The Best Wild Swimming Spots Near Sydney

Finding a new place to swim near you for a lazy afternoon dip might be one of the greatest pleasures mankind can ever experience. This list of the best wild swimming spots near Sydney just made that mission a hell of a lot easier!

Is Wild Swimming Legal?

It’s actually a common question that has a simple answer… YES! Wild swimming is legal.

Just make sure you know what you’re doing (being able to swim is kinda mandatory) and don’t go meandering on any private property without permission. Other than that, wild swimming near Sydney has to be one of the best things you can do for a sneaky adventure.

Find a rock by the water, sunbake like a lizard and swim with no concern for the time. Trust us when we say you’ll feel better for it.

Make sure you check NSW Parks Website for relevant alerts before you head out to any of these spots to make sure it’s safe and open!

10 Wild Swimming Spots Near Sydney

1. Laze The Day Away at Ladies Well

Location – Barrington Tops

Ditch the stress of the city and drive north to Ladies Well, a gorgeous swimming hole without a big walk-in. There’s a campsite nearby to optimise your driving-to-chillaxin’ ratio but if you don’t mind chucking on a few podcasts, this is a worthwhile day trip.

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2. Jump Jerusalem Bay

Location – Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park

The Hawkesbury lies one hour from Sydney but once you’re there, it feels like ten. It’s surrounded by bushland and dotted along its course and inlets are remote beaches for you to stick your metaphorical flag into for the day.

Accessible along the Great North Walk near Cowan Station but best reached via boat or kayak, this is certainly a place to put on your adventure bucket list.

For the rock-climbers among us, there’s a great spot at the end of the bay that allows for a lovely plop into the serene waters if you miss your grip!

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@thetantrap

3. Swim & Snap Insta Shots at Figure of Eight Pools

Location – Royal National Park

This mysterious place looks like a giant had several misfires with his hole punch. It’s a spectacular sight to behold and rewards the more intrepid hikers who venture to the south of the Royal National Park, approximately 500m south of Burning Palms Beach. It’s like a tight-arse’s hot tub, but an almightily cool way to impress your mates or your better half. Pack your cool box and get down there!

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@haydenseyes

4. Discover Quiet Creek of Bungonia Canyon

Location – Bungonia National Park

Now this one’s to be treated with serious caution and is accessible only to those with the skills (and kahunas) to access it. Several epic waterfalls up to 70m high lie along Bungonia Creek Canyon and to descend to the string of swimming holes at the bottom you’ll need to abseil down to each one, with all the proper gear, skills and experience.

Alternatively, you could take the steep descent of the Red Track to the bottom of the gorge to find the pools on foot. 

The views through the valley once you get down are nothing short of magnificent. Bungonia is located near Goulburn to the south-west of Sydney.

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5. Find Luminescent Greens of Karloo Pools

Location – Royal National Park

Hiding in the Royal National Park are several cheeky wild swimming holes that grace the weekend explorers near Sydney. My fave is Karloo Pools; a little pocket of paradise that lies along the Karloo walking track starting at Heathcote train station.

That’s right, who says you need a car for weekend escapism?! Enjoy the views on the trek down and don’t forget your camera – this one’s an absolute beauty.

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@thetantrap

6. Go Off-road to Junction Pools

Location – Barrington Tops National Park

Accessed by 4WD only, this remote slice of heaven is an adventurer’s paradise found on the Barrington Tops Plateau region approximately five hours drive north of Sydney, through Gloucester and onto the Barrington Trail.

The river is a seriously inviting wild swim, winding through the valley into an impressive sight know as Black Swamp. In addition to your swimwear, don’t forget to pack your fishing rod – you may just be cooking up a BBQ fish dinner if you get lucky!

7. Embrace the Beauty of Mermaid Pools

Location – Tahmoor

Packing an extra pair of swimmers is advised for those brave enough to properly explore Mermaid Falls. It’s like the real-life dream of a cliff-jumper, such is the way that the sandstone cliffs have been carved out around the pools along Bargo River Gorge.

To get here you’ll need to drive an hour south west of Sydney to Tahmoor, and once at the Charles Point Road car park, it’s a 1.5 hr round trip to these infamous pools.

While you’re there, be careful and don’t do anything dumb. Emergency services are pretty sick of having to deal with juvenile behaviour here. Don’t become a statistic.

Read more: How To Stay Safe Around Water: Swimming Hole Safety

8. Have a Dip at Victoria Falls

Location – Blue Mountains National Park

Dips that follow profuse sweating are the best kind of dips. Fact. Once you catch your breath and look up to absorb your surroundings, it’s even better when you realise you’re paddling in Eden.

Welcome to Victoria Falls. Drive west via the Great Western Highway to the back of the Blue Mountains, and head right onto Victoria Falls Road. Once at the secluded car park, it’s a short and steep walk down to the cascading falls and inviting rock pool.

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@thetantrap

9. Seek Out Water at Nymphs Dell

Location – Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains

This quiet pool and series of waterfalls is only a short drive into the Blue Mountains, but you’ll feel like you’ve entered another world. Bring a book and spend the day down here.

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Shot by Brandon Chant

10. Snorkel The Burnt Out Catherine Hill Bay Jetty

Location – Catherine Hill Bay

Back in 2013, a fire burnt out this massive jetty that’s reminiscent of surf movies on the Californian coast (any Point Break fans out there?). It’s abandoned now but you can still snorkel or spearfish the underwater ruin.

@dominicmmay

FAQs Wild Swimming Spots Near Sydney

Can you swim at Wentworth Falls?

Yes! Wentworth Falls is safe for swimming. Make sure to check NSW Park Alerts before you head out, just in case there’s a current warning. This goes for all swimming spots.

Is it safe to swim in the Blue Mountains?

The water is almost always safe for swimming the Blue Mountains. On the odd occasion water quality can be compromised or conditions unsafe (after heavy rain when water levels can be unpredictable for example) so you should always check NSW Park Alerts before you set out.

Where else can I swim in Sydney?

From the best skinny dipping locations in Sydney to the best swimming spots for beginners in the Blue Mountains, we’ve got plenty of advice about where to swim in NSW. We even know the hidden spots! If you can’t find what you’re looking for, let us know in the comments!

Find More Places to Jump in the Water Near Sydney

• Best Fishing Spots in Sydney
• Best Places to Paddle Board Near Sydney
• Open Water Swimming Spots in Sydney
• Best Waterfalls in Sydney
• Best Places to Kayak Near Sydney

Some of these places can get pretty busy when the mercury soars. As part of the WAE community, it’s important to make sure you’re looking after these special places so that many more can enjoy them into the future.

Feature image by @easternsuns