Lameroo Beach

Lameroo Beach lies below the Esplanade in Darwin, featuring a rocky tidal zone reached by stairs that wind through tropical rainforest. The beach extends along the waterfront and connects the city center with the waters of the estuary arm.

The Darwin ocean baths operated at this location from 1922 to 1974, serving as the city's primary swimming facility. Cyclone Tracy caused substantial damage to the facility in 1974 and led to its closure.

The name comes from Damoe-Ra, meaning eye or spring in the language of the Larrakia people who traveled by canoe for ceremonies. The beach serves today as a gathering place for walkers and observers of the estuary, especially during the cooler parts of the day.

Swimming is not possible due to saltwater crocodiles and Irukandji jellyfish, and there is no lifeguard on duty. It is safer to use the beach for walking and observing, particularly in early morning or late afternoon hours.

Between 1969 and 1974, the beach served as a camping ground for up to 400 tent campers before legislation banned overnight stays along the foreshore. This era shaped the spot as an informal gathering place for a more unconventional way of living before rules tightened.