Bombay Display Board: Recreation
The text, images and references of the 'Recreation' Column as featured on the Bombay display board at Bombay Reserve.
- 1910s-20s Bombay crossing became a popular picnic and swimming spot
- 1930s Popularity peaked. Given the depth of the waterhole (12-20 ft deep in places) diving became common. Local papers enthusiastically reported on the spot as a ‘swimming resort’, calling it a regular ‘Bondi’, with more than 100 people on the beach and in the water at times.
- 1935 The Braidwood Progress Association spoke of having the area gazetted as a reserve. Dressing sheds were deemed a “vital necessity” as it was “most embarrassing for a single man to go out there, as almost every bush shields a bather climbing into a costume or getting one off”. First Aid classes and a life-saving club were also proposed, as many near drownings and diving accidents occurred.
- 1939 A high diving tower and springboard were erected. ‘Diving exhibitions’ became an entertainment and abdominal crashes (belly
flops) could supposedly be heard downstream at Warri. - 1940s World War II brought a decline in use of the swimming hole.
- 1954 Tragic accidental drowning of Mr Joseph Allen. Disappeared while taking a dip after collecting mussels. His body was recovered under the bridge the following day.
- 1960s The spot regained popularity with local teens cycling or driving out. The diving boards were not replaced, but the original anchor bolts can still be seen on the rocks.
- 1970s With the volume of cars parking on Bombay Road it became increasingly dangerous to access the site.
- Early 1980s The Braidwood Lions Club were instrumental in redeveloping the area, adding amenities and creating the current picnic spot on the west bank.
- 30 July 1982 The area was formally gazetted as ‘Reserve 96175 at Little Bombay’ available for public recreation.
- 1986-7 The Reserve features as a location in ‘The Year My Voice Broke’, a film directed by John Duigan.
- 1990s Camping at Bombay Reserve was advertised and kayaking and canoeing to Warri became more common.
- 2000s After the Welcome Reef Dam was rejected, the Sydney Catchment Authority, now Water NSW, acquired much of the land on the western bank of the Shoalhaven between Bombay and Warri, including the Reserve.
- 26 Nov 2019 Suspected lightning strike sparks North Black Range fire in Tallaganda National Park. Three days later, the bushfire burnt through Bombay and the Reserve, crossing the river. The fire was officially extinguished on 28 Jan 2020 after burning 38,486 ha, destroying 4 houses and farm infrastructure in the region.
- 2021 Post-bushfires WaterNSW rebuilt the Reserve stairs and added railings.
- 2025 Installation of display board at the Reserve by Bombay Landcare Group.
Accordionist playing to a group at the swimming hole during World War II. Credit: R Chewings
WANT TO RIDE AROUND THE REGION?
Attack of the BUNS is a 3-day bikepacking route starting in Bungendore and ending in Bundanoon. Day 1 of the ride takes you from Bungendore, through Bombay to Braidwood.
Adventure motorbike riders, 4WD and horse enthusiasts also enjoy riding in the area.
*Refer to Map
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Recreation References:
- Grant family records and photos
- Gunn, R H et al. 1969, Lands of Queanbeyan-Shoalhaven Area, ACT and NSW, retrieved 28 August 2024 from <https://www.publish.csiro.au/CR/pdf/LRS24>
- Weaver, M 2020, After two long months North Black Range fire near Braidwood extinguished, accessed 28 August 2024 from <https://aboutregional.com.au/after-two-long-months-north-black-range-fire-near-braidwood-extinguished/>
- Australian Government Bereau of Meteorology, 2024, Water Data Online, accessed 28/8/2024 from <http://www.bom.gov.au/waterdata/>
- Hodgkinson, K 2009, 5846 - WELCOME REEF DAM, retrieved 31/8/2024 from <https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/papers/Pages/qanda-tracking-details.aspx?pk=49462>
- Lee, A 2012-2024, Attack of the Buns, Retrieved November 2024 <https://bikepacking.com/routes/attack-of-the-buns/>
- Shoalhaven City Council, 2016, Inquiry into Water Augmentation, retrieved 31 August 2024 <https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/lcdocs/submissions/55274/020%20Shoalhaven%20City%20Council.pdf>
- Trove, 2024, Digitised Newspapers and Gazettes in Trove, retrieved 25 October 2024 from <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/about>. Papers included:
- Braidwood Review 9 Feb 1959
- 29 Nov 1935 Braidwood Despatch
- Braidwood Review Nov 18 1941
- Braidwood Despatch Feb 26 1926
- 18 Sep 1925 Braidwood Despatch
- Oct 6 1916 Braidwood Despatch
- Australian Star 2 Oct 1894
- Goulburn Herald Aug 16 1899
- Goulburn Herald 20 May 1893
- 24 Apr 1884 Goulburn Evening Penny Post
- Braidwood Dispatch Mar 1870
This Bombay Landcare Information Board project was proudly co-funded by Bendigo Community Bank Braidwood, WaterNSW
Bombay Landcare Group and Upper Shoalhaven Landcare Council. With Special thanks to Sheep Station Creek Landcare's Christine Payne and Michael Gill for illustrations and design. Artwork © 2025 C Payne & M Gill. All rights reserved.