A woman in a pool with an Aperol Spritz. — Photograph: Supplied

Photograph: Supplied

The best places to swim in Melbourne

Take a dip at one of Melbourne's best rivers, lakes, pools and beaches

Thursday 19 December 2024

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Edited by Adena Maier

Former Lifestyle Editor

Contributor: Leah Glynn

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Are you feeling hot, hot, hot? When the sun shines in Melbourne it really shines, but luckily there are plenty of ways to cool off in the water. We've got beaches, lakes and pools, all of which are just waiting for you to dip your feet (nay, whole body) in. Stay fresh this summer at one of our favourite swimming spots in Melbourne.

Strip down to your birthday suit and try one of Victoria's best nudist beaches? Or, if you'd rather keep your clothes on, check out Victoria's best swimming holes.

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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Pools

St Kilda Sea Baths

Things to do
St Kilda

Photograph: Josie Withers

The soothing effect of swimming in natural seawater has been drawing us to the St Kilda Sea Baths since the 19th century. Bliss out in their 25-metre heated seawater pool, complete with beautiful views of the bay.

Sport and fitness
Albert Park

One of the Olympic-standard MSAC's biggest drawcards is a 50-metre outdoor pool built in 2006 and updated in 2008 to include a world-first moveable floor. There's also an indoor pool, a wave pool and a water slide.

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Le Méridien Melbourne

Hotels
Luxury hotels
Melbourne

Photograph: Dianna Snape

Is this the sexiest pool in town? We sure think so. The pièce de résistance of the new Le Méridien Melbourne is Le Splash, the showpiece 18-metre rooftop pool and terrace. And this year, for the first time ever, it's open to the public. Your summer splash pass includes a complimentary drink and sorbet – heaven!

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WaterMarc Aquatic and Leisure Centre

Sport and fitness
Greensborough

The largest leisure centre in the northern region of Victoria is famous (among kids and parents, at least) for its huge water slides and top-notch facilities, including an indoor 50-metre swimming pool.

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Adelphi Hotel

Hotels
Boutique hotels
Melbourne
price 3 of 4

Photograph: Lynton Crabb

The Adelphi’s rooftop pool is probably one of the most photographed pools in Melbourne, thanks to its cantilevering glass bottom, which juts out over Flinders Lane. It's open to hotel guests from 7am-8pm.

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Harold Holt Swim Centre

Sport and fitness
Glen Iris

Harold Holt (strangely named after our ill-fated prime minister who went missing after going swimming near Portsea) is a suburban swimming haven. Both the mosaic-tiled indoor 25-metre pool and 50-metre outdoor pool are heated, for a start.

Brighton Beach

Things to do
Brighton

Brighton's iconic bathing boxes, 82 to be exact, line the foreshore. Not only is this beach pretty to look at but it's excellent for swimming and when the wind picks up, it's a pretty decent area for surfing.

Distance from CBD: 15km by car; nearest station: Brighton Beach, 250m

Things to do
St Kilda

Photograph: Visit Victoria

With its close proximity to Acland Street, it's no wonder St Kilda has one of the most popular beaches in Melbourne. The shore is home to all kinds of sport and the water is safe for swimming.

Distance from CBD: 9km by car; trams: 3a, 16, 96

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Elwood Beach

Things to do
Elwood

Photograph: Wikimedia Commons

Over the past few decades, Elwood Beach has been developed into a top destination for wind surfing, fishing, and most of all, swimming. The prime swimming spot is located just in front of the lifesaving club.

Distance from CBD: 10km by car; nearest station: Elwood, 2.6km

Things to do
Parkdale

Mordi beach is one of those places that has everything you need within easy walking distance. There's a huge playground on the foreshore, a barbecue area and a café close by. Oh, and the water's pretty nice too.

Distance from CBD: 25km by car; nearest station: Mordialloc, 1.4km

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Williamstown Beach

Things to do
Williamstown

Photograph: Supplied

Melbourne's first sea port has developed into a trendy seaside suburb with a village feel. Stick to the western side of the beach for the best swimming, and make a day of it by exploring nearby cafés and shops.

Distance from CBD: 17km by car; nearest station: Williamstown Beach, 500m

Things to do
Black Rock

Half Moon Bay is a secluded, blue-and-yellow postcard of a beach. Named for its crescent shape, the bay is protected from weather and is popular for boating, but is equally perfect for swimming in calm waters.

Distance from CBD: 19km by car; nearest station: Cheltenham, 4.7km

Rivers and lakes

Pound Bend: Warrandyte National Park

Things to do
Warrandyte

Photograph: Nigel Kippers

As far as Yarra River swimming goes, you won't do better than Pound Bend. It's a calm, deep oasis caused by Gold Rush miners diverting the water through a tunnel in the 19th century.

Distance from CBD: 32km by car

Things to do
Melbourne

Photograph: Supplied

About one hour west of the CBD is the Lerderderg State Park, in which the pristine Lerderderg River meanders through native bushland. MacKenzie's Flat Picnic Area is the perfect spot for a swim and a lunch.

Distance from CBD: 60km by car

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Emerald Lake Park

Attractions
Parks and gardens
Emerald

Photograph: Emily Godfrey

This park lies in the heart of Emerald in the Dandenong Ranges, about an hour's drive east of Melbourne. You can't swim in the lake itself, but there is a 25-metre wading pool that is between 0.5-one metre deep and is open December through March when it's 26 degrees or warmer.

Distance from CBD: 56km by car

Things to do
Narre Warren North

Featuring a lake and parkland, Lysterfield Lake offers two protected swimming bays and tracks and trails for walking, as well as the opportunity for other water activities including sailing and canoeing.

Distance from CBD: 42km by car

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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The best places to swim in Melbourne

Strip down to your birthday suit and try one of Victoria's best nudist beaches? Or, if you'd rather keep your clothes on, check out Victoria's best swimming holes.

Pools

St Kilda Sea Baths

Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre

Le Méridien Melbourne

WaterMarc Aquatic and Leisure Centre

Adelphi Hotel

Harold Holt Swim Centre

Beaches

Brighton Beach

St Kilda Beach

Elwood Beach

Mordialloc Beach

Williamstown Beach

Half Moon Bay

Rivers and lakes

Pound Bend: Warrandyte National Park

MacKenzie's Flat picnic area

Emerald Lake Park

Lysterfield Lake