Alphington Swimming Pool

Can you imagine swimming in one of the last Victorian-era swimming pools in Melbourne, a pool carved out of the riverbank and built by the hands of local residents? Here in Alphington Park, on the banks of the Yarra River, stands a testament to a bygone era, where community spirit and resourcefulness thrived. The Alphington Swimming Pool, a semi-circular basin carved into the riverbank, was a beloved local amenity from the 1920s to the 1960s. Built by dedicated volunteers who transported large rocks to the site, it provided a cool haven for swimmers and a social hub for families. In the 1940s, a smaller wading pool was added, catering to younger bathers. Families would gather at the pool in the evenings, enjoying picnics and the coolness of summer evenings. The riverbank was terraced with cement-covered steps, providing a grandstand for spectators. Two diving boards, one ten feet and the other three feet high, offered exciting opportunities for daring dives. But as the Yarra River became polluted, swimming became a health hazard, and sadly, the pool was abandoned. Today, only remnants of the pool remain, overgrown with weeds and silt. The dressing sheds have long since been demolished, but the memory of this vibrant community pool lives on, a reminder of a simpler time in Melbourne’s history.