The Victoria Baths Swimmers are a colourful and playful tribute to Geelong’s early seaside history.

Created by local artist Jan Mitchell between 1994 and 1999, these four painted wooden bollards reference the long-closed Victoria Bathing Establishment, which first opened in 1870.

The figures are dressed in modest, neck-to-knee swimming costumes typical of the 1870s. However, Mitchell added bright swimming caps for fun, giving them the look of vintage lifesavers. This light-hearted touch has become one of the artworks’ most loved features.

Today, the Victoria Baths Swimmers celebrate Geelong’s long connection to the water, adding colour, humour and a splash of history to the waterfront.