Black Duck Hole, Anglers Rest

Swimming Hole Heaven in Victoria

Black Duck Hole is a swimming hole on a sweeping elbow bend of the Mitta Mitta River between Omeo and Anglers Rest. The river winds its way around a rock peninsula upstream of a set of rapids, creating a calm backwater for swimming. Above: Black Duck Hole (Order this image)

When the river is high, the pool is around 60 metres long, and because the pool gets deep quickly away from the shore, it is possible to swim the length of the pool without heading out into the main current. Fortunately there are some submerged boulders that allow you to wade out into the water without getting your toes stuck in the mud close to the shore. The views of the surrounding bushland from both the shore and within the water are panoramic, with the constant gush of water at the downstream end as water escapes from the pool through the rapids. Above: The upstream entrance to Black Duck Hole (Order this image)

Apart from a spot to park your car, there are no facilities at this swim, with a steep 700 metre walk on a former 4WD track from the car park down to the river. Make sure you have good grip on your shoes to keep your footing on the loose gravel track. At the swimming hole, space on the shore is limited, with just enough room to lay out some towels in a couple of spots along the southern and eastern shores. Given how remote this swim is, and how steep the walk down is, it is unlikely you will be there at the same time as anyone else.

Here is a video of my swim at Black Duck Hole on a spring afternoon when the river was reasonably high.

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 marker indicates the approximate location of the roadside car park at the start of the walk to this swim. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can occur with some browsers, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
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