Giles Baths

What’s up summer!
Blow past the burning sands of Coogee Beach — with its packs of marauding seagulls and a vast purgatory of tourists — and head up the grassy hill on the north side of the beach. Follow the path past the shrine where a Brazilian saw a vision of the Blessed Virgin (actually a thing) until you hit the ye Olde England-​style arch that proudly declares «baths.» Then it’s a skip down the cliff to a lovely clear rockpool that will be either preternaturally calm or manageably rough-​n-​tumble depending on the swell.
Stretch out on the rocks like a cat. Duck down ‘neath the water and caress the mossy bottom. Find the secret cave. Laugh at that girl with the selfie stick doing duckface. Then toddle back along the path to Coogee Pavilion for some well-​earned beers.

Walking along the length of Coogee’s shore, you eventually reach Giles Baths, a quiet escape from the hoards of Coogee Beach and perfect for snorkelling or just floating in the sun.
Hidden by walls of rock, this calm rock-​pool was so beautiful on my last endeavour that, despite my lack of swimwear, I couldn’t resist the lure of its perfectly clear water. Jumping in in my clothes/​underwear, there was something so private and peaceful about this little pool that meant you didn’t have to think twice about stripping your clothes off. (NB: I’m not suggesting everyone should get naked — just that when the water’s this nice, you shouldn’t let clothes get in the way of you and a good swim).
Whilst I’m speaking like I was the only ones at Giles Baths, in actual fact there were probably 15 — 20 others there (including one ridiculously cute puppy, despite the dogs prohibited sign). Regardless, this spot maintains a sense of intimacy that you wouldn’t expect to find amongst the crowds of its neighbouring beach.