Wollongong Continental Pool
Wollongong City's Ocean Pool
In my opinion, this pool is Wollongong’s answer to Bondi’s Icebergs. Way more beautiful (especially with it’s brand new paint job), and way less pretentious. The Continental Pool in Wollongong is a lovely spot to dive in and swim some laps. Overlooking the ocean just outside Wollongong Harbour, the view encompassing both lighthouses is spectacular.
It always feels slightly colder here than the Gentlemen’s Pool next door, but is way better suited to doing laps, and you always get out of the water feeling amazing.
Visiting Wollongong's Ocean Baths
Not to be confused with The Continental Ocean Pool at Kiama. This one features in our Best of Wollongong’s Ocean Pool list 2024, and is right in the heart of Wollongong City. The full lap pool experience awaits you here, complete with a light blue paint job, lane ropes and black lines to help keep you on track.
Actually three pools, rather than one. The more serious folk can punch out their laps at a cracking pace in the main pool, with the smaller pool usually featuring a few people who prefer to walk or swim at a slightly slower pace. There’s also a fenced in toddler’s pool with a shadecloth to protect the little ones from that harsh Summer sun.
How big is the Continental pool in Wollongong?
The Continental Pool in Wollongong is actually a complex that includes 3 pools. The largest lap pool measures 50m by 18m and features 8 marked lanes.
The middle sized pool measures 44m by 15m and features 6 marked lanes, although this pool is often used by people doing walking laps as well as swimming.
The kids pool measures 14.5m by 4m.
Which swimming clubs call The Wollongong Continental Pool Home?
The Continental Pool in Wollongong is home to the Wollongong Whales Winter Swimming Club for the boys and the Floating Flamingos Winter Swimming Club for the ladies.
Despite the Continental name of the pool, the swim clubs are less “continental’ and prefer to hold their swim meets separately.
Is Wollongong's Continental Pool Wheelchair and Pram accessible?
One of the best ocean pools for people with access needs. It features a ramp to enter the pool complex and a ramp to enter the 45m pool. Parking is more difficult with limited spaces on Cliff Road.
When was the Continental Pool Wollongong opened?
Officially opened in 1926, the Continental Pool has seen plenty of changes over it’s lifetime. Previously known as Wollongong Continental Baths and Wollongong Central Baths. Turns out, in this instance, “continental” means mixed bathing, as in men, women and children all able to swim at the same place, at the same time. The Continental Pool is perhaps, not coincidentally located between the old Gentlemen’s Pool and the Ladies Baths.
The name Continental always made me think of Continental breakfasts, which according to the internet are “light breakfasts often associated with staying at a hotel”. Slightly different to my personal interpretation of “stuffing yourself silly with as many different breakfast foods as you can at the one meal, while staying at a hotel, and don’t forget to sneak an extra croissant or bagel in your back pocket on the way out”.
Perhaps I’ll alter my interpretation slightly to “a place where as many people as possible can swim laps at a spot with a cracking outlook, right in the middle of the city!” Just another reason why we love the Gong!
What is the water temperature at the Continental baths in Wollongong?
The Continental Pool in Wollongong always feels fresh, and by fresh I mean COLD! I usually swim in the Gentlemen’s Pool next door and that always feels a few degrees warmer. I will take Devereaux Duck next time to confirm.
If you would like to get your own Devereaux to tell you the water temp of where ever you swim…you can get one here.
When is the Continental pool open?
6am-6pm Thursday-Tuesday
6am-2pm Wednesday
How much does it cost to swim at Wollongong ocean pool?
Free entry
Is there Car Parking near Wollongong ocean pool?
Limited free street parking on Cliff Rd, with a short walk down stairs to the pool.
Disabled parking south of the pool on Cliff Rd.
Are there BBQ Facilities near Wollongong's saltwater pool?
Gas BBQ facilities located in Stuart Park, 2kms north of the Continental pool.
Are Lifeguards on duty at Continental Baths ocean pool?
Lifeguards on duty at the Continental Pool during opening hours.
What are the changeroom and shower facilities like at Wollongong's Continental Ocean Pool?
Changerooms are available with good wheelchair accessibility.
Hot showers baby!!
Which is the best ocean pool in Wollongong?
This is a very interesting question, and I’m sure everyone who has a local pool favours their own. If I had to choose my favourite ocean pool for swimming laps, I think I would pick The Continental first, with Port Kembla Pool coming a very close second. I’m not going to lie, the hot showers are the thing that gets the Conty over the line here. Although Port is better for sunning yourself after your swim. Either way you can’t go wrong.
Fancy a night swim? Bellambi and Towradgi would be my suggestions.
My actual favourite, is the Genty’s next door. A great option for a fun swim vs doing some serious laps. and yes, I have swum here at night also, but it’s not very well lit so I wouldn’t really recommend it for after dark.
