NSW’s top swim spots include Wattamolla, Jellybean Pool, Lake Parramatta
Sydney is known for big wave beaches but there are plenty of other places to cool down — even in landlocked suburbs — from inland waterfalls and rivers to coastal rock pools or even urban aquatic centres.
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Sydney is known for big wave beaches but there are plenty of other places to cool down — even in landlocked suburbs — from inland waterfalls and rivers to coastal rock pools or even urban aquatic centres.
And with temperatures set to tip over 40C in the city’s west, Western Sydney Business Chamber executive director David Borger urged people to swim locally — suggesting Parramatta Lake or the Nepean River.
“Nobody wants to make the trek from Western Sydney to (the coast) in a hot car in 38C,” he said. “There’s heaps of water holes in the west if you know where.”
At Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains, the Jellybean Pool is a secluded naturally-formed water hole in the shape of a jellybean.
Another hidden gem is Wattamolla Lagoon in the Royal National Park south of Sydney, which also features a waterfall and lookout.
Further south, Belmore Falls in Kangaroo Valley also offers a waterfall along with hidden pools, while Bournda Lagoon on the Sapphire Coast is a sheltered, shallow spot to swim.
Newcastle’s Bogey Hole is the oldest ocean pool on the east coast, hand carved by convicts in 1819.
Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres said there are many waterways to explore away from the beach, making for “a great opportunity to journey from coast to country and support our regions”.
There are also dozens of aquatic centres for cool family fun — often away from the sun, such as Cook and Phillip Park, Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, Olympic Park and Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre.
