Swimming Hole Heaven in Australia

Your guide to the best swimming holes

Swimming Hole Heaven details the best outdoor swimming spots across Australia, including how to get there and what to expect in and out of the water. As a hydrologist and swimming enthusiast I have travelled the country searching for the best swimming spots. This quest began with the guide to Freshwater Swimming Holes in Victoria, first published in 2004, and is slowly expanding to the rest of the country. Browse below or skip straight to Australia's Swimming Hole Hotspots. Above: Discover swimming holes such as Lake Eckersley on swimmingholeheaven.com (Order this image) Click on each State or Territory of Australia below to find your next swimming day trip or holiday destination, or alternatively search by map or my miscellaneous list of lists. Swim safe, have fun and remember that no matter how cold the water is, it's alright once you're in!

Victoria

This is my comprehensive compilation of swimming holes in both Melbourne and regional Victoria, including my top 50 swimming holes from across the State. Whether you live in Victoria or are travelling here on holidays, make the most of your time with this guide…

New South Wales and the ACT

This includes swimming holes in national parks around Sydney, along the Murrumbidgee in Canberra, the NSW mid-coast including Newcastle, NSW north coast including Byron-Ballina, NSW far south coast estuaries, and swimming holes along the Murray…

The Northern Territory

Here are some genuinely world class swimming holes in and around Darwin, including a natural hot spring, and some waterfall pools in Litchfield National Park. My views on swimming in the Top End were featured in Virgin Australia's Voyeur Magazine…

Queensland

Here are some fantastic cascades and waterfall pools in the Gold Coast hinterland and the Sunshine Coast hinterland, a crystal clear lake on K'gari and various swims around Cairns and up on the Atherton Tablelands. Rain or shine, the water is wonderfully warm all year round…

South Australia

Here are my swims in ponds and sinkholes in the Limestone Coast region in south-east South Australia, including a world class freshwater snorkelling site. I have also included a list of Adelaide's warmest pool and warmest lap pool…

Perth's Warmest Pools

Looking for the warmest indoor pool near you? Here is a list of the water temperature in the warmest pool and the warmest lap pool in every public swimming pool in Perth. Bookmark this list if you're a dedicated winter swimmer in Perth (or if you're a squib)…

Hobart's Warmest Pools

Looking for the warmest indoor pool near you? Here is a list of the water temperature in the warmest pool and the warmest lap pool in every public swimming pool in Hobart. Bookmark this list if you're a dedicated winter swimmer in Hobart (or if you're a squib)…

Each swimming spot includes a link to swimming safety information. Please make sure you read that information before you head out, particularly if you are an inexperienced swimmer. Some of my suggested swimming hole equipment could make your bush swims safer and more enjoyable.

I'm always interested in hearing about and visiting new swimming holes, so feel free to share them with me and suggest a swim.

Too cold for a swim? Visit a waterfall

My companion website Waterfall Seasons of Australia lists the waterfalls I have visited during my search for swimming holes. You can swim at some of them, but most are just for viewing and admiring. Great for a day trip when it's too chilly to get into the water.

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