Ocean Pools maps Australia's saltwater sanctuaries cut into coastal rock platforms — from simple rings of stones to tidally flushed concrete lanes — tracing the human impulse to negotiate, rather than retreat from, the sea. 320 pages, photographed in stunning detail.
About This Book
Scattered along Australia's rocky surf coasts, ocean pools occupy a singular place in the national imagination — sites where communal life, ecological coexistence, and the drama of the ocean converge. This book documents the full spectrum of these saltwater pools, from rudimentary rock enclosures to engineered seawater facilities with marked lanes and pump systems, each offering swimmers shelter from sharks, rips, and open surf. More than a field guide, it reads these coastal structures as layered sites of memory and identity. For swimmers, landscape enthusiasts, and anyone drawn to the intersection of built and natural environments, this is an essential record of an enduring Australian institution.
Key Features
- 320 pages of location photography and pool-by-pool amenity and accessibility guides
- Authors: Chris Chen and Marie-Louise McDermott
- Published by Thames & Hudson Australia, ISBN 9781760761578
What You'll Discover
- The typological range of ocean pools — from rough rings of rocks to concrete-floored seawater pools with pumps and lane markings
- How these structures function as ecological interfaces, providing habitat for marine life alongside human recreation
- The cultural and social dimensions of ocean pools as communal, restorative spaces embedded in coastal identity
- Practical guidance on each pool's location, amenities, and accessibility for planning visits along Australia's surf coast
About the Author
Chris Chen and Marie-Louise McDermott are the authors of this celebration of Australia's ocean pool culture. [Details available upon request]
Specifications
- Format: Hardcover
- Pages: 320
- Dimensions: 260 x 225 mm
- Language: English
- ISBN: 9781760761578
- Publisher: Thames & Hudson Australia
- Publication Date: [Details available upon request]
Perfect For: Swimmers, coastal landscape enthusiasts, architects and designers interested in the built-natural interface, and readers with a deep connection to Australian beach culture.