in court on the grounds that the women’s only bath violated the Anti-Discrimination Act. The legal battle languished for three years. In 1995, the court favored Mc Iver’s Bath, granting its exemption from the Anti-Discrimination Act.
McIver’s Bath: the Safe Space
Early mornings at McIver’s Bath is usually filled with a group of elderly women who do their fitness routines at the cliff-side pool. On weekends, young ladies from the university come in groups as they take a break from schoolwork.
Mothers with little kids visit this place frequently for recreation. There are books to borrow at the small clubhouse for people who like to read, lying down on the small patches of grass by the cliff.
Some come to practice their laps in peace whilst others set their towels by the rocks to work on their tan. Fences were installed and bushes were planted on the top side of the site to fend off peeping toms.
Once in a while, there is a drone that flies by but the site is generally free of creepy and suspicious people. The attendants are attentive, helpful and friendly.
McIver’s Bath is a lot busier during summer afternoons. Women, in all shapes and sizes, have tons of freedom in this place and that freedom is slowly returning to normalcy amidst the COVID-19 restrictions.
“Lovely to swim here, late in the afternoon, in the Summer. The view is amazing. You will see fish, interesting rocks, various algae and lot of birds flying over to roost. The nicest part is the cool of the water after a hot day and the beautiful colours of the sky from the setting sun. Lots regular swimmers go here so you tend to get to know some of the people.”
Linda of Coogee, TripAdvisor
“What a beautiful, safe space! I sat topless eating a burrito. Made me feel the safest I’ve ever felt in a public space. Sad there aren’t more places like this.”
Clara Riordan, Google Reviews
“I went for the first time by myself. I was highly nervous because I didn’t know anybody and I didn’t know the place or rules. It took me half an hour to work up the courage to get comfortable. All for nothing. It’s an amazing environment. The people are wonderful and it’s just heaven on Earth. I wish I lived closer so I could go every day.”
Tag, TripAdvisor
