Lorna Doone Pool is a picture perfect swimming hole close to Carrington Falls. It’s one of those places that instantly captivates, with deep emerald water surrounded by mossy canyon walls which give it a fairy grotto feel.
It’s the sort of place dreams are made of and one of the most atmospheric swimming spots close to Sydney. It’s located down an un-signposted track which keeps it hidden away from all but those in the know.
Here’s how to find the spectacular Lorna Doone Pool and what to expect when you do.
The walk to Lorna Doone Pool
The stats
Distance: 2.2km return
Elevation gain: 60m
Difficulty: Easy but with one scramble
Where to start the trail
There is only room for a couple of cars to park by the trailhead and there isn’t anywhere else to park nearby (that we could see). For this reason it’s one of those spots where if you do happen to turn up and there is another car there, you are better off going and coming back.
There are two more stunning wild swimming spots which are just down the road which we detail in this post. Please park responsibly and don’t block the road - it’s a single lane country road.
With that in mind, the parking area is at these coordinates: -34.6149564,150.6223521 (or you can use Google Maps and click here), you can pull fully off the road just before the no overtaking or passing signpost.
The parking spot is just by this sign
Starting the trail: into the bush
Technically there is a Budderoo National Park signpost just beside the trailhead, but it’s so overgrown you’d never spot it unless you were looking hard!
Luckily the trail itself is in pretty good condition and easy to follow for the majority of the way.
You’ll head along a narrow dirt track through the bush with rolling green farmland to your left. The path is completely flat, but if you’re visiting after heavy rain, it can get muddy.
It’s not too bad, but you’ll want shoes with grip for the short sections which become a bit squelchy. This lasts for around half the trail - which isn’t that far, as the whole trail is only a little over a kilometre!
Other than the potential mud, there are lots of sticks underfoot and the occasional fallen branches, but it’s still a very easy walk. After 800m of flat track the path begins to head very gently downhill.
Onto the hidden waterfall
Approximately 1km into the trail and 200m after you begin descending, you need to look out for an unmarked path heading left (north).
There were some sticks beside it, but this could change over time.
The branches covering the trail at the turning
The trail to the pool heading north
Roughly 10m later you’ll come to a fork in the track. The path on the right takes you to a view over a tiered waterfall on the opposite side of the creek.
It takes just a minute to reach and is definitely worth a look after rain. The path is a tad overgrown and then fades away entirely, but you can clearly see the rocky platform you need to head towards to see the falls.
After viewing the waterfall, you need to head back to the fork and turn left to head towards the pool.
To Lorna Doone Pool
Following the path left you are now just 50m from the scramble down to the pool. It’s straightforward and obvious to follow and you’ll soon arrive at some large rocks and catch a glimpse of the edge of the pool below.
The scramble to the bottom is a further 50m, and is easy but for the very last few steps where the final boulder is a fair way above the ground below. I just sat on the rock and slid off on my bum which is a very easy way to get down.
If you’re used to scrambling, you won’t think twice, and if not, just go carefully. It’s not that high really, it’s just you can’t reach the bottom with your legs until you push off.
You will then be standing a few seconds from the water and the paradise swimming hole that is Lorna Doone Pool.
Swimming at Lorna Doone
The swimming hole is so beautiful. You’re surrounded by mossy canyon walls and plenty of trees which give it a secluded feel. The water is a deep emerald green and the small waterfall completes this incredibly atmospheric scene.
I didn’t know what to expect from the pool before visiting and I was blown away. It really does have the wow factor.
In terms of swimming, the water is very cold - even when we visited in summer. I don’t mind cold water, but it might be a bit of a shock if you’re not used to cold swimming holes!
Entering the water is easy, you can just walk straight off the side of the bank. It gets deep very quickly but then has a number of shallow patches at different points in the pool.
You can definitely still have a proper swim, but I was surprised to find shallow water close to the waterfall when it was really deep by the river bank.
You can also check out the cascades to the left, but if going through the water, rather than along the boulders, it is quite obstructed with logs and rocks.
It’s another gorgeous area though and feels very wild and jungly.
Heading back
The walk back is all straightforward, but for the very first steps which are back up that tall boulder at the end of the scramble.
I found it easier to go on my bum again and hoist myself up, as I am not that flexible with long leg stretches!
After that it’s all smooth sailing, starting uphill and then hitting the flat path again.
Just watch out when you get to the top of the scramble that you head back on the main path and don’t take one of the other trails that quickly become a bushbash.
Facilities at the Pool - keep it wild
There are no facilities whatsoever at either the pool or the trailhead. Please carry out any rubbish with you and note there aren’t any toilets anywhere near the trail. Let’s keep these beautiful places wild and pristine for future generations to come.
Getting to Lorna Doone Pool
The pool is located in Budderoo National Park, close to the town of Robertson in the Southern Highlands. It’s basically the other side of Carrington Falls to the main visitor area - a 15 minute drive away.
It’s roughly a 1 hour 50 minute drive from Sydney CBD.
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