11 awesome Aussie swimming spots

Grab your boardies! From natural wonders to epic pools, here are 11 awesome places to make a splash around Australia.

<b>GUNLOM PLUNGE POOL, KAKADU, NT:</b> Known as nature’s infinity pool, Gunlom is one of the most extraordinary spots to enjoy sweeping views over Kakadu National Park. The billabong at the base of the falls is a popular attraction and made an appearance in Crocodile Dundee. A steep climb to reach the top of the falls will get you to the less-visited, crystal clear plunge pool. Gunlom is the only escarpment waterfall in Kakadu that is accessible by 2WD vehicle during dry season, and the site has picnic and camping facilities. <a href="http://www.kakadutourism.com/" target="_blank">kakadutourism.com</a>

1/11GUNLOM PLUNGE POOL, KAKADU, NT: Known as nature’s infinity pool, Gunlom is one of the most extraordinary spots to enjoy sweeping views over Kakadu National Park. The billabong at the base of the falls is a popular attraction and made an appearance in Crocodile Dundee. A steep climb to reach the top of the falls will get you to the less-visited, crystal clear plunge pool. Gunlom is the only escarpment waterfall in Kakadu that is accessible by 2WD vehicle during dry season, and the site has picnic and camping facilities. kakadutourism.com

<b>CHAMPAGNE POOLS, FRASER ISLAND, QUEENSLAND: </b>Like most of the Queensland coastline, Fraser Island is blessed with great spots to swim. The stunningly beautiful freshwater Lake Mackenzie, with its brilliant white sand is, understandably, the island’s most popular drawcard. But for a dip that’s a little different, venture to the northern end of the 75 Mile Beach to discover the Champagne Pools. Named for the way the foam fizzes as the ocean crashes in, the naturally formed volcanic rock pools are a unique spot to experience a dip on a beach that’s otherwise off-limits for swimmers. Cheers! <a href="http://www.visitfrasercoast.com/" target="_blank">visitfrasercoast.com</a> Picture: Glenn Hunt

2/11CHAMPAGNE POOLS, FRASER ISLAND, QUEENSLAND: Like most of the Queensland coastline, Fraser Island is blessed with great spots to swim. The stunningly beautiful freshwater Lake Mackenzie, with its brilliant white sand is, understandably, the island’s most popular drawcard. But for a dip that’s a little different, venture to the northern end of the 75 Mile Beach to discover the Champagne Pools. Named for the way the foam fizzes as the ocean crashes in, the naturally formed volcanic rock pools are a unique spot to experience a dip on a beach that’s otherwise off-limits for swimmers. Cheers! visitfrasercoast.com Picture: Glenn Hunt

<b>STOKES BAY BEACH, KANGAROO ISLAND, SOUTH AUSTRALIA:</b> The hidden beach at Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island’s north coast emerges beyond a short, cave-like walking track. Visitors step out from the tunnel to discover a sandy beach, a calm inlet with clear water and a huge natural rock pool to shelter swimmers from the waves. Tourism Australia ranks it as among the nation’s top swimming beaches. Kids love exploring rock pools at the water’s edge and the bay area is also popular with the island’s most famous residents - kangaroos. <a href="http://www.kangarooisland-australia.com/" target="_blank">kangarooisland-australia.com</a> Picture: SATC

3/11STOKES BAY BEACH, KANGAROO ISLAND, SOUTH AUSTRALIA: The hidden beach at Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island’s north coast emerges beyond a short, cave-like walking track. Visitors step out from the tunnel to discover a sandy beach, a calm inlet with clear water and a huge natural rock pool to shelter swimmers from the waves. Tourism Australia ranks it as among the nation’s top swimming beaches. Kids love exploring rock pools at the water’s edge and the bay area is also popular with the island’s most famous residents - kangaroos. kangarooisland-australia.com Picture: SATC

<b>ADELPHI HOTEL, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA: </b>More a city type than outdoors adventurer? This hotel pool perched above Melbourne’s iconic CBD laneways fits the bill for a unique swim. The glass-bottomed pool juts out 2m beyond the edge of the building over Flinders Lane, letting swimmers peer down the nine-storey drop below – and providing a striking sight for passers-by as they look up. During summer, the hotel opens the pool deck to the public for ticked weekend afternoon sessions. <a href="http://adelphi.com.au/" target="_blank">adelphi.com.au</a> Picture: Instagram

4/11ADELPHI HOTEL, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA: More a city type than outdoors adventurer? This hotel pool perched above Melbourne’s iconic CBD laneways fits the bill for a unique swim. The glass-bottomed pool juts out 2m beyond the edge of the building over Flinders Lane, letting swimmers peer down the nine-storey drop below – and providing a striking sight for passers-by as they look up. During summer, the hotel opens the pool deck to the public for ticked weekend afternoon sessions. adelphi.com.au Picture: Instagram

<b>EMMA GORGE, KIMBERLEY, WA: </b>The hour-long walk it takes to reach Emma Gorge will ensure you really appreciate the refreshing reward at the end. The cool oasis is one of the Kimberley’s most spectacular gorges, with the water hole sit amid towering cliffs. As well as the 65m droplet waterfall, the gorge’s rocks also feature a trickle of a thermal spring that offers a warmth while swimming in the bracing water. The starting point for the hike is the Emma Gorge Resort, part of the El Questro Wilderness Park, near Kununurra. The park is also home to nine more waterfalls, and accommodation ranging from the luxury El Questro Homestead to campsites. <a href="http://elquestro.com.au/" target="_blank">elquestro.com.au</a>

5/11EMMA GORGE, KIMBERLEY, WA: The hour-long walk it takes to reach Emma Gorge will ensure you really appreciate the refreshing reward at the end. The cool oasis is one of the Kimberley’s most spectacular gorges, with the water hole sit amid towering cliffs. As well as the 65m droplet waterfall, the gorge’s rocks also feature a trickle of a thermal spring that offers a warmth while swimming in the bracing water. The starting point for the hike is the Emma Gorge Resort, part of the El Questro Wilderness Park, near Kununurra. The park is also home to nine more waterfalls, and accommodation ranging from the luxury El Questro Homestead to campsites. elquestro.com.au

<b>PENINSULA HOT SPRINGS, MORNINGTON PENINSULA, VICTORIA: </b>Sure, this is more about relaxing than active swimming, but with gorgeous views and a whole host of bathing experiences, who’s going to complain? Victoria’s first natural thermal mineral springs bathing facility is fed by hot water flowing from deep underground. There’s a cave pool, a family bathing area and areas reserved for over-16s, a hydrotherapy pool and a moon-viewing pool, along with spa treatment and dining options. <a href="http://peninsulahotsprings.com/" target="_blank">peninsulahotsprings.com</a>

6/11PENINSULA HOT SPRINGS, MORNINGTON PENINSULA, VICTORIA: Sure, this is more about relaxing than active swimming, but with gorgeous views and a whole host of bathing experiences, who’s going to complain? Victoria’s first natural thermal mineral springs bathing facility is fed by hot water flowing from deep underground. There’s a cave pool, a family bathing area and areas reserved for over-16s, a hydrotherapy pool and a moon-viewing pool, along with spa treatment and dining options. peninsulahotsprings.com

<b>BOGEY HOLE, NEWCASTLE, NSW: </b>Australia’s oldest surviving ocean bath was hand-carved into rocks by convicts between 1818 and 1822, for the personal use of Commandant James Morisset. These days, the historic site is open to the public, and when you see the waves crash into the pool you’ll be astounded at the convicts’ incredible achievement in building it. Originally known as the “Commandant’s Baths”, the name Bogey Hole comes from an indigenous term meaning “to bathe”. <a href="http://www.visitnewcastle.com.au/" target="_blank">visitnewcastle.com.au</a> Picture: JR Fraser/Flickr

7/11BOGEY HOLE, NEWCASTLE, NSW: Australia’s oldest surviving ocean bath was hand-carved into rocks by convicts between 1818 and 1822, for the personal use of Commandant James Morisset. These days, the historic site is open to the public, and when you see the waves crash into the pool you’ll be astounded at the convicts’ incredible achievement in building it. Originally known as the “Commandant’s Baths”, the name Bogey Hole comes from an indigenous term meaning “to bathe”. visitnewcastle.com.au Picture: JR Fraser/Flickr

<b>NORTH SYDNEY OLYMPIC POOL, NSW: </b>You don’t get a much better position on the harbour than bang between the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Luna Park. Once known as the “wonder pool of Australasia” - thanks to its then cutting-edge filtration system - the pool dates back to 1936, when it opened ahead of its use in the 1938 Empire Games. Since then, the saltwater pool has been the site of an impressive 86 world records - and many more Instagram posts. <a href="http://northsydney.nsw.gov.au/" target="_blank">northsydney.nsw.gov.au</a> Picture: Toby Zerna

8/11NORTH SYDNEY OLYMPIC POOL, NSW: You don’t get a much better position on the harbour than bang between the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Luna Park. Once known as the “wonder pool of Australasia” - thanks to its then cutting-edge filtration system - the pool dates back to 1936, when it opened ahead of its use in the 1938 Empire Games. Since then, the saltwater pool has been the site of an impressive 86 world records - and many more Instagram posts. northsydney.nsw.gov.au Picture: Toby Zerna

<b>JOSEPHINE FALLS, BABINDA, QUEENSLAND: </b>Who can resist the delights of a waterhole with its own natural waterslide? Josephine Falls sits amid lush tropical rainforest at the base of Queensland’s tallest mountain, Mt Bartle Frere, south of Cairns. There are viewing platforms overlooking the picturesque falls but the real highlight is cooling off at the base where steep granite rocks form a slippery slide into the pool. Flash flooding can occur in the wet season, so check the national parks advice before your visit. <a href="http://npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/wooroonooran-josephine-falls/" target="_blank">npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/wooroonooran-josephine-falls </a>Picture: Tourism Tropical North Queensland

9/11JOSEPHINE FALLS, BABINDA, QUEENSLAND: Who can resist the delights of a waterhole with its own natural waterslide? Josephine Falls sits amid lush tropical rainforest at the base of Queensland’s tallest mountain, Mt Bartle Frere, south of Cairns. There are viewing platforms overlooking the picturesque falls but the real highlight is cooling off at the base where steep granite rocks form a slippery slide into the pool. Flash flooding can occur in the wet season, so check the national parks advice before your visit. npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/wooroonooran-josephine-falls Picture: Tourism Tropical North Queensland

<b>OAKS PACIFIC BLUE RESORT, PORT STEPHENS, NSW: </b>If clocking up a few long, lazy laps is your kind of holiday activity, this resort on the NSW mid-north coast is the one for you. The pool surrounding the resort is said to be the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere, measuring about 10 times the length of an Olympic swimming pool and covering an area of about 3000sq m. Water lovers can opt to stay in swim-out apartments or townhouses with private plunge pools. <a href="http://www.minorhotels.com/en/" target="_blank">minorhotels.com</a>

10/11OAKS PACIFIC BLUE RESORT, PORT STEPHENS, NSW: If clocking up a few long, lazy laps is your kind of holiday activity, this resort on the NSW mid-north coast is the one for you. The pool surrounding the resort is said to be the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere, measuring about 10 times the length of an Olympic swimming pool and covering an area of about 3000sq m. Water lovers can opt to stay in swim-out apartments or townhouses with private plunge pools. minorhotels.com

<b>CRADLE MOUNTAIN, TASMANIA:</b> Hold on a minute, you can’t swim a mountain, can you? Actually, you can. If you’ve work up a sweat on a hike around Dove Love, you could take the plunge and admire striking views of the mountain, near the start of the epic Overland Track. But for a truly exhilarating option, a canyoning tour will see you don a wetsuit and climb, jump, abseil and swim through some of Tassie’s otherwise inaccessible wilderness highlights. Canyoning does require a certain amount of courage, but there are options that cater to kids from age eight. <a href="http://www.cradlemountaincanyons.com.au/" target="_blank">cradlemountaincanyons.com.au</a>, <a href="http://www.cradlehuts.com.au/" target="_blank">cradlehuts.com.au</a> Picture: Tim Hughes / Tourism Tasmania

11/11CRADLE MOUNTAIN, TASMANIA: Hold on a minute, you can’t swim a mountain, can you? Actually, you can. If you’ve work up a sweat on a hike around Dove Love, you could take the plunge and admire striking views of the mountain, near the start of the epic Overland Track. But for a truly exhilarating option, a canyoning tour will see you don a wetsuit and climb, jump, abseil and swim through some of Tassie’s otherwise inaccessible wilderness highlights. Canyoning does require a certain amount of courage, but there are options that cater to kids from age eight. cradlemountaincanyons.com.au, cradlehuts.com.au Picture: Tim Hughes / Tourism Tasmania

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