Promenade Broadwalk

Geelong Historic Buildings

The Eastern Beach Promenade Boardwalk was built in 1939 and forms the sea wall of the last major enclosed sea bathing facility to be built on Port Phillip Bay. It is an integral part of the Eastern Beach Reserve and as the major component of the sea baths represents a transitional phase in attitudes towards sea bathing. The design of the sea baths demonstrates the move away from an enclosed bathing environment with strict segregation of the sexes, toward open air bathing and more egalitarian facilities.

The Promenade is located in the Eastern Beach Public Park. It extends in a semi-circle out into Corio Bay and forms the sea wall of the sea baths. The promenade is formed by a two level braced pier structure supported on 10in diameter yellow stringy bark piles, with blue gum superstructure, red gum decking, handrails and underneath, a fence of bronze shark proofing bars.

The condition of the Promenade has deteriorated to the extent where major reconstructions has occurred to piles, beams and decking. Deterioration is mostly due to age but also vandalism. Some of the piles have been rejacked and supported with cement