The story of this place
Coogee Beach has been a swimming spot since the 1830s, but on December 12, 1922, it became the site of Sydney's last fatal shark attack at a patrolled beach. Champion swimmer Jack Chalmers was taken by a shark while competing in a race watched by hundreds. The attack led to the development of shark netting and changed beach safety forever. Before the tragedy, Coogee had built a shark net enclosure in 1906—one of the world's first. Today, the beach is famous for its coastal walk connection to Bondi, its historic women's baths (established 1876), and as the calmer, more family-friendly alternative to its famous neighbor.