McKell Park, nestled on the banks of the Hawkesbury River in Brooklyn, offers a unique sheltered swimming and snorkeling experience within the historic Hawkesbury River Baths — an old-fashioned netted enclosure. The calm, shallow waters inside the baths are perfect for beginner snorkelers, while the adjacent sandy beach and shaded parkland make it a family-friendly spot. Outside the baths, the river floor offers grassy beds and rocky edges where bream and mullet dart among bullrush stands. With sweeping views across to Dangar Island and Little Wobby, this is a peaceful freshwater-meets-estuary snorkel spot far removed from Sydney's ocean crowds.
McKell Park (Brooklyn)
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Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 5.7 sWind Speed 6.9 knPrecipitation 10 mmTidal Phase flood
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Outgoing tide current outside baths
Outside the protected baths, the Hawkesbury River can develop moderate tidal currents, especially on an outgoing tide, which can carry swimmers downstream.
Moderate risk: Boat traffic
Brooklyn is a busy boating town and the waters near McKell Park see frequent boat and ferry traffic. Stay within the marked baths or keep close to shore.
Low risk: Shallow water in baths
The netted swimming baths are shallow, so care is needed to avoid striking the bottom or netting when snorkeling.
Low risk: Stingers / jellyfish
Bluebottles and other jellyfish can be swept into the Hawkesbury estuary during summer months.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
2 photos from the community
Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
From Sydney, drive north on the Pacific Highway (A1) through Hornsby to Brooklyn. Turn onto Dangar Road and follow it to the end, then turn onto Karoola Street. McKell Park is at 23-25 Karoola Street, Brooklyn. Alternatively, take the Central Coast train to Hawkesbury River Station and walk about 400m north-east to the park.
Parking & facilities
Free parking available at the park carpark at the end of Dangar Road / Karoola Street. Additional free parking at Kangaroo Point and Tom Richmond Oval nearby.
toiletsparkingpicnic_tablesdrinking_watershowers
Free entry. No fees for the park or swimming baths.
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports