Us Sydneysiders are no strangers to the water. Our Emerald City is lined by more than 240 kilometres of sparkling coastline, with more than 100 beautiful beaches to dive right in. But once you look beyond the popular city beaches, you’ll discover plenty of secret spots to get wet and wild within easy driving distance of the city – ranging from naturally formed ocean rock pools to gorges and waterfalls hidden deep within the bush. Our mates at Lonely Planet recently rounded up the 60 coolest natural swimming spots around Australia, and two of the top five are right here in NSW.
First up is a beautiful gem of a swimming spot hidden between the trees in the Shoalhaven region. Jervis Bay is famous for its blindingly white sands (and recently ranked as Australia's most popular summer holiday destination), but it’s also home to some of the world’s rarest wildlife. Next time you’re adventuring along NSW’s South Coast, head to Green Patch Beach. A short stroll through a forest of blackbutt trees leads you to this secluded paradise, where you might come face-to-face with kangaroos, wallabies, parrots and rosellas. A refreshing swim in the sparkling, sheltered waters is a worthwhile reward – with this swimming spot ranking as the third most breathtaking in the whole country.
Another bush bash in NSW will bring you to the magical Jellybean Pool in the Blue Mountains, located just an hour’s drive from Sydney’s CBD. Shaded by a towering sandstone cliff-face and gum trees that stretch theatrically up into the sky, the pool feels divinely remote (especially on less-crowded days) – despite being one of the most easily-accessible freshwater swimming holes close to the city. While you're there, check out one of these magical bushwalks in the Blue Mountains.
You can check out our top picks for the best natural pools in Australia here, or discover Lonely Planet’s other 55 favourites from around the world in their recent book, The Joy of Wild Swimming.
Here are five of Australia’s best wild swimming spots:
- Dalmanyi, NT
- Booloumba Creek, QLD
- Green Patch Beach, NSW
- Jellybean Pool, NSW
- Lake Williams, WA
Remember that there are always risks involved with swimming, especially at unpatrolled places. Always take care to check things such as depth and currents before swimming or jumping into water, and confirm that others you’re swimming with are confident in the water before entering any swimming spot. If you're not a confident, experienced swimmer, avoid unpatrolled swimming spots altogether.