Swimming in the outdoors in Melbourne can be spectacular if you know the right places to go - here are my top three, which have been chosen for their
spectacular views, spectacular warmth or their ferocious flow of water.
Pound Bend
Within the Melbourne metropolitan area, Pound Bend in Warrandyte has a
swimming spot at the outlet of a long tunnel that was cut through several hundred metres of rock to dredge the Yarra River
for gold.
Above: Ferocious water at Pound Bend Tunnel, Warrandyte(Order this image)
The rush of water through the tunnel, out into the downstream rock pool is, dare I say it, spectacular. You can
read more here about Pound Bend for swimmers including access to water quality warnings so
that you can choose a day to swim safely.
Turpins Falls
If you would like to swim at a waterfall within a spectacular rock wall cathedral,
Turpins Falls near Kyneton is your kind of swimming hole. It is well outside of the metropolitan area at a little over an hour
from the Melbourne city centre, but it has a wow factor that makes up for the trip. You can read more here about
Turpins Falls for swimmers, including what not to do if you want to enjoy a swim there.
Above: The pool and rock walls at Turpins Falls, Kyneton(Order this image)
Hot Springs
If you are looking for a swim that is spectacularly warm, why not try Peninsula Hot Springs
on the Mornington Peninsula. It is more of a bathing option than a swimming option, with the pools only large enough to fit
in one or two strokes at a time.
If you still want to get into the water when Melbourne turns chilly, it is one of the
best defrosting options available to swimmers. You can read more here about
Peninsula Hot Springs for swimmers.
Above: The warm waters of one of the pools at Peninsula Hot Springs(Order this image)
