Dive into these vintage photos of WA swimming spots over the years
With the temperature rising and summer holidays tantalisingly around the corner, we’re positively desperate to spend days floating, splashing and submerged in just about any body of water we can get.
We’re sure you’ve already seen these amazing vintage photos of Perth’s stunning beaches, but (and pardon the pun) we’ve also taken a deep dive into the wonderful, fantastic, very excellent State Library of Western Australia Facebook page and found some beaut photos of various swimming holes across our state – from pools to ponds and almost everything in between.
An elegant swan dive into a Muckinbudin dam, circa 1930.
Kids playing in the new Kalgoorlie Olympic Pool, circa 1938.
A group of young men and boys pose at the Pemberton Pool after giving the toboggan a good run, circa 1930s.
Another elegant swan dive into what was perhaps the first private swimming pool in WA at Youanmi in 1932.
Attached to the Crystal Pool Guest House, Yanchep Pool later underwent a name change in honour of the Duke of Gloucester’s 1934 visit. Pictured here circa 1935, a series of ornamental pools were designed to warm the spring water that fed the pool.
A relaxed picnic by the river at Marble Bar, circa 1941.
A refreshing dip in the water tank at Carlindi Station, 1948.
Dorrie Foord and Wilma Venville take a cheeky dip at Camera Pool in the eastern Kimberley, circa 1958-1959.
The picturesque, ice-cold water of the pool at Araluen Botanic Park, circa 1960-1961.
Tom Price Pool, circa 1967, with the remarkable backdrop of Mount Nameless in the distance – and below, photographed a few years later in 1970.
The turquoise water of the Cunderdin Olympic Pool, circa 1967.
Swimmers go for a dip at Dales Gorge in 1968.
Similarly in 1984, a trio of swimmers dive into the pool at Weano Gorge in the Hamersley Range, circa 1984.
Kids line up for their swimming lessons at Karratha Pool in 1975.
The indoor kids pool at Beatty Park Leisure Centre (complete with blue whale), circa 1994 – and below in 1966 for the occasion of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s visit to Perth.
The iconic Adventure World, circa 1984.
But why venture out? Stay home and you can be as relaxed as this cool character, enjoying a bevvy in his very own Sunshine pool in 1984.
Some photos are available to purchase via the State Library of WA. All photos, unless stated, via the State Library of WA.