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Goburra Pool
Heathcote National Park, New South Wales

Goburra Pool is the most picturesque pool in the Heathcote National Park, and one of the most accessible. A low sandstone wall surrounds the pool on three sides, whilst beautiful lilies float in the water on the opposite bank. I love the contrast of colours here from the grey rocks to the orange submerged sandstone to the deep blue-grey water and the vibrant yellows, greens and whites of the floating vegetation.

Swimming at Goburra Pool

Above: View from the cliff top at Goburra Pool (Order this image)

The pool itself is huge at over 120 metres long and about 20 metres across. Because this long pool is curved, you can't view it all at once, giving you the opportunity for a swimming exploration around the bend to the elevated rock shelves that mark the pool boundary downstream.

In dry conditions, the pool length can however contract considerably, as it is quite shallow in parts after you hit the bend.

Swimming at Goburra Pool

Above: The water lilies in Goburra Pool (Order this image)

Getting into the water was relatively easy for me after carefully climbing down onto a pool side rock ledge, but might be difficult for very young children.

The water depth increases in sharp, vertical drops, so you need to swim almost immediately after getting in. Whilst the middle of the pool is very deep, there are few places where you can dive or jump safely into the water from the wall around the pool due to those submerged rock shelves. The walls do however offer good protection from any wind running along the Heathcote Creek Valley.

The track down to the pool is unsignposted, but reasonably visible if you follow the directions below, with wooden steps clearly marking the start of the steep descent from the Pipeline Track. The track itself is narrow, but was free of encroaching vegetation when I travelled along it. Open space beside the pool is limited near the end of the track, but if you wander upstream or downstream along the length of the pool, there are plenty of open rock shelves around.

Here is a video of my swim at the pool, which was one of my favourite swims in the Heathcote National Park.

Other Information Before You Go:

Location: Accessible from the Pipeline Trail, Heathcote National Park, near Heathcote, 38 km (approx. 1 hr drive to the start of the walk) south-west of Sydney.
Latitude:-34.079813 Longitude:150.997216
Getting there: There are several access points for the Pipeline Trail. I started from the Goburra Track, at the end of Oliver Street in Heathcote, where you can park your car on the side of the road. This track takes you over the hill and down natural sandstone steps to the Pipeline Trail. Head north for about 200 metres, where you will see an unmarked track leading steeply down to the creek, shortly after crossing Goburra gully. You can also catch the train to Heathcote, and then it's a 1 km walk across the Princes Hwy and down Oliver Street to the start of the walking track.
Facilities: None
Entrance fee: None
Water temperature: Mild

Water clarity: Clear
Under foot: Sandstone
Maximum water depth: Greater than 2 metres
Minimum swimming proficiency required: Experienced
Prohibitions including whether you can bring your dog: No pets other than certified assistance animals, no smoking, no campfires, no solid fuel burners, no gathering firewood, no generators, no amplified music.
Sun shade: No shade available in or out of the water
Opening times: Always open
Wheelchair access: None
Managing authority: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Nearby attractions: Yabba Pool, 100-200 m upstream of Goburra Pool.

Before you head out, make sure to read the swimming safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions.

Locality Map:

The marker indicates the approximate location of the pool. 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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