Lyla Lindsey
Australia has a coastline that stretches for more than 36,000 kilometres, but between 1838 and 1902, it was illegal to swim at public beaches during the day. This was due to the belief that it was indecent to be seen in little to no clothing in public spaces, as there were no changing sheds and swimming costumes were rare. As a result, people could only swim in the early morning or late evening, and men and women were prohibited from bathing together.
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What You'll Learn
British settlers' discomfort with the ocean
Between 1838 and 1902, it was illegal to swim at beaches in Australia during the day. This was due to British settlers' discomfort with the ocean and their beliefs about public decency. The ocean reminded the settlers of the long and treacherous voyage that separated them from their homeland. They also considered it immoral to be seen in public with little to no clothing. As a result, people could only swim in the early morning or late evening, and men and women were prohibited from bathing together.
The British settlers' aversion to ocean swimming stood in contrast to the Aboriginal people's use of Australian beaches as a source of food and enjoyment. The settlers' mindset led to a lack of interest in ocean swimming, and the absence of changing sheds and swimming costumes further contributed to their discomfort.
During the late 1800s, as Australian cities became more crowded and polluted, doctors began to suggest that sea air and saltwater could improve people's health. This marked a shift in perspective, and by the early 1900s, Australians started to embrace the joys of beachgoing. However, the daytime swimming ban remained in place, prompting protests from some individuals, such as artist William Gocher, who swam at Sydney's Manly Beach at noon in 1902 as an act of defiance.
The protests and changing societal attitudes eventually led to the repeal of the daytime swimming ban within the next few years. Improved public transportation and reduced working hours also contributed to the growing popularity of beach visits. As more people ventured into the surf, the number of drownings and attempted rescues increased, highlighting the need for surf lifesaving clubs. The first surf lifesaving club was established at Bondi in February 1907, marking the beginning of a movement that would save countless lives and become an iconic symbol of Australia.
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Public decency concerns
From 1838 to 1902, it was illegal to swim at beaches in Australia during the day. This was due to public decency concerns, as there were no changing sheds and swimming costumes were rare. People believed it was wrong to be seen in little or no clothing in public spaces. Swimming was only permitted during the early morning and late evening, and men and women could never bathe together.
During this time, British settlers in Australia were not fond of ocean swimming, as the ocean reminded them of the long and dangerous voyage that separated them from their homeland. However, in the early 1900s, as seaside resorts sprang up and leisure time increased, Australians began to embrace the beach and swimming as a recreational activity.
The daytime swimming ban sparked protests, with artist William Gocher famously swimming at Sydney's Manly Beach at noon in 1902 to challenge the law. While Gocher was arrested, he was not charged, and the law was eventually repealed within the next three years. As beach attendance increased, so did the number of drownings, leading to the establishment of the first surf lifesaving club at Bondi in 1907.
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Daytime swimming ban protests
From 1838 to 1902, it was illegal to swim at beaches in Australia during the day. This was due to public decency issues, as there were no changing sheds and swimming costumes were rare. People could only swim in the early morning or late evening, and men and women could never bathe together.
During the early 1900s, better public transportation and reduced working hours meant that more people had the time and ability to visit beaches. Spending the day at the beach became a popular pastime. As a result, people began to protest Sydney's daytime swimming ban. In 1902, the artist William Gocher swam at Manly Beach in Sydney at noon in protest against the law. Gocher was arrested but not charged. Similar protests occurred at other beaches, but police typically did not make arrests as long as swimmers wore swimming costumes. The laws were repealed within the next three years.
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Lack of safety regulations
Between 1838 and 1902, it was illegal to swim at beaches in Australia during the day. This was due to the belief that it was improper to be seen in public with little to no clothing. As a result, people could only swim in the early morning or late evening, and men and women were prohibited from bathing together. These restrictions were relaxed in the early 1900s, coinciding with the rise in popularity of beaches as leisure destinations and the emergence of public transport and reduced working hours, which made beach visits more accessible.
The lack of safety regulations during this period is notable, especially given the dangers associated with swimming. The absence of surf lifesaving clubs or similar organizations meant that there was no dedicated oversight or coordination of swimming activities, increasing the risk of accidents and drownings. This situation persisted until the early 20th century, when the first surf lifesaving club was established in Bondi in February 1907, followed by the formation of the Surf Bathing Association of New South Wales in October 1907. These clubs played a crucial role in promoting beach safety and rescuing swimmers in distress.
The issue of inadequate safety regulations was not limited to ocean swimming but also extended to private household pools. Australia has a high number of private pools due to its warm climate and affluent population. However, this has resulted in a significant number of backyard pool drownings, particularly among children. Despite knowledge of effective safety measures, such as the installation of safety fences and self-closing gates, jurisdictions across Australia were slow to implement mandatory safety standards for pools. Weak or inconsistent regulations and opposition from special interest groups further hindered progress in this area.
It wasn't until the 1990s that Australian governments started to enact more robust pool safety laws. In 1990, the NSW government passed legislation requiring all new and existing pools to be fenced according to best practices. While this requirement was later repealed for existing pools, it marked a significant step forward in pool safety regulation. Other states followed suit, introducing similar laws over the next two decades. Despite these improvements, there is still a need for continued advocacy and stronger regulations to protect children and prevent drowning incidents in both public and private swimming areas.
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High backyard pool drowning rates
Between 1838 and 1902, it was illegal to swim at beaches in Australia during the day. This was due to concerns about public decency, as there were no changing facilities and swimming costumes were uncommon. As a result, people could only swim in the early morning or late evening, and men and women were not allowed to bathe together. These regulations were eventually repealed, and seaside resorts began to spring up around the country.
As beachgoing became more popular in the early 1900s, the number of drownings and rescue attempts increased. This was partly because many swimmers lacked adequate swimming skills. The first surf lifesaving club was established at Bondi in 1907, with others quickly following suit. Despite these efforts, drowning remains a significant issue in Australia, particularly in backyard pools.
In the National Drowning Report 2025, it was reported that 68% of the 35 swimming pool drowning deaths occurred in backyard pools. This accounted for 10% of all drowning deaths, with the majority occurring in natural bodies of water. The report also revealed that the drowning rate among individuals aged 15 to 24 was significantly higher than the 10-year average.
Drowning and submersion injuries are more common in summer, with 53% of hospitalisations occurring during this season. Additionally, hospitalisation rates are higher in outer regional areas than in inner regional areas. Drowning and submersion injuries are more likely to result in hospital deaths, with rates six times higher than those for all injuries.
While water-based activities such as swimming are generally safe when risks are managed, environmental conditions and accidents can lead to submersion injuries or drowning. Some submersion injuries can result in long-term consequences, such as brain damage due to oxygen deprivation.
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Frequently asked questions
From 1838 to 1902, it was illegal to swim at public beaches in Australia during the day due to public decency. There were no changing sheds and swimming costumes were rare.
Yes, in 1902, artist William Gocher swam at Sydney's Manly Beach at noon in protest against the law. Gocher was arrested but not charged. Similar protests happened at other beaches, and the laws were repealed within the next three years.
As the number of beachgoers increased, so did the number of drownings and attempted rescues. Volunteers got together, trained in rescuing people, and formed clubs. The first surf lifesaving club was founded at Bondi in February 1907, and several others soon followed.
