We Aussies are very outdoor-oriented; much of Australian culture centres around water. From the fabled Bondi Beach to the comical misuses of 'billabong' in foreign media, it often feels like Australia's aquatic hotspots are the talk of the town. As that's the case, we should give them swimming spots to talk about.
This article lays out the most enticing pools for wild swimming across Australia. We'll discover desert oases and secret swimming spots tucked under lush rainforest canopies. Instead of scouring the internet for 'swimming holes near me', you can page down to find our top five picks for wild swimming in your state.
Where to do Wild Swimming in Australia
Sometimes, bathers don't want to lounge around on Australia's most popular beaches. We like to explore our environment and discover natural pools far off the beaten path. Sampling waters in quiet coves is a fine way to bypass all those Instagrammers snapping up our iconic strands. It's also a great way to keep sand out of our shoes, shorts, and cars.
National parks protect many of our best wild swimming holes. Some have easy-access trails and signage directing you to them. Others require longer, more arduous hikes along steep grades on unmarked paths. This gives your wild swimming pursuits a 'choose your adventure' feel.
Before we describe our best picks for wild swimming across Australia, we inject three cautionary notes. Safety is the most important one. Some of these swimming spots lie deep in the brush and/or within gorges. Anything from a sudden, hard rain to a slip and fall on a haphazard path could put a quick end to a fun day out.
Also, beware that many of these natural pools have no amenities. You must pack in your water and food and pack out your waste. Some may be off-limits or restrict swimming due to current environmental conditions. Always check for any advisories before you set out on your wild swimming adventure.
Finally, we remind you that 'best' is subjective. You might not like long treks through the wilderness. You might not consider any wild swimming spots you have to hike to 'the best'. With all of this in mind, we now begin our exploration of swimming spots across Australia.
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Best Swimming Spots in Sydney and NSW
Royal National Park in New South Wales (NSW) boasts one of Australia's most dramatic coastlines. Hiking along the Coast Walk treats you to stunning vistas and gigantic rocky outcrops like this one.
However, travelling inland brings you to a collection of natural pools and waterfalls. Tucked in the Riparian Forest and scattered through the rainforest, these basins are some of the best swimming in NSW. (Photo by Sergio Otoya on Unsplash)
Karloo Pool is likely the most renowned spot for wild swimming in NSW. Weekends see many revellers splashing around but if you get there early, you may avoid the biggest crowds. Or you might wander a bit further down the path to Olympic Pool. It's much bigger and has fewer rocks on its floor.
If you've ever bashed your knee or elbow in a shallow pool, you'll know the significance of that. Lovett's Pool, in Ku-ring-gai National Park, is quite shallow. This one's a bit off the beaten path but its seclusion makes up for its lack of depth.
If you don't mind a bit of a drive, See Thru Pool in Bargo offers a delightful, wild swimming experience. Just be sure to remember sunblock; you'll need to slip-slop-slap for this one. This pool is nothing but clear water under open skies, making these waters among the warmer of NSW swimming spots.
Melbourne and Victoria's Best Swimming Holes
Wilsons Prom National Park lies about two and a half hours away from Melbourne's Central Business District (CBD). Like Royal Park in NSW, you can hike its coastal trail or venture inland for more secluded swimming spots.
The coastal trail views are spectacular, especially from atop Mount Oberon. That vantage point lets you take in all the beaches, including one with a half-buried wreck. (Photo by Ryan Jubber on Unsplash)
Some of Victoria's best swimming spots are less than an hour away from the Melbourne CBD. For instance, Warrandyte National Park is only 45 minutes away. After that short commute, you can enjoy swimming holes all along the Yarra River, which runs through the park.
Pound Bend was our favourite in this park but Victoria has many other secluded spots and open beaches to enjoy. This table lists five that we found unique.
| Swimming Hole | Park | Distance from CBD |
| MacKenzie's Flat | Lerderderg State Park | one hour's drive |
| Gooram Falls | Seven Creeks Wildlife Reserve | two hours' drive |
| Fairy's Cove | Wilsons Prom National Park | 2.5 hours' drive |
| Lake Catani | Mount Buffalo National Park | four hours' drive |
| Wingan River | Croajingolong National Park | seven hours' drive |
Brisbane and Queensland's Natural Swimming Spots
Queensland's terrain ranges from pastoral flatlands to craggy mountains covered in rainforest. It too boasts stunning coastline vistas; hence city names like Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
Hiking through Queensland's wilderness, we find many hidden swimming spots. This swimming hole is in Crow's Nest National Park, which is renowned for its waterfalls and wildlife. (Photo by the Royal Geographical Society of Queensland via Wikipedia).
Arguably, Lake Moogerah and Tallebudgera Creek are far more popular but that means they're also more crowded. For a quiet dip in a remote setting, Rocky Hole is the pool for you. You can get there without a four-wheel drive but you'll have to walk much further. If that's too much adventure, D'Aguilar National Park has many other water holes for you to get your swim on.
Kondallila Falls may be Queensland's most sought-after swimming experience. It's easy to access after a stroll down a marked walking path. These other natural swimming pools in Queensland pose varying degrees of challenge but their rewards are great.
| Swimming Hole | Park/Location | Distance from Brisbane CBD |
| Gardner Falls | Sunshine Coast hinterland | 1.5 hours |
| Wappa Falls | West of Yandina | 1.5 hours |
| The Gorge Lake | Lake Moogerah complex | 1.5 hours |
| Bunya Riverside Reserve | Moreton Bay Region | 30 minutes |
| Enoggera Dam | D’Aguilar National Park | 30 minutes |
Spots for wild swimming in Perth and Western Australia
The Western Australia landscape is dotted with mystical swimming spots such as this one. Some demand an arduous trek to reach them while others lie just minutes outside of Perth. One of WA's Rocky Pools is just 30 minutes away from Perth's CBD; the other is nine hours due north.
Wungong Dam Park is less than an hour away. This swimming hole and the park are especially crowded during wildflower season. And if you want your dog to enjoy a day in the water, you'll have to head further afield. (Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash)
With all the water access and wild swimming spots in and around Perth, it's hard to pick a 'best'. Perthlings proclaim Serpentine Falls, Bitcon Baths and Oakley Dam their favourite swimming spots. Those three are very close to Perth's CBD but travelling further out, you'll discover genuine aquatic treasures. These were our top five favourites.
| Swimming hole | Park/Location | Distance |
| Lake Leschenaultia | Shire of Mundaring | ~ one hour |
| Serpentine Falls | Serpentine Falls National Park | ~ one hour |
| Black Diamond Lake | Collie State Forest complex | two hours |
| Long Pool | On the Collie River | ~ two hours |
| Logue Brook Dam | On the Darling Scarp, near Yarloop | 1.5 hours |
Swim in open waters in Adelaide and South Australia
Snorkelling and diving are favourite water activities in South Australia. The Cathedral at Piccaninnie Ponds presents one of Australia's most challenging dives. The descent is similar to the one pictured, but with a much smaller entry point.
Should you prefer leisurely paddling to vigorous water exploration, the Pool of Siloam is the body of water for you. Its high salt content will help keep you afloat while providing healing benefits. (Photo by NEOM on Unsplash)
Of all the wild swimming holes we explored across Australia, Dalhousie Springs made the greatest impression. Located on the edge of the Simpson Desert, the Great Artisan Aquifer serves as their source. Those springs haunted us as we splashed around other populated pools and secret swimming holes in South Australia. Here's a sampling of other swimming spots we found.
| Swimming hole | Park/Location | Distance |
| Whalers Way | Southern Eyre Peninsula | ~ 7 hours |
| Shell Beach | Innes National Park | ~ 3 hours |
| Second Valley Beach | Encounter Marine Park | ~ 1 hour 45 mins |
| Maslin Beach | Southeast of Adelaide CBD | ~ 40 minutes |
| (several throughout the park) | Deep Creek National Park | ~ 1 hour 30 mins |
Does your favourite swimming hole feature on our list? Tell us all about your watery getaways in the comments section. Don't forget to mention what you like the most about them. You might even share your list of wild swimming dream destinations.
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