This week, for the first time in more than 50 years, a brand new swimming spot will open up in Sydney Harbour at Barangaroo, and it looks bloody lovely.
Marrinawi Cove is an idyllic, crystalline swimming nook tucked away in the north eastern corner of Barangaroo Reserve. Despite having been used by the local Gadigal people for thousands of years as a fishing, canoeing and swimming spot, this cove has been firmly off the cards for swimming Sydneysiders for the last few decades due to pollution, safety hazards and neglect. Now, however, things are looking a bit different.
Following efforts by local residents and the NSW state government, Sydneysiders will be able to safely swim in the harbour on the west side of the Harbour Bridge for the first time in 50 years. Widespread clean-ups of Sydney Harbour have successfully transformed it from an industrial wasteland to a pleasing plunge spot.
Marrinawi Cove has officially passed water safety tests, and the state government has installed safety nets, a new shower and signage. Now all we need before we get the all-clear for swimming is results of an inspection of the integrity of the shark nets – that’s expected to come in later this week.
As seen in the Sydney Morning Herald, Cities’ Minister Rob Stokes said that the opening of Marrinawi Cove was just the start for Sydney’s swimming future, with it signalling a whole new wave of making our city’s neglected waterways swimmable once again.
“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,” Stokes said.
We're more than ready to jump in.