Sydney’s ocean pools and beaches get all the attention. Meanwhile, the Blue Mountains, Illawarra Escarpment and South Coast have dozens of freshwater swimming holes and hidden gorge pools that most Sydney residents have never visited.
These 15 spots are all within a 2-hour drive of Sydney CBD. Several require a walk to reach. None of them are on the weekend Instagram circuit — which means you actually have room to swim.
Book a hire car with DiscoverCars before any of these trips — most require a car, and some have limited or no public transport access.
Quick Reference Table
| Swimming Hole | Distance from Sydney | Drive Time | Walk to Pool | Best Season | Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jellybean Pool | 65 km | 1 hr | 5 min | Oct–Apr | Toilets nearby |
| Wentworth Falls Pool | 98 km | 1.5 hrs | 20 min | Oct–Apr | Toilets at park |
| Mermaid Pool | 80 km | 1.5 hrs | 30 min | Oct–Apr | None |
| Fitzroy Falls Gorge | 135 km | 2 hrs | 30 min | Year-round | Visitor centre |
| Minnamurra River | 115 km | 1.5 hrs | 5 min | Oct–Apr | Toilets, café |
| Kingfisher Pool | 110 km | 1.5 hrs | 40 min | Oct–Mar | None |
| Glow Worm Tunnel pools | 155 km | 2 hrs | 1.5 hrs | Oct–Apr | None |
| Warragamba Gorge | 70 km | 55 min | 45 min | Nov–Mar | None |
| Murphys Glen Creek | 80 km | 1.2 hrs | 10 min | Oct–Apr | Campground |
| Burning Palms Beach | 68 km | 55 min | 45 min | Oct–Apr | None |
| Marley Beach Lagoon | 68 km | 55 min | 50 min | Oct–Apr | None |
| Stanwell Park Beach | 78 km | 70 min | 2 min | Year-round | Surf club |
| Hacking River, Audley | 42 km | 45 min | 3 min | Oct–Apr | Café, hire boats |
| Kangaroo Valley River | 160 km | 2 hrs | 5 min | Nov–Mar | Camping nearby |
| Swimming Creek, Bouddi | 90 km | 1.5 hrs | 15 min | Oct–Apr | Camping nearby |
The 15 Swimming Holes
1. Jellybean Pool, Blue Mountains National Park
Distance from Sydney CBD: 65 km
Drive: Hawkesbury Road to Glenbrook. Park at Jellybean Pool car park on Bruce Road.
Walk to pool: 5 minutes from car park
GPS: -33.7714, 150.6186
A series of sandstone rock pools on Glenbrook Creek. The name comes from the jelly-bean-shaped main pool. Clear, flat water, 2–3 metres deep in the main pool. Popular on summer weekends — arrive before 9 am.
Checklist:
- $17 vehicle entry to Blue Mountains National Park (pay at Glenbrook entrance)
- Arrive before 9 am on weekends — car park fills by 10 am in summer
- Bring inflatable or pool noodle — no hire available
- Water shoes recommended — sandstone edges are slippery when wet
2. Wentworth Falls Pool, Blue Mountains
Distance from Sydney CBD: 98 km
Drive: Great Western Highway to Wentworth Falls. Park at Conservation Hut car park on Fletcher Street.
Walk to pool: 20 minutes via the Valley of the Waters track
GPS: -33.7178, 150.3811
The base of Wentworth Falls has several tiered pools in the sandstone below the main falls. The walk down into the Jamison Valley is steep (200 m elevation loss) — the return is harder than the descent. The pools are 1–2 metres deep.
Checklist:
- $17 vehicle entry (same National Parks day pass as Glenbrook/Jellybean)
- Solid footwear essential — the descent is on wet rock stairs
- Allow 2.5 hours total for walk in, swim and walk out
- Do not swim directly below the falls — water pressure from falling water is dangerous
3. Mermaid Pool (Nellies Glen), Barrengarry
Distance from Sydney CBD: 80 km
Drive: Hume Highway to Braemar, then Sheepwash Road to Nellies Glen Road. Limited roadside parking.
Walk to pool: 30 minutes through rainforest
GPS: -34.5680, 150.3861
A small, deep freshwater pool at the base of a waterfall in a moss-covered rainforest slot canyon. The surrounding walls are 15 metres high. Cool (18°C even in summer) and completely sheltered from wind. No facilities.
Checklist:
- Navigation: use AllTrails offline — mobile signal is unreliable here
- Bring a headlamp — the slot canyon is dark
- Water temperature is cold year-round; bring a dry layer for after
- Do not visit during or after heavy rain — flash flooding risk
4. Fitzroy Falls Gorge Pool, Morton National Park
Distance from Sydney CBD: 135 km
Drive: Hume Highway to Moss Vale, then Fitzroy Falls Road. Park at the Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre.
Walk to pool: 30 minutes along the gorge rim, then down the valley track
GPS: -34.6375, 150.4889
The main Fitzroy Falls drops 81 metres into the Yarrunga Valley. Below the main falls, a series of shallow creeks and pools form at the valley floor. The valley floor pools are accessible via the Valley Track (2.4 km one way from the visitor centre).
Checklist:
- Free entry to Fitzroy Falls (no park entry fee here)
- Check waterfall flow on the NPWS website after dry periods — the falls can reduce to a trickle
- Valley floor pools are accessible October–April; check conditions in winter
- Visitor centre open 9 am–5 pm daily
5. Minnamurra River, Minnamurra Rainforest
Distance from Sydney CBD: 115 km
Drive: Princes Highway to Jamberoo, then Minnamurra Falls Road.
Walk to pool: 5 minutes from car park
GPS: -34.6347, 150.7166
A shallow freshwater river flowing through subtropical rainforest. The river is suitable for wading and gentle swimming in the sections near the boardwalk entrance. The rainforest itself ($20 adult entry) adds context but the river access near the car park is accessible without paying.
Checklist:
- $20 adult entry to Minnamurra Rainforest (kids under 5 free)
- Platypus are sometimes spotted at dawn — bring binoculars
- The river is cold (17–20°C year-round) — wear a rashvest
- Café at the visitor centre open daily from 9 am
6. Kingfisher Pool, Budderoo National Park
Distance from Sydney CBD: 110 km
Drive: Princes Highway to Jamberoo Mountain Road. Park at Carrington Falls day use area.
Walk to pool: 40 minutes via the Carrington Falls track
GPS: -34.5981, 150.6511
A deep pool below Carrington Falls. The walk descends steeply into the Kangaroo Valley escarpment. The pool is 3–4 metres deep, clear water, surrounded by rainforest. One of the least-visited swimming spots in the Illawarra region.
Checklist:
- No park entry fee at Carrington Falls day use area
- The descent is 120 m in 800 m — allow 1 hour for the return climb
- Bring dry clothes — the approach crosses several creek sections
- No facilities; pack out all rubbish
7. Glow Worm Tunnel Creek Pools, Wollemi National Park
Distance from Sydney CBD: 155 km
Drive: Great Western Highway to Lithgow, then Wolgan Road. 15 km unsealed road — suitable for regular 2WD in dry conditions.
Walk to pool: 1.5 hours return from the tunnel trailhead
GPS: -33.2044, 150.1533
The creek near the Glow Worm Tunnel has several sandstone swimming holes accessible via the same walking track used to reach the tunnel. Cool clear water, complete isolation. Combine with the tunnel visit (bring a torch).
Checklist:
- Allow 3.5 hours total (Glow Worm Tunnel visit + creek pools)
- Torch (flashlight) is mandatory for the tunnel — it’s 400 m long and pitch black
- Do not visit on days with >40% rain probability — the Wolgan Road becomes impassable
- Nearest petrol: Lithgow — fill up before leaving the highway
8. Warragamba Gorge (Burragorang Lookout area), Blue Mountains
Distance from Sydney CBD: 70 km
Drive: Great Western Highway to Warragamba, then Silverdale Road.
Walk to pool: 45 minutes down into the gorge
GPS: -33.8894, 150.5813
The Coxs River enters Lake Burragorang through a gorge accessible from the southern Blue Mountains. The gorge has several freshwater pools. The walk down is steep; the return takes 60 minutes.
Checklist:
- No facilities — pack in everything and pack out rubbish
- Do not swim after heavy rain — the gorge flash floods rapidly
- Bring 2 L water — the descent and ascent take more energy than expected
- Closed footwear essential for the rocky descent
9. Murphys Glen Creek, Blue Mountains
Distance from Sydney CBD: 80 km
Drive: Great Western Highway to Woodford, then unsealed track to Murphys Glen campground.
Walk to pool: 10 minutes from the campground
GPS: -33.7492, 150.4251
A series of creek pools in a blue gum forest near Woodford. Less visited than Jellybean Pool, deeper water (2.5–3 m in places), and surrounded by old-growth blue gums. Basic campground adjacent ($16/night for camping).
Checklist:
- $17 vehicle entry to Blue Mountains National Park
- Campground has pit toilets only — no showers
- The forest floor track is uneven — bring shoes, not thongs
10. Burning Palms Beach, Royal National Park
Distance from Sydney CBD: 68 km
Drive: Farnell Avenue to Otford or drive to Garie Beach car park.
Walk to pool: 45 minutes from Otford
GPS: -34.2339, 151.0637
A remote ocean beach with a small freshwater creek that meets the sand. The creek forms a swimming pool in its final 50 metres before the ocean. No facilities, no lifeguard.
Checklist:
- $17 vehicle entry to Royal National Park
- Swim in the freshwater section of the creek, not the surf — unpatrolled ocean
- Bring all food and 2 L water
- The 45-minute walk involves 150 m descent — allow 60 minutes to climb back up
11. Marley Beach Lagoon, Royal National Park
Distance from Sydney CBD: 68 km
Drive: Bundeena ferry from Cronulla, then walk 50 minutes. Or drive via Royal NP ($17 entry).
Walk to pool: 50 minutes from Bundeena
GPS: -34.1414, 151.1085
A freshwater lagoon sits at the northern end of Marley Beach, separated from the ocean by a sand bar. The lagoon is warm (23–25°C in summer), 1.5 metres deep, and completely calm while the ocean 20 metres away is pounding. One of the most underrated swimming spots in Sydney.
Checklist:
- Do not enter the ocean at Marley — it is unsupervised and has a strong shore dump
- Lagoon is best November–March when sand bar is highest
- Walk from Bundeena: 50 minutes, mostly flat through heath
- Return ferry from Cronulla last service around 5:30 pm — check timetable
12. Stanwell Park Beach and Lagoon, Illawarra
Distance from Sydney CBD: 78 km
Drive: Lawrence Hargrave Drive from the Sea Cliff Bridge. Free parking at Stanwell Park Beach.
Walk to pool: 2 minutes from car park
GPS: -34.2203, 150.9766
Stanwell Park has both an ocean beach and a freshwater creek that flows across the southern end of the beach. The creek forms a natural wading pool suitable for children. The surf is also patrolled on weekends. Hang-gliders launch from Bald Hill above the beach — free to watch.
Checklist:
- No park entry fee
- Best combined with a drive over the Sea Cliff Bridge (4 km north)
- Hang-glider launches typically from 10 am on weekends (weather dependent)
- Surf hire available from the surf club in summer
13. Hacking River, Audley, Royal National Park
Distance from Sydney CBD: 42 km
Drive: Sir Bertram Stevens Drive to Audley car park.
Walk to pool: 3 minutes from car park
GPS: -34.0617, 151.0533
The Hacking River at Audley is the most accessible freshwater swim on this list. Hire a rowboat or canoe from the Audley Boatshed ($35/hour) and paddle upstream to quiet pools. Or simply wade from the bank. The water is tannin-coloured (brown) but clean.
Checklist:
- $17 vehicle entry to Royal National Park
- Boat hire from Audley Boatshed: $35/hour rowboat, $28/hour canoe
- Café at Audley open 9 am–5 pm weekends
- Best paddling: upstream from the weir for 2 km (no motor boats)
14. Kangaroo Valley River, Kangaroo Valley
Distance from Sydney CBD: 160 km
Drive: Hume Highway to Moss Vale, then Kangaroo Valley Road. 2 hours.
Walk to pool: 5 minutes from Hampden Bridge
GPS: -34.7375, 150.5080
The Kangaroo River near Hampden Bridge has excellent rope-swing pools — including a well-known rope swing near the camping areas south of the bridge. Water temperature 22–24°C in summer.
Checklist:
- Camping at Bendeela Camping Area ($16/night) adjacent to the best swimming sections
- No park entry fee for the river access near the bridge
- Rope swing: only use if you can swim strongly — the current runs toward the bridge
- Canoe hire available from Kangaroo Valley Safaris ($60–$80/half day)
15. Swimming Creek, Bouddi National Park, Central Coast
Distance from Sydney CBD: 90 km
Drive: F3 to Gosford exit, then McMasters Beach Road to Bouddi.
Walk to pool: 15 minutes from Putty Beach car park
GPS: -33.5294, 151.3764
A small freshwater creek near Putty Beach in Bouddi National Park forms calm, clear pools in a eucalypt forest clearing. Less dramatic than the Blue Mountains spots but significantly closer and accessible with an easy walk.
Checklist:
- No park entry fee for Bouddi
- Combine with a swim at Putty Beach (ocean) and a walk to Maitland Bay (45 minutes further)
- Facilities at Putty Beach (toilets, picnic tables) — none at the creek
Before You Go: General Safety
- Tell someone your planned route and expected return time
- Download offline maps before leaving mobile coverage
- Do not swim alone at unsupervised spots
- Do not enter any swimming hole immediately after heavy rain — all freshwater systems can rise rapidly
- Carry a first aid kit for walks over 5 km
Compare travel insurance — for day trips into national parks, ambulance cover and emergency evacuation cover is worth having.
Search for accommodation in the Blue Mountains, Kangaroo Valley or Kiama if you want to base yourself for two or more swimming holes in the same area.
More to explore: Sydney’s best beaches and the best day trips from Sydney.
Prices and hours current as of 2026. Always verify before visiting.
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