Our city is home to one of the world's most recognisable structures. Indeed, when many foreigners think of Australia, all their imaginations conjure up is the Sydney Opera House. Maybe the harbour too, if they're familiar enough.
We Sydneysiders marvel over those limited visions of our great land. We wonder why Australia's wild beauty and remarkable native species only figure in passing to those not in the know. The outback, sure, and probably the kangaroos.
But what do they know about our love of swimming and our wild swimming spots? What do you know of them? In this article, we discover the best swimming spots in Sydney; those close to the central business district (CBD) and those hours away. Let us know which one is your favourite - or if you've found a new fav thanks to our list.
Wild Swimming Spots Minutes from Sydney
These are the swimming holes closest to the CBD. It takes less than an hour's travel to get to them, even by bus, as you can to get to Goburra. You may pack a picnic lunch and make a day of things but it might be a challenge to find a nice spot to spread your blanket.
Upper Gledhill Falls, Ku-ring-gai National Park
Unfortunately, as close as this delightful retreat is, it's not accessible by public transport. In fact, it's so close to the road that you will hear the occasional car pass by as you bathe. Still, with it being only 40 minutes away, it won't eat too terribly into your petrol budget.
Upper Gledhill Falls is not marked and few people know about it. As waterfalls go, it's rather modest - except after a heavy rain. Still, enough water cascades down to make this a delightful swimming hole. Park your car on McCarrs Creek Road and walk down/scramble the stone slab path for about five minutes to get to the falls.
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Lovetts Pools, Ku-ring-gai National Park
Ku-ring-gai harbours a lot of secrets. Like Upper Gledhill, Lovetts Pools is one of them. You'll have to walk much further to get to this pool but the terrain is easy and the trail is shady most of the time. Even better: along the way, you can visit the Aborigine engravings.
Those markings are a small detour along your three-kilometre walk. Park your car at the Elvina Track car park to be sure you're on the right trail. Note that the pool is quite shallow, especially in the drier months. Still, it's secluded and the water is crystal-clear. All the better to spot frolicking yabbies (and avoid stepping on them!).
Goburra Pool, Heathcote National Park
Hours into the desert north of Adelaide lies a hot springs pool that serves as a healing spa. Goburra is also a tad on the warm side, but not so warm that you won't feel refreshed as you swim.
This is a rather large pool, lined on one side with lily pads. Though the bank is rocky, you won't have too many rocks to step on once you're in the water. And if you tire of exploring this warm recreation spot, you can find other, smaller pools down- and upstream of Goburra.
Swimming Holes an Hour Away
Royal National Park is a vast wilderness expanse that lies about 30 kilometres from the CBD. It covers roughly 150 square kilometres, much of it covered in rainforest and mangroves. Thus, it's no surprise that the next three swimming holes are all in the same park.
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Karloo Pool, Royal National Park
This pool is likely the most popular of all the wild swimming spots on our list. For that reason, it's best to visit it during the week; it tends to get crowded on the weekends. Still, if that's the only time you can make the trek, try to get there early so you can beat the crowds.
Bushland surrounds this picturesque pool; its waters are a deep, emerald green. The hike from the carpark is not challenging but you must watch for fallen branches, tree roots and loose stones. Walking back after your swim, the slight uphill might raise your heart rate a little. You won't mind, though, after the delightful time you spent in the water.
Olympic Pool, Royal National Park
From Karloo Pool, you might walk further into the park to discover this huge water body. Olympic Pool is big enough for a proper swim, much as you would in an Olympic swimming pool. Along the shore, trickles of water cascade into the pool, adding nature's music to your fun.
We discovered that Perth has a swimming hole as large as Olympic while we explored Western Australia. However, it lacked the musical sound of trickling water and the surrounding vegetation was nowhere near as lush.
Kellys Falls, Near Royal National Park
Movies like to paint romantic scenes of lovers swimming near or under a waterfall. After visiting Kellys, it's easy to see why. This beautiful pool is laden with possibilities, for romance or just a fun day out. A short, 300-metre walk over an uncleared path will get you there; you'll marvel over the setting as you immerse yourself in these deep waters.
Emerald Pool, Popran National Park
If you love a good hike before your swim, this is the swimming hole for you. You'll trek just under 5 kilometres but it's all over easy terrain, most of along a fire trail. Once you arrive, the clear, still pool will take your breath away. Your day there will leave you with a sense of calm and this pool's beauty will haunt you.
Kingfisher Pool, Heathcote National Park
This pool gives you the swimming pool experience minus the chlorine and blue pool tiles. It's deep and long enough for a proper swim and its bed contains nary a rock or snag.
You can get to Heathcote National Park by public transportation but you'll have to walk a bit further to find the water. In all, count on about four kilometres, most of it over easy terrain.
Minerva Pool, Dharawal National Park
Cradled in rocky cliffs, these waters are deep and cool. This site is in no way developed: no handrails or paved paths. However, you will find signs directing you there. Note that this pool is a sacred Aboriginal site; only women and children are permitted to sample these waters.
Learning this, we flashed back to a wild swimming spot near Melbourne called Ladies Baths Falls. That name harkens back to a century ago, when males and females were not allowed to bathe together. However, male swimmers had a nearby pool, just as Minerva does, to accommodate them.
Jingga Pool, Dharawal National Park
Jingga is Minerva's companion pool. Walking along the fire trail, the Minerva Pool turn-off is about 150 metres from the car park. To reach Jingga, male swimmers must walk a further 300 metres. The extra trek is well worth your while; the pool is secluded and comes with its own waterfall.
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Swimming Spots Sydney, Under Two Hours Away
Glenbrook Gorge, Lower Blue Mountains
As we explored Queensland, we discovered that Brisbane has a swimming hole tucked into a spectacular gorge. Much as with swimming in the Glenbrook Gorge, those water enthusiasts had to be mindful of the weather. A sudden rainfall could turn a fun day out into a terrifying situation.
Kariong Brook Falls, Central Coast
Kariong is one wild swimming hole you should visit after a rain. That's when you'll catch the falls in full gush, crashing into the pool. You'll get a sense of seclusion when you swim in this pool thanks to the lush vegetation that surrounds it. However, the water tends to stay cool precisely because of that leafy cover.
Curracurrang Falls, Royal National Park
If you hanker for emerald waters and lush scenery, direct yourself to Curracurang Falls. There, you'll find the sights you crave and a delightful swim, to boot.
The pool's sandy floor guarantees that you won't smash into any rocks as you swim. The lush canopy overhead will make you feel like you're in a secret oasis. Even the roughly two kilometres you'll walk to reach it is an easy hike.
See Thru Pool, Bargo
In contrast with Curracurang, this pool is wide open, making the basin nice and warm. Even the small waterfall delivers agreeably warm water. You must remember to slip-slop-slap, lest you go home with less-than-pleasant memories of stinging sunburns.
Victoria Creek Cascades, Blue Mountains
This swimming hole is the farthest on our list, both in distance from the CBD (120km) and the hike to get there (2km). Your exertions will all be worth your amazement when you first lay eyes on this swimming spot.
Water descends a series of sandstone steps before crashing into the pool. Under the cascade, the basin floor is sandy but watch for rocks nearer to the entry points. The hike back to the car park can be a bit of a challenge so this pool sees few visitors. Still, once you take your dip, you might declare it one of the best swimming holes in Australia.
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