1. Middle Brighton Baths

Swimmers today enjoy the freedom to swim whenever and wherever they wish, but this was not always the case. Throughout most of the 19th century swimming on open beaches was discouraged and mixed swimming was not allowed. ‘Bathing’ as it was known, gained popularity in the Victorian era and the correct venue was considered to be the sea baths where men and women (at different times) could enjoy the waters of the bay safely behind shark-proof bars.

The Corporation Baths opened on this site in 1881 and operated until a huge storm wrecked a large section in 1904. The rebuilt baths allowed men and women to bathe on the same day, but in segregated sections. The baths were smaller than the present building, and were accessed by a wooden walkway from the road. These baths were in turn wrecked by a violent storm in 1934 and were replaced two years later by the brick building still in use today.

The shark proofing was not in vain, as large sharks had been caught off Brighton for some years and one huge specimen caught in 1877 was reported to have the complete carcass of a large dog inside it. In 1930, Norm Clark, a local lad, was taken by a shark, in front of a large crowd of horrified onlookers, after diving from a landing on the adjacent pier, and his body was never recovered.

After the Second World War the baths were a popular venue for schools, where swimming was encouraged as a sport, and both training sessions and school sports where held regularly. Many local students started with the ‘Herald Learn-to-Swim’ progam, followed by the Junior and Senior swimming certificates.

In 1959 the area in front of the baths was the scene of the Official Opening of Celebrations of Brighton’s Centenary by the then Mayor Cr. R.G. Ward and the Governor of Victoria Sir Dallas Brooks.

The baths again sustained damage during a storm in 1963 and fell into disrepair during the next decade as the popularity of ocean surf beaches and private swimming pools increased.

The baths were refurbished in 1986 and again in 2001 with the addition of the restaurant and gymnasium.

The Brighton Icebergers, a hardy group of locals who swim all year, brave the cold winter mornings and are accorded legendary status.