Bogie Hole

There are a few "ocean baths" in Newcastle--large, square pools cut from solid rock on the coast. Bogie Hole was cut by convicts for the personal bathing needs of one of Newcastle's top military guys way back when. The pool is considered too small and dangerous for general use now, but some people still venture down for a swim. I got a video of a wiry tattooed guy diving into it off of one of the low ledges above the pool. He tried to get his young pre-teenaged-looking son to dive in too, but the kid wouldn't go for it.

Newcastle and Merewether baths are the two primary ocean baths in town. They are very large salt water swimming pools, about five feet deep, and the ocean water is pumped out once every three days. They also both have separate very shallow kiddie pools. Sydney is filled with ocean baths too, according to a recent issue of Australian Traveler magazine, which identified the best ones for a dip.