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Swimming Hole Heaven in NSW and the ACT
Your guide to the best swimming holes

Here is my extensive guide to more than 50 swimming spots across New South Wales and the ACT, all of them personally tested by getting into the water. It includes swimming holes and ocean pools along the NSW north coast, NSW south coast, around Sydney, along the River Murray, and the Murrumbidgee River corridor around Canberra. Swimming Hole Heaven in New South Wales and the ACT Above: Discover swimming holes such as Black Dog Swimming Hole on Swimming Hole Heaven (Order this image)

This collection is slowly expanding across the State. I've also included a guide to indoor public pool water temperatures in Sydney and Canberra when the weather is cold.

Select Your Swim:

Click on the heading of each region below to find your next swimming day trip or holiday destination, or alternatively search by map. Swim safe, have fun and remember that no matter how cold the water is, it's alright once you're in!

Canberra and the ACT
Swimming Hole Heaven in Canberra and the ACT The Australian Capital Territory has six swimming holes personally endorsed by a local Minister, plus several other spots along the Murrumbidgee, Cotter and Paddy Rivers. I've also swam in some of Canberra's urban lakes (as was my patriotic duty)…

South Coast of New South Wales
Swimming Hole Heaven on the NSW South Coast From Woollongong to Eden, east of the Great Dividing Range, here are some fantastic waterfalls, rock slides, reservoirs, and ocean pools, as well as some of the best swimming estuaries in Australia. This region includes some of my favourite tidal lazy rivers…


North Coast of New South Wales
Swimming Hole Heaven on the NSW North Coast A warmer part of the State from Gosford to Tweed Heads, east of the Great Dividing Range, this stretch includes some of my favourite ocean pools, some fantastic waterfall pools with reliable flows, and some spring-fed former quarries…

Southern New South Wales (inland)
Swimming Hole Heaven in southern inland NSW Here are some swimming holes in southern New South Wales, including a warm spring and several swimming spots along the mighty River Murray. This area covers swims in the southern half of the State, west of the Great Dividing Range, excluding the ACT…

In and around Sydney
Swimming Hole Heaven in and around Sydney Surrounded by national park on three sides and stunning ocean pools along the other, Sydney is blessed with swimming holes. Here are some in the Heathcote National Park and the Royal National Park south of Sydney, and a couple of ocean pools…

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.

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 Waterfall Seasons - The Waterfall Guide My companion website Waterfall Seasons - The Waterfall Guide lists all of the waterfalls that 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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