Once we’d wandered across a playing field and down a narrow path winding between shady trees, there, finally, was the beach – and a giant inflatable pink flamingo.
The new Parramatta River “beach” at Bedlam Bay – set below the historic Tarban Creek lunatic asylum and Gladesville Mental hospital – is certainly picturesque, once you find it.
I went for a swim last week when other reporters and TV crews attended the official opening by the state’s water minister, Rose Jackson.
With boats bobbing and the sun out, if you squinted, you could have been on the Amalfi Coast. Maybe.
Gladesville has a new ‘beach’ at Bedlam Bay. Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The Guardian
But to get into the water we – I was with photographer Jessica Hromas – had to dance over decaying leaves. Then we needed to avoid the razor-sharp oyster shells to reach the deeper and murkier water.
The warm water seemed saltier than an ocean beach, and my throat was slightly scratchy afterwards. But we felt safe from any bull sharks or stingrays roaming the river thanks to a freshly installed net.
Eelemarni Close-Brown takes a dip at Bedlam Bay. Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The Guardian
The Bedlam Bay site was “reactivated” via a $560,000 grant from the New South Wales government’s Places to Swim program, which aims to create new swimming spots on the Parramatta River.
The Bedlam Bay swimming spot was originally part of the asylum, which opened in 1866, the Hunter’s Hill mayor Zac Miles said on Friday. Later, it was open to the public before being closed in 1956.
Sign up: AU Breaking News email
Jackson said on Friday that “connection to water and the ocean is an intrinsic part of being an Australian”.
“You shouldn’t have to live right on the coast to access that … we also have some beautiful rivers,” the minister says. “Once word gets out that these beautiful little jewels are here in the heart of suburban Sydney … I hope it’s really well utilised.”
skip past newsletter promotion
Sign up to Breaking News Australia
Get the most important news as it breaks
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. If you do not have an account, we will create a guest account for you on theguardian.com to send you this newsletter. You can complete full registration at any time. For more information about how we use your data see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
after newsletter promotion
Jackson noted that Sydney Water had been doing comprehensive water testing along the Parramatta River, and an increasing number of locations were safe for swimming.
“A lot of that is around storm water management, just making sure that when we do have storm water runoff that it is going into places that aren’t anywhere near the swim sites.
“With a little bit of modification to where storm water goes, we are able to make sure that these particular locations, which are accessible, have water quality that is safe for swimming.”
The Hunters Hills mayor, Zac Miles, on an inflatable pink flamingo. Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The Guardian
Phase 2 of the Bedlam Bay development will improve accessibility. The government is working with the local council to improve parking, signage and amenities.
Meanwhile, Barangaroo’s swimming spot at Marrinawi Cove has also reopened, the government announced on Tuesday.
It had been closed while works were completed, including a new non-slip platform, integrated sandstone stairs, handrails and a ladder for easier access.
There’s now 150 sq m of additional swimming space, with people able to do 45-metre “laps”. There’s also a new double outdoor shower and picnic area.
“The reopened Marrinawi Cove, joining the newly opened Bedlam Bay, and soon to reopen Penrith beach, give more people places to swim close to home,” the public spaces minister, Paul Scully, says.
Pondi beach at Penrith – as it’s been affectionately nicknamed – opens again this coming weekend for summer.
Scully says it will have “extended hours, daily lifeguard patrols, more shade and new outdoor showers, so families can make the most of what is becoming an iconic summer destination”.
But back to Bedlam Bay. Would I swim there again? Probably not any time soon, since I don’t live close by. The river was salty, the oyster shells too sharp and the lack of showers meant I had to return to the newsroom with sand in my hair.