Many Sydney-siders are aware of the beautiful national parks right on their doorstep. Swimming holes like Lovett’s at Ku-ring-gai National Park and Karloo Pools inside The Royal National Park are often swarmed with visitors in search of a quick dip on a hot summer’s weekend.
But there are some stunning, lesser-known and less-crowded spots just a little further away that offer the same tranquility and refreshment when temperatures rise.
Nestled on the southwestern edge of Greater Sydney, the Wollondilly Shire stretches from the Macarthur region to the foothills of the Blue Mountains – home to a collection of stunning natural swimming spots waiting to be explored.
Here are three must-visit spots to add to your next nature-filled adventure.
Mermaid Pool, Tahmoor
The Mermaid Pool is a stunning waterfall located along the Bargo river right in the heart of Tahmoor. The Mermaid Pool is of cultural significance for the local Aboriginal community, the Tharawal people. It was traditionally considered a sacred site for women & childbirth and is believed to be protected by the river spirit, Migadan.
Whilst you cannot swim in the Mermaid Pool itself – dangerous due to submerged rocks and no easy entry/exit point, it’s a stunning spot for a walk through nature. It’s a fairly-easy track (4km return) through dense eucalypt bushland, marked by blue and pink ribbons (orienteering vibes) and yellow arrows spray-painted onto rocks. There are plenty of other spots to swim safely earlier on in the walk (or on your way back from viewing the pool) – such as the potholes swimming area and spots along the river with rope swings if you’re feeling a little more adventurous.
To reach the Mermaid Pool, head under the bridge from the car park and you’ll soon notice yellow painted arrows on the rocks guiding you to the trail entrance.
There are a few different paths you can use to access the breathtaking view of the Mermaid Pool – you can stay close to the river’s edge, which is where you’ll find some safe spots for a quick dip. Or you can follow the blue ribbons up the side of the hill to take the bush track before descending back down to view the Pool at the other end. The descent is a little rocky, so you’ll want to watch your feet and we wouldn’t recommend doing this one on a wet day.
Minerva Pool, Appin
The Minerva Pool walking track is located in the Dharawal National Park, a 70km drive south of Sydney. It’s a short, easy walk to reach the stunning watering hole surrounded by beautiful natural sandstone and a small stone island in the centre. The Minerva Pool is a sacred site for the local Aboriginal Dharawal community and women in particular. The Tharawal Local Aboriginal Land Council asks that only women and children enter the waters of Minerva Pool.
During the short walk to the pool (2.4km return) you’ll see Mountain Devil Shrub and Sydney Golden Wattle (commonly used by the Dharawal people for medicine and bush food). If you’re lucky you may also glimpse a wallaby or black cockatoo.
The Pool itself is surrounded by a rock face, certain areas naturally level and perfect for a packed picnic lunch (make sure you take all your rubbish with you when you leave)! It’s fairly easy to climb in and out of the pool for a refreshing dip, but be sure to watch your footing.
The start of the walking track to Minerva pool can be accessed about 100m from the carpark at the end of Victoria Road in Wedderburn. Unlike the Mermaid Pool track, this one is clearly signposted, so there should be no confusion finding your way to the swimming hole and back.
Jingga Pool, Appin
If you feel like visiting multiple swimming holes on the one day, head to Jingga Pool before or after you’ve visited Minerva Pool. The return track to the Jingga Pool is 3km and is of moderate difficulty. There is a sharp descent to reach O’Hares Creek en route to Jingga Pool, which means after cooling off in the sublime natural waters, you’ll probably work up a bit of a sweat returning to the car. But it is worth the effort! There’s also a waterfall at the pool, with waterflow varying depending upon recent rain fall levels.
Whilst the Tharawal Local Aboriginal Land Council ask respectfully that only women and children take a dip in the Minerva Pool, at Jingga Pool there are no restrictions when it comes to swimming.
This is another idyllic spot to sit and take in the surroundings over a picnic lunch, before cooling off for a dip in the natural waters.
From secluded rock pools to tranquil bushland oases, Wollondilly’s swimming holes offer the ideal way to slow down, cool off, and reconnect with the natural beauty outside the city and without the crowds.
Things to keep in mind: Always be mindful of weather conditions. We also highly recommend checking local guidelines, national park and council websites and using common sense when navigating any unattended freshwater swimming holes. Keep an eye on water quality and where possible, wear protective eyewear to swim and avoid consuming water.
