I’m going to come right out and say it: I prefer swimming in waterholes to swimming in the ocean! It might be unusual for a Sydneysider, but there’s just something about the experience of swimming under a waterfall or in a secluded pool in the bush. I love it.
We spent a whole summer making our way around all the best spots close to Sydney, so I guarantee you’ll find one you love on this list. There is something for everyone, from those that require little effort to reach, to some that are a bit more adventurous. All are absolutely beautiful.
Here are the best wild swimming spots close to Sydney.
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1: Lower Gledhill Falls - Ku-ring-gai Chase NP
2: Olympic Pool - Royal NP
3: Jingga Pool - Dharawal NP
4: Engadine Lagoon - Engadine
5: Karloo Pools - Royal NP
6: Aqua Pool - Bargo
7: Lake Eckersley - Heathcote NP
8: Curracurrang Falls - Royal NP
9: Goburra Pool - Heathcote NP
10: Lovetts Pool - Ku-ring-gai Chase NP
11: The Needles - Engadine
12: Minerva Pool - Dharawal NP
13: Kingfisher Pool - Heathcote NP
14: Little River - Thirlmere
15: Emerald Pool - Central Coast
16: Upper Gledhill Falls
17: See Thru Pool - Bargo
18: Kariong Brook - Central Coast
19: Winifred Falls - Royal NP
20: Southwest Arm Pool - Royal NP
Leave them wild
The vast majority of places on this list have no facilities whatsoever. Please take all your rubbish with you and leave these spots pristine so we can continue to keep sharing them with you. We know that the vast majority of people would never dream of littering, but the odd person spoils it for everyone!
The best wild swimming spots close to Sydney
1. Lower Gledhill Falls, Ku-ring-gai National Park
Popularity: Quiet
Region: Ku-ring-gai National Park, North of Sydney
Walk length required: 1.3km return
Accessible by public transport: No
The hidden pool at Lower Gledhill Falls is such a surprise, with tall cliff walls which almost feel canyon like, yet it’s right here in Ku-ring-gai National Park! The views behind the pool are no less spectacular, with the dense forest and boulders which are so unexpected after walking through the dry bushland above.
The lower falls cascade into a large deep swimming hole with clear green water, perfect for a tranquil dip.
The walk to the falls is predominantly flat and almost all on a well formed track. The final descent to the falls can be made in one of two ways: the easy way, or the hard way!
The easy way is via a short rock scramble and the harder way involves climbing down a bit of cliff wall aided by fixed ropes.
We detail how to find the hidden swimming hole in this guide.
2. Olympic Pool, Royal National Park
Popularity: Quiet
Region: Royal National Park
Walk length required: 5.3km return via the shortest route
Accessible by public transport: Yes
Olympic Pool is just that. An absolutely giant waterhole, possibly the biggest that I’ve swum in close to Sydney.
If you love a proper swim, much like you would in a swimming pool, this is the one for you! It’s a fabulous pool and surrounded by pretty bushland and small cascades.
Accessing the water is easy, although you do have to negotiate quite a long period of walking over shallow rock under the water (it wasn’t very slippery though).
There are a couple of ways of getting there and we detail both options in this guide. There are many pools close by if you decide to make a whole day of it!
3. Jingga Pool, Dharawal National Park
Popularity: Moderately popular
Region: Dharawal National Park, near Campbelltown
Walk length required: 3.4km return
Accessible by public transport: No
Jingga Pool is stunning. It’s huge yet secluded and even has its own waterfall cascading into it. In terms of room to swim and lack of rocks to bump into, it’s probably one of the very best on this list.
Swimming here is so relaxing and one of those experiences that makes you feel lucky to be alive.
Access to the water is not difficult, but you do have to climb down a couple of large boulders which have decent grip when it’s dry. The walk to get to the pool is mainly downhill on the way and a short, but steep climb on the way back up. The path is stony and loose in places so it’s best to have shoes with some grip.
You can read more about it in our Jingga Pool guide.
4. Engadine Lagoon, Engadine
Popularity: Quiet
Region: Engadine, South of Sydney
Walk length required: 2.9km return
Accessible by public transport: Yes, but requires a train to Engadine, a bus and then short walk to trailhead
Engadine Lagoon is utterly fabulous: a huuuge swimming hole, with clear water and a tranquil setting that feels a million miles away from the city.
Inexplicably it is almost always empty despite being one of the best places to swim in Sydney!
The walk to the lagoon is a mixture of a wide easy path and then a rougher, rocky track as you get closer to the pool. The rougher section is not what I’d call scrambling, but does involve climbing down rocks at times.
You can return the same way, or take a more challenging circuit route via another great swimming hole, The Needles, which adds on a few hundred metres extra walking.
Whichever route you take you have a bit of a steep climb to return to the car park, but it's worth it.
You can read more in our detailed guide to Engadine Lagoon.
5. Karloo Pools, Royal National Park
Popularity: Can become very busy on hot weekends
Region: Royal National Park
Walk length required: 5.4km return
Accessible by public transport: Yes
Karloo Pool is no secret, but it’s poplar for a reason. The deep emerald swimming hole is divine. It’s surrounded by bushland and incredibly picturesque.
It’s a big enough pool for a proper swim and it’s easy to get in and out of the water. It’s basically wild swimming heaven and wows me every time.
However, there is one caveat: it can get crowded on sunny weekends and that definitely spoils the vibe. If you can’t come midweek, I’d recommend coming very early in the morning in order to experience it in absolute serenity.
The walk to get there is not difficult, but the path is not manicured, with rocks and tree roots to negotiate. There’s also a fair amount of uphill to do on the way back.
You can read more about it in our detailed guide to the Karloo Track.
6. Aqua Pool, Bargo
Popularity: Quiet
Region: Bargo, between Campbelltown and Bowral
Walk length required: 2.8km return
Accessible by public transport: No
Swimming in the shimmering blue waters of Aqua Pool is a wild swimmers delight. And if you have more energy you can continue a little further down river to dip in various secluded spots under the shade of the eucalypt covered rock walls.
Wherever you choose to take a dip, the water is clear and inviting.
The walk to reach the pools is relatively short, though you do have a bit of a hill to climb on the way back out. The path is rough in places, but not slippery.
Once you’re down at the river the trail is flat and you can visit all the swimming holes with ease. There are no signposts, but we have you covered with directions in this guide.
7. Lake Eckersley, Heathcote National Park
Popularity: Moderate
Region: Heathcote, South of Sydney
Accessible by public transport: Yes, train to Heathcote and walk to trailhead
Walk length required: 7.9km return
Lake Eckersley is my favourite swimming spot in Heathcote National Park. The water is so clear and the pool is surrounded by forested hills and boulders which give it a more wild feel than others in the area.
It also has a really tranquil vibe, I could feel a peacefulness wash over me the more time I spent there.
Whilst the walk to get to the main part of the lake is easy and on a maintained trail, the final few hundred metres to the best swimming spot are off track and a touch rough.
However, it’s a really short section and totally worth it. The walk to the lake has a couple of downhill sections on the way, but a significant amount of the track is flat and you'll pass by the pretty Mirang Pool if you want to break up the walk with an extra dip on route.
Lake Eckersley
Mirang Pool
You can read how to find the off track swimming spot in our detailed Lake Eckersley guide.
8. Curracurrang Falls, Royal National Park
Popularity: Can get busy on sunny weekends
Region: Royal National Park
Walk length required: 4.2km circuit
Accessible by public transport: No
This has to be one of the very best swimming holes close to Sydney. It’s honestly like entering a dream world, with a small picturesque waterfall cascading into a deep emerald pool.
To get here you pass by a little palm jungle and a huge overhang and it feels like a secret oasis.
The pool is one of my favourites to swim in, with deep water and very few rocks to bump into. It’s also easy access, with a sandy bottom and no slippery rocks to negotiate.
The walk to get here is easy too, but once you leave the main Coast Track, it’s unmarked. We have all the details to get you there in this post.
9. Goburra Pool, Heathcote National Park
Popularity: Quiet
Region: Heathcote, South of Sydney
Walk length required: 1.2km return
Accessible by public transport: Yes with a little extra walking
Lovers of warm water will rejoice when they dip their toes in the beautiful Goburra Pool. It's easily one of the warmest pools I've swum in, and in summer can almost feel too warm to be refreshing. Almost!
It's a gigantic swimming hole and incredibly picturesque, with a lovely bush setting and pretty lilly pads along one side.
Accessing the water is easy and swimming is really relaxing, with virtually no submerged rocks to contend with along the middle of the pool.
There are additional swimming holes both up and downstream of Goburra if you want to make a day of waterhole hopping.
The walk to get there is easy but not flat. Here are all the details, including how to find the pool which is not signposted.
10. Lovetts Pools, Ku-ring-gai National Park
Popularity: Quiet
Region: Ku-ring-gai National Park, North of Sydney
Walk length required: 3km return
Accessible by public transport: No
Lovetts Pools is a gorgeous little haven in the bush. It's incredibly picturesque and one of those places which instantly feels relaxing.
It's tucked away down an unmarked side trail which keeps it wonderfully quiet and secluded.
The pool is quite small and the water shallow, so it's not one for a proper swim, but absolutely perfect for lazing around in the water.
You usually only have to share it with the resident yabbies! The walk to get there is easy and predominantly flat.
You can read more in our detailed Lovetts Pool guide.
11. The Needles, Engadine
Popularity: Moderate, busy on weekends
Region: Engadine, South of Sydney
Walk length required: 1.5km return
Accessible by public transport: Yes, but requires a train to Engadine, a bus and then short walk to trailhead
The Needles is a fantastic wild swimming spot, with deep green water and a pretty bush setting. It’s also incredibly easy to reach, so it’s unsurprisingly a very popular spot.
There’s plenty of space for a proper swim and if it is too busy on your visit, there are other much quieter spots downstream.
The main pool catches the afternoon sun, which makes it perfect for an early evening dip. As it sits outside both the nearby national parks, it’s also dog friendly and you'll often see pups here enjoying a paddle.
The quickest route to The Needles is an easy return walk on a concrete fire trail. I say easy due to the terrain, but it is a steep downhill walk, so you have a steep, but short climb back up to your car when you’ve had a dip.
You can read more about the walk and swimming hole in our Needles guide.
12. Minerva Pool, Dharawal National Park
Popularity: Moderate
Region: Dharawal National Park, near Campbelltown
Walk length required: 3.4km return
Accessible by public transport: No
Minerva Pool is located close to Jingga Pool and visiting both on one afternoon is hard to beat! Like Jingga, Minerva Pool is huge and swimming here is an absolute delight.
We hate to break it to any men reading this post, but Minerva Pool is a sacred Aboriginal site and only women are allowed to swim here. As mentioned though, you can swim at nearby Jingga Pool, which is just as beautiful.
To get into the water you need to walk along the cliff on the left side of the pool and then walk down the slope and into the water. It’s nice and grippy in dry weather.
The walk to get to the pool is a mix of fire trail and bush track. There are some rocks and tree roots, as well as some uphill sections (on the way back), but nothing difficult.
We have the full details on the walk and both pools (as well as a third option) in this post.
13. Kingfisher Pool, Heathcote National Park
Popularity: Moderate
Region: Heathcote, south of Sydney
Walk length required: 4km return
Accessible by public transport: Yes with extra walking
Kingfisher Pool is a little bush haven in Heathcote National Park. It’s a big, deep and very picturesque waterhole which never seems to get busy.
You can swim proper lengths in here if you’re so inclined and despite swimming back and forth for ages I never hit a pesky rock! Getting into the water is easy as you can just walk off the rocky platform and straight in to the pool.
Access to the pool is via the Bullawarring Track, but the main path will take you along the top of the pool. You need to head off the main track, along the little path in the bush and follow it downhill to the edge of the pool.
The walk is generally easy enough, although there is some rocky terrain and a bit of a hill on the way back. You can read more in our full Kingfisher Pool guide.
14. Little River, Thirlmere
Popularity: Quiet
Region: Thirlmere, between Campbelltown and Bowral
Walk length required: 17.6km return
Accessible by public transport: No
This is one for the real enthusiasts, just how far would you go for a really idyllic swimming hole? If your answer is pretty far, then you should give this incredible spot on Little River a go. The reward for your efforts is a truly special swim spot that you’re almost guaranteed to get to yourself.
The water is as clear as I’ve ever seen in my life and the views are spectacular. It’s one of those places that you have to experience for yourself, there’s just something about the feel of the place that is so enchanting.
There are many spots along Little River that are far easier to reach, but if you’re up for a long walk, then you won’t be disappointed with this one.
Though the walk is very long, it's all on fire trail, so the terrain is good. There are many undulations, but much of the track is nice and shady.
You can read more in our Couridjah Corridor Track guide.
15. Emerald Pool, Popran National Park
Popularity: Quiet
Region: Central Coast
Walk length required: 9.6km return
Accessible by public transport: No
Reaching Emerald Pool does involve a bit of an investment, it’s one of the longer walks on this list. It’s definitely worth it though and the walk generally keeps this pristine spot wonderfully quiet.
It’s a small pool but it’s in such a picturesque location, and it has a really lovely feel about it. I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is, but I felt so incredibly at peace here.
The water is easy to access and the pool is deep enough for a proper swim. You’ll probably share it with a few little yabbies! The walk to get here, whilst long, is easy. It’s almost all fire trail and whilst there is some elevation gain over the course of the track, there are no steep hills.
We’ve got all the details in our Emerald Pool guide.
16. Upper Gledhill Falls, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
Popularity: Moderate
Region: Ku-ring-gai, North of Sydney
Walk length required: 5 minutes
Accessible by public transport: No
Upper Gledhill Falls is a little gem. It’s just off the main road through Ku-ring-gai National Park, but it’s not signposted and you’d never know it was there. Whilst the waterfall is quite modest (unless there’s been a lot of rain), the swimming hole is stunning.
It’s not a wilderness experience due to the road (you can hear cars passing from time to time) but when you think that a spot this gorgeous is less than a five minute walk, you have to forgive that!
It’s quite easy to get into the water, you just have to climb over a couple of rocks, but the path to get to the falls from the road is a little rough. You’ll want decent shoes with grip or go barefoot if it’s been raining, as it does get quite muddy.
There are a couple of rocks to climb down and a narrow ledge to traverse (no exposure), but it doesn’t take long and is well worth it to access one of the easiest waterfalls to swim under close to Sydney.
We have a detailed guide to visiting Upper Gledhill Falls here.
17. See Thru Pool, Bargo
Popularity: Moderate
Region: Bargo, between Campbelltown & Bowral
Walk length required: 3km return
Accessible by public transport: No
See Thru Pool is yet another delightful waterfall you can swim under. The pool is large and deep and it’s a wonderful place to take a dip. You do have to watch for submerged rocks though - I did bump into a couple here and there.
The water is lovely and deep and it’s fully exposed to the sun, so it’s actually pretty warm during the summer! Getting in and out of the water can be done in one of two ways.
Either sliding off the rock (it’s not high by any means) or walking to the far right end of the pool, and simply stepping off the rocks into the shallow water. I slid in, but used the shallow route out, although there is a rope to help you up the rock if required.
The walk to get to the pool is easy and mainly on a flat path, although there are some rocks to climb down as you get close to the pool.
It’s very close to a series of other sublime swimming holes further along the gorge, which we highly recommend if you have the time. Full details on the all the pools can be found in our guide to Tahmoor Gorge.
18. Kariong Brook Falls, Central Coast
Popularity: Moderately popular on sunny weekends
Region: Central Coast
Walk length required: 6.4km return
Accessible by public transport: No
The first time I set eyes on Kariong Brook Falls I couldn’t believe it had taken us so long to visit. It’s absolutely beautiful, particularly after rain.
The pool is a good size and surrounded by cliffs and dense trees which gives it a lovely secluded feel.
The water doesn’t see a lot of sun so it’s pretty cold, and you’ll want to visit when the air temperature is quite warm. Getting into the water is easy from various points.
The walk to reach the falls is on flat fire trail for the majority of the way, but then becomes a bush track for the final 800m. It is quite rocky and steepish in places, but nothing too difficult.
Here are all the details on the walking track. If you want to make a longer day of it, Kariong Brook Falls is located close to the Woy Woy trough waterfall and you can easily combine the two.
19. Winifred Falls, Royal National Park
Popularity: Can be popular on hot weekends
Region: Royal National Park
Walk length required: 3km return
Accessible by public transport: No
Winifred Falls is a small but fabulous waterfall you can swim under. Well that is assuming that you’re not visiting during a long dry spell when it can reduce to a mere trickle. The pool is a good size and is surrounded by bushland and high cliffs which makes for a wonderful setting.
If you are lucky enough to get this spot to yourself (come early on sunny weekends), it’s such a treat.
To get into the pool you do need to walk for a couple of minutes down a rocky path, but it’s easy enough. The walk to the falls is mainly on fire trail and is quite steeply downhill on the way and a bit of a climb on the way back.
We have all the details on the walk to Winifred Falls in this post.
20. Southwest Arm Pool, Royal National Park
Popularity: Can be popular on hot weekends
Region: Royal National Park
Walk length required: 4.2km return
Accessible by public transport: No
Southwest Arm Pool is another huge and spectacular swimming hole in Royal National Park. There’s even a rope swing if you’re feeling adventurous!
The pool is deep and you can swim for a long time if you head down the river, but most people stick to the area you can see in our picture.
The route to Southwest Arm Pool begins at Winifreds Falls, so it’s another one of those two for one specials that Royal National Park has so many of! It’s a bit of a bush bash on the 500m route from the falls, but it’s not awful.
It also keeps it much quieter than other swimming holes which are signposted. We detail exactly how to find Southwest Arm Pool in this post.
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