‘What the?’: Great Aussie beach mystery finally solved

5 days ago 6

James MacSmith

Updated 4 Feb 2026, 8:12am

First published 4 Feb 2026, 5:00am

It’s the perennial summer question – how the hell can they build a pool, there?

It’s the perennial summer question at the beach- how the hell can they build a pool, there?

Visit one of Sydney’s more popular beaches on any sunny summer’s day and you will find a myriad of beachgoers asking that very question.

A pool? There?

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Rose Bay Beach is one of Sydney’s more popular beaches. Picture: Instagram

The pool itself extends significantly from the backyard of the home adjacent to the beach and well and truly into the sand.

The somewhat dilapidated nature of the structure surrounding the pool, only adds more intrigue as to what exactly is going on.

CHANGING TIMES

Rose Bay Beach in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs goes by a myriad of names, Paradise Beach and Dog Beach among them.

But it’s perhaps best known as the only beach in Sydney, Australia, maybe the world where there is a concrete pool on the sand.

Pull up a towel for yourself and enjoy the sun and the Harbour view and it won’t be long before you hear someone ask – “how the hell can they build a pool there?”

I can’t remember the last time I visited that beach and didn’t hear someone ask it.

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The home with the beach pool can be seen in the background. Picture: Instagram

You can imagine the dogs who frequent there discussing the exact same thing amongst themselves. And perhaps whether they should take a dip in the cornered chlorine confines rather than take the risk of stepping on a sting ray in the shallow water. Something that doesn’t happen often but does happen.

Twenty years ago Rose Bay Beach was a dirty, debris-strewn strip of sand that few dared to brave, even in the height of summer. Horrid storm water drains and a lack of access made it more trouble than it was worth, even on the hottest days.

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There’s a pool in the sand Picture: Supplied

But today, it has become one of the trendiest beaches in the east.

It doesn’t have the mad crowds of Bondi, nor the Waterloo-esque battle over parking at Nielsen Park or the complete lack of access like Camp Cove.

Easy access to the local shopping village, the Rose Bay Pub and now Justin Hemmes’ super trendy Club Rose Bay, means Rose Bay Beach makes for a good day out for just about anyone. It’s also one of the area’s few dog-friendly beaches.

And a local paddle-boarding/kayak hire gives visitors another way to enjoy the water.

Which means it has something for everyone.

Including a pool in the sand.

Interesting place for a pool Picture: Supplied

The good news, if its yours, is that the pool – which strangely extends well past the lines of properties onto the samd – is legal.

The bad news is its private property.

The home is one of several, where properties front directly onto the beach and often sell for tens of millions of dollars.

Woollahra Council said the pool’s legality dates back to the old drawing up of property lines that extended onto the beach.

Dog walks and Bridge views. Picture: Instagram

Cool cafes nearby. Picture: Instagram

It’s one of the few dog-friendly beaches in the east. Picture: Instagram

Houses on the beach sell for tens of millions. Picture: Instagram

Catalina Restaurant is also nearby. Picture: Instagram

A law that is similar to the one that has land on nearby, secluded Kutty Beach extend right down to the water line and like that which applies in some parts of Europe.

“The property extends to Rose Bay Beach,” Woollahra Council told us.

“Based on aerial mapping, all structures including its swimming pool are within its boundaries

“The subdivision pattern along the beach is irregular, with a number of property boundaries located within the beach itself.”