Shallow Island Baths Taree

The boat ramp near the Manning River Rowing Club leads to the location of Taree’s first public baths formed in 1902.¹ It was called the Shallow Island Baths and was simply a channel surrounded by mudbanks. It was nicknamed the “Soup Pot” due to the unpleasant mud revealed at low tide. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable place to cool off during the summer months.²

Men and women were not permitted to swim together at the baths, so in 1904 women were granted sole use of the baths on Mondays and Thursdays from 2pm until midnight. These times were extended to the whole day when it was seen how popular the baths were with Taree women.³

Taree Swimming Club used the baths as their base and in 1925 they held the first night carnival there when electricity was extended to the baths.⁴ The establishment of the club was much needed with many near drownings and a small number of deaths occurring at the baths. One young lady who was visiting Taree stepped into a deep hole and was unable to swim. Others around her also couldn’t swim. Mr Everingham heard the screams and ran nearly 300 metres before diving into the bath to rescue the woman. She was unconscious but was miraculously revived.⁵

Maintaining the baths was a continual task with silt build up and weeds endlessly growing through the wire netting used to exclude sharks. The netting itself was regularly damaged by floods and boat collisions.⁶ In 1931 these baths were abandoned for new baths at the end of Macquarie Street.⁷

Author: Janine Roberts