10 Secluded Swimming Spots Around Sydney For When The Beach Is Too Crowded
I hate to be melodramatic (jokes, I actually love it) but it was starting to feel like summer would never come. Then we Sydney-siders got a couple of glorious days above 20 degrees and I am READY to laze by the water all day.
Obviously Sydney has a bunch of amazing beaches to choose from, but sometimes you just want to avoid the sand, you know? We also need places to go when the beaches inevitably become too crowded and we’re trying to socially distance, like good and caring health-conscious people.
Enter, the swimming hole. In fact, enter all nine of these swimming holes that are so gorgeous you’ll be saying “beach, smeach”.
#1 Figure Eight Pools
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As someone who thoroughly enjoys the Royal National Park, I don’t understand how I’ve never heard of the Figure Eight Pools before, but just look at them. Apparently there’s a bit of a hike and you should follow the Park’s safety guide to get there, but they’re still top of my list now.
#2 Wylie’s Baths
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This Coogee beach pool is the perfect loophole to a not-beach swim. You will have to pay for entry here, and they have a few different multi-pass options, but that comes with the added benefit of knowing they’re controlling numbers for safe social distancing.
#3 Karloo Pools
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Take your dip away from the beachside altogether, and into the great Aussie bush. Karloo Pools are another Royal National Park gem, about halfway along the Karloo walking track. Apparently most hikers miss it, so it never gets too crowded.
#4 Jellybean Pool
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A little further out of Sydney, in the Blue Mountains in fact, you’ll find the pristine Jellybean Pool. The plus side it’s a shorter walk than most hidden swimming holes, and won’t take you long from Glenbrook Information Centre.
#5 Prince Alfred Pool
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I couldn’t tell you why this inner-city, Surry Hills pool gives me such calm vibes, but I used to go for paddles on my lunch breaks and all I can say is the second you’re inside the city disappears.
#6 Nellie’s Glen
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If you’re willing to take a drive, there’s nothing better than a splash beneath a waterfall. Nellie’s Glen is in Budderro National Park, about a two and a half hour drive from Sydney. Totally worth the day trip.
#7 Morning Bay
Ku-ring-gai is another National Park all Sydney-siders who like going outside should acquaint themselves with. Jump into the gentle waters of Morning Bay from the piers, explore in a kayak, or you know, do whatever you want. You can even rent a cute little boat shed and make a weekend of it.
#8 Dharawal Pools
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Dharawal National Park tends to be lesser known, but it’s only just over an hour’s drive out of the CBD and, well, just look at it! Waterfalls, mossy groves, bushland and swimming holes. Absolute perfection.
#9 Gerringong Falls
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Hidden in Budderoo National Park in Upper Kangaroo Valley, Gerringong Falls drops a dramatic 180 metres down a jagged rock face, into the valley pool below. As far as natural swimming pools go, this is perfection.
#10 North Sydney Olympic Pool
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There’s no denying that this pool probably has the best view in Sydney, at the very least it’s the best view in the harbour. Bonus points for the fact you can easily get there by train. You’ll need to book your swim now, thanks to COVID, which you can do here.
(Lead Image: Unsplash / Manny Moreno)
