Each year, the NSW Government releases a water quality report that monitors the water quality of 249 NSW swimming sites. You can read the full 2025 State of the Beaches Report here.
The 2025 report card found that 76% of NSW swim sites were graded good or very good, meaning they were suitable for swimming most or almost all of the time. This is an improvement on last year’s report.
Ocean beaches performed well, with 95% rated good or very good in 2025.
Many estuary, lake, lagoon, and river swimming sites did not perform as well as ocean beaches, being more susceptible to impacts from wet weather.
This improved result is due to the average or below-average rainfall conditions experienced in NSW between October 2024 and October 2025. Although it was noted that there were some isolated wet months during the 2025 reporting period (for example, August 2025).
Rainfall is the main driver of pollution in recreational waters, generating stormwater runoff and triggering discharges from the wastewater system.
The swimming spots in the Lane Cove Local Government Area are Estuarine.
Greenwich Baths, and Woodford Bay were rated good.
Tambourine Bay was also rated good—a significant improvement from the last two years, when it was rated poor.
Lane Cove Council maintains a number of Gross Pollutant Traps in the catchment area to reduce the impact of stormwater on the waterways.
Greenwich Baths
Greenwich Baths is a popular swimming spot in the Lane Cove Council area and they also run a beach safety programme. The Baths have a netted swimming area and a sandy beach. During weekdays in November 2025 entry is free as part of the Lane Cove River Festival – more details here.
Tambourine Bay
Tambourine Bay is in the lower Lane Cove River. The swimming enclosure has been removed and a beautiful picnic area has now.
Woodford Bay
Woodford Bay has been a popular swimming spot for kids.
Woodford Bay/Lucretia Bathis is one of the 3 remaining examples of timber “shark” paling harbourside baths left in Sydney.
It is currently closed due to the condition of the palings – find out more here.
Northbridge Baths
Many Lane Cove families like to swim at Northbridge Baths.
Northbridge Baths was rated poor for the previous two years. It has been upgraded to Fair.
Woolwich Baths
Woolwich Baths were rated as good.
Swimming After Rain
The most important message to take away from this report is that swimming in harbourside water areas after rain is not a good idea.
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