Swimming Holes in Gippsland

Your guide to the best swimming holes

These swimming holes are all located in Gippsland (South East Victoria), including spots in the Latrobe Valley and East Gippsland. Feel free to browse the online version, which includes some (but not all) of my favourite spots. Above: Discover swimming holes such as Minnehaha Falls on swimmingholeheaven.com (Order this image)

If you are looking for more, you can order the guide for a curated list of my top 50 swimming holes in Victoria. Click or tap on the title or photo of each swimming spot below to find your next swimming adventure in Gippsland, or alternative search by map. Swim safe, have fun and remember that no matter how cold the water is, it's alright once you're in!

Black Duck Hole, Anglers Rest

A broad swimming hole with a calm backwater on a sweeping elbow bend of the Mitta Mitta River, between Omeo and Anglers Rest. This swim is remote but rewarding, with panoramic views of the river valley around the rock headland it winds around…

Blue Rock Lake

The best spot for a swim is at the western picnic area, which has a designated area for swimming with calm, clear water, mountain views and an easy, gradual entry into the water. Relaxing during the quiet times, but also a lot of fun for noisier daytime picnics…

Buchan Caves

The icy cold swimming pool in the Buchan Caves Reserve fills from a natural underground stream at the Dukes Cave outlet. Not for the faint hearted except on the hottest of days. Camp by night here and swim in the daytime…

Lake Glenmaggie

Filled to the brim every Spring, the water laps up against the sandy beaches amongst the flooded gum trees. You can still swim here in summer, but the lake can be drawn down considerably. Find out which side of the lake has the best swimming…

Lake Narracan

Lake Narracan on the Latrobe River has a designated swimming area directly in front of the caravan park on the southern side of the lake. The swimming area has a small sandy beach, a long curved jetty and a grassy hill under the gum trees…

Minnehaha Falls, Hiawatha

Camp for free within a stone's throw of this waterfall pool in one of the more remote, but still readily accessible, parts of South Gippsland. Best for afternoon swimming on hot days in summer and autumn, when chilling out in the water does not mean getting frozen stiff…

Stratford upon Avon

The Avon River meanders through wide pebbly beaches either side of the Princes Hwy at this Shakespearean inspired town. On your way between Melbourne and Bairnsdale, the riffles catch your eye from the bridge above as they glisten in the sunlight…

Tambo River at Ramrod Creek

Relax, swim, jump or snorkel in the deep pool or splash around in the fast moving, shallow water upstream. Definitely one of the best swimming holes in Gippsland and readily accessible from the Princes Hwy alternative at Bruthen…

Tambo River at Sardine Flat

This roadside picnic area on the way to Metung in the Gippsland Lakes offers deep water swimming in a wide, open section of the Tambo River with expansive views upstream and downstream, and a couple of picnic tables nearby…

Tarago River at Picnic Point, Longwarry North

The Tarago River meanders past this grassy knoll with a shallow, sandy beach, where you dangle your feet in the water from the streamside logs, or wade into the water for a splash around. You will also find a playground and barbecue facilities…

Young's Creek Reservoir, Orbost

This former water supply reservoir north of Orbost offers long lap swimming in the middle of the bush, after a 2 km hike from the nearby picnic area. Pick a spot free of fallen timber and head out into the open water at this seldom visited swimming spot… Click or tap on the title or photo of each swimming spot to explore some recent history of outdoor swimming in Gippsland.

Hazelwood Pondage

I previously swam in this lake in mid-winter when it was heated by Hazelwood Power Station to a cosy 22 degrees year round. It was truly unique in Victoria as a swimming venue, and held regular long-distance swimming events until its closure in April 2019… Click or tap on the title or photo of each free public splash park if you want to have some family fun in the water, but the kids are not quite proficient enough to venture into a swimming hole.

Patterson Park, Metung

This park incorporates a splash pad that is flanked by two artificial meandering streams, all bordered by a long, curved wooden deck on one side and a lawn on the other. This little park packs a lot in and integrates well into the surrounding laid back village atmosphere… To find other swimming spots in and around Gippsland, order a copy of the Guide to Freshwater Swimming Holes in Victoria, which includes more of my favourite swimming holes plus additional information about some of the ones that I've shared online. Alternatively there are several swimming holes in and around Melbourne, north east Victoria and over the border on the NSW south coast that you can visit in an afternoon or day trip. If you know of a swimming hole in Gippsland that you think I should visit, suggest a site.

Too cold for a swim? Visit a waterfall

My companion website Waterfall Seasons of Victoria 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.

Before you head out, make sure to read the swimming safety information.

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