Kambah Pool

Murrumbidgee River, Kambah ACT

Kambah Pool is popular with both swimmers and canoers, with a 500 metre long stretch of tranquil water that banks up behind a natural rock bar in the river, all located within a natural bush setting. Enter the water from the sandy beach at the upstream end of the pool, or from one of the canoe entry points near the rock wall. Immediately downstream of the pool, in a more heavily vegetated section of the river, is a designated nude bathing area. Above: The swimming beach in the Murrumbidgee River at Kambah Pool (Order this image)

To reach the beach, when you enter the Kambah Pool Recreation Area, turn left to the beach car park. From there it is a very steep walk down to the river, with many large steps, so avoid carrying too much gear. Once you reach the bottom of the hill, the bright, wide, sandy beach unfolds on a bend in the river with a view down the length of the pool. From here you can drift down to the rock wall or swim up and back at your leisure. Stepping off the beach, the water gets deep quite quickly, which makes it less attractive for inexperienced swimmers, but one of the best spots along the Murrumbidgee corridor for those looking to swim for exercise.

For adults wanting to swim unhindered by bathing attire, you can take a skinny dip in the river downstream of the rock wall. As you enter the Kambah Pool Recreation Area, turn right to the pool car park. From there, follow the concrete path below the toilet block, past the "nude bathing area" sign and up over the small rise. The concrete path peters out into a number of smaller sandy paths that lead down to little enclosed beaches surrounded by reasonably thick vegetation. For swimming, there is less room to move around here, with lots of submerged rocks (visible under most river conditions) and small casuarina pines occupying the rocky islands poking out of the water. You can however navigate your way past these to some deeper pools of water. The current is swifter here than the main Kambah Pool, because the river is more constricted. Above: The sign to the nude bathing area at Kambah Pool (Order this image)

When I last visited on a mild late Autumn day, there were two or three people swimming naked in the water, indicating that it is well frequented by local naturists. I also saw a guy meditating quietly under the trees, adding to the positive energy of this spot. Beach space is limited in the nude bathing area, so if you cannot find a spare spot for your towel on a hot summer's day, keep wandering along the narrow paths further downstream. If you are hoping to catch some sun on these beaches, avoid visiting in the early morning when they are in shade.

Kambah Pool is one of six swimming spots that were formally recommended by the ACT Minister for Territory and Municipal Services. The Minister described it merely as "a popular swimming spot" (20/12/12), but was silent on the nude bathing area. Before you head out, make sure to read the swimming safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions. Specific to this site, the managing authority advises that there are strong currents, shallow water, submerged objects, deep water, slippery and uneven ground, steep banks and snakes. The managing authority also advises that mobile phone reception is not reliable throughout the Murrumbidgee River corridor, so do not depend on your phone for safety or directions.

Water quality in the Canberra area can sometimes be unsuitable for swimming. For regular updates on whether the water quality at this site is suitable for swimming, see the ACT Government's water quality alerts. Signs on site indicate when the river is closed for swimming due to poor water quality. As a general rule, don't plan to swim here after rain because the river may be closed to swimming due to agricultural runoff from upstream areas (i.e. animal faeces, fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, etc.). The marker indicates the approximate location of the car park for the beach at Kambah Pool. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can sometimes occur when loading, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
View Larger Map If you would like to leave a comment about this swimming spot, please fill in the comment box below. I'm particularly interested in your experiences after visiting, and any changes in conditions, etc. All fields are required if you would like your comments published on this website.

Your name:

Your email:

From (city, country):

Your zipcode:

Your comment:

I consent to having these comments published on this website (note: your email address is not published).

← Back stroke

Next swim →

NSW Home	ACT Home
Water Safety	Map
Links	Your Support
List of Lists	Suggest a Swim
Community, Media, Research