Summer is here, and you know what that means: it’s time to find some water, and fast. This year, skip the usual summer grind of fighting for a patch of sand at Bondi or wading through the crowds at your local swimming pool, and drive out to a natural swimming spot just outside city limits. NSW boasts an impressive collection of swimming holes, and they’re the perfect alternative to city beaches. Perfectly carved out by nature, these photogenic spots offer pristine waters, secluded bush settings and far fewer crowds. Some even come with their own private waterfalls. Here are some of the most stunning wild swimming holes just a stone’s throw from Sydney.
1. Karloo Pools, Royal National Park
Karloo Pools is the undisputed champion when it comes to a true taste of the wilderness. While the Royal National Park is chock-full of delightful swimming spots, this is one of the few places you can easily access straight from a train station. A refreshing 3km walk through the bush leads to a stunning, crystal-clear waterhole perfect for a summer dip. The pool is surprisingly huge and surrounded by smooth, flat rock platforms that are tailor-made for sunbathing and laying out a leisurely post-swim picnic. Best of all, you don’t need a car to get here, the trail starting just minutes from Heathcote Station and follows the well-signposted Uloola Track into the heart of the park.
Distance from Sydney: 45 minutes by train from Central to Heathcote
2. Upper Gledhill Falls, Ku-ring-gai Chase
Nestled within the dense bushland of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Upper Gledhill Falls is a low-effort and surprisingly tranquil escape less than an hour from Sydney’s CBD. This small waterfall tumbles into a wide, emerald pool, creating a tranquil swimming amphitheatre surrounded by lush bushland that feels miles from the city, despite being just a short 100-metre walk from the car park. The pool is deep enough for a swim, or you can just float around beneath the falls. It’s an easy stop on a bushwalk through the area and, while popular among locals, mornings are usually quieter with far fewer people around.
Time from Sydney: Less than an hour’s drive
3. Ladies Well, Chichester State Forest
If you thought finding a perfect natural pool meant hours of hiking, you’ll want to keep Ladies Well on your radar. Located in Chichester State Forest near Barrington Tops, this natural swimming pool is extra special because you can park up and be in the water in literally minutes. The Allyn River feeds several pools here, and the water is cool and clear all year round. Plus, it feels completely wild and remote, enveloped by lush green forests. There’s also a campsite around the corner if you want to stay a while and make the most of your trip here.
Time from Sydney: Around 3-3.5 hours
4. Emerald Pool, Popran National Park
Emerald Pool sits along a quiet forest creek in Popran National Park and feels far more remote than its location suggests. It takes a bit of effort to get here but it’s well worth the long hike. Follow the long but well-shaded Hominy Creek track, surrounded by massive eucalypts and ferns all the way down to the water and be rewarded by a genuinely unspoilt swimming hole. The pool is small, but deep enough for a proper swim, making it a perfect payoff after the hike. Wildlife is part of the experience here too, and it’s not unusual to spot frogs along the creek banks. Read more about how to get there on NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Time from Sydney: Around 1.5 hour drive
5. Giles Baths, Coogee Beach
Hidden on the northern headland of Coogee Beach, Giles Baths is a naturally sculpted rock pool and could easily be one of Sydney’s prettiest. Locally known as the ‘Bogey Hole,’ the pool is constantly refreshed by the tide with fresh seawater, the perfect antidote to a hot summer afternoon. With strikingly clear blue waters and enough space for proper laps, this is a go-to spot for snorkellers and thrill seekers alike. It’s accessed via a short set of steps off the Coogee to Clovelly coastal walk or through Dunningham Reserve and is best visited when conditions are gentle.
Time from Sydney: Around 30-40 minutes from the CBD
6. Jellybean Pool
Jellybean Pool is one of the most picturesque and easiest natural swimming spots to reach in the Blue Mountains, making it a go-to on hot days. Located near Glenbrook in the Euroka section of the national park, the walk here takes only around 20 minutes and follows a well-formed track down into the gorge. At the bottom, you’ll find a wide, calm pool fed by Glenbrook Creek, with sandstone ledges on either side that are perfect for soaking up the sun, but avoid jumping in here as rocks can be hidden in the water. Summer afternoons often draw crowds to this stunning waterhole so aim to visit earlier in the day or outside of school hours. Read more about the Jellybean Track here.
Time from Sydney: Less than an hour’s drive