Tharwa Sandwash

Murrumbidgee River, Gigerline Nature Reserve, ACT

Tharwa Sandwash is a towering mound of sand banked up behind a rock in the middle of the Murrumbidgee River. You can swim on either side of this small island, with a shallower, warmer but often more stagnant backwater on the near side of the island, or a deeper and cleaner swim closer to the main current on the farthest side. Bring a large beach towel to lay back and relax on the sandy incline of sand, while you warm up in the sun, protected from the wind, in between your swims. Above: The sheltered beach on the leeward side of the dune (Order this image)

To reach the Sandwash from the car park, you need to follow the wide walking track (closed to vehicles) about 150 metres upstream, at which point you will see a little track that runs down to the river through a hole in the scrub. When the river is low, as it is most of the time during the warmer months of the year, you can walk across to the sandbar without getting your feet wet. Above: The view from the beach back towards the car park's riverside steps (Order this image)

The water on the other side of the sand mound is best for swimming (as opposed to just splashing around), with a 20-30 metre long beach of coarse sand. Close to the island, the water is still relatively calm, with not much of a current, but it can get deep quickly once you step a couple of metres away from the beach. There are also some submerged rocks, but these are readily visible in the clear water. From the island you can also swim or float the 150 metre journey back downstream to the car park. Look out for the bluestone steps for your spot to climb out.

Here is a video that I took of my swim at Tharwa Sandwash in mid-Autumn, when the river was reasonably low and in good condition for swimming.



Tharwa Sandwash is one of six swimming spots that were formally recommended by the ACT Minister for Territory and Municipal Services. The Minister described it as "another local treasure" (20/12/12). Bring a bucket and spade to see if you can find the Minister's treasure. Before you head out, make sure to read the swimming safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions. The managing authority provides general advice on site about swimming in the ACT's rivers 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 at Tharwa Sandwash. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can sometimes occur when loading, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
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