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 2026 State of the Beaches Report here.
The 2026 report card found that 79% 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 97% rated good or very good in 2026. Many estuary, lake, lagoon and river swimming sites did not perform as well as ocean beaches, as they are more susceptible to impacts from wet weather.
This improved result is largely associated with drier weather across the state. Rainfall is the main driver of pollution in recreational waters, generating stormwater runoff and triggering discharges from the wastewater system.
How Lane Cove’s swimming spots rated
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 on 2024 and 2023, 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 also runs a beach safety programme. The Baths have a netted swimming area and a sandy beach. Greenwich Baths will open for swimming on 26 September 2026.
Tambourine Bay
Tambourine Bay is in the lower Lane Cove River. The swimming enclosure has been removed and a beautiful picnic area has now been created.
Woodford Bay
Woodford Bay has been a popular swimming spot for kids.
Lucretia Baths
Lane Cove locals used to swim at Lucretia Baths in Dunois Street, Longueville. On 16 September 2026, Lane Cove Council lodged a development application 118/2026 to demolish the baths. The council deemed the cost of rebuilding the baths too expensive.
Northbridge Baths
Many Lane Cove families like to swim at Northbridge Baths, which wqs rated fair.
Woolwich Baths
Woolwich Baths was rated good.
Bedlam Bay and Henley Baths were not included in the report.
Swimming after rain
The most important message to take away from this report is that swimming in harbourside waters after rain is not a good idea. You can always check the latest conditions by visiting Beachwatch here.