Overview
Victoria's beaches might not have the warm waters that Sydney and Gold Coast brag about, but swimming holes are an idyllic summer staple here. Days above 30 degrees are swallowed up in cold dips, laying on sun-warmed rocks surrounded by native bush, and plotting where to stop for ice-cream on the way home.
Swimming holes near the city will do in a pinch, but a longer drive will reward you with clearer waters. As a pocket of nature left to its own devices, swimming holes carry a wild charm. They're also largely unpatrolled, which is why Parks Victoria advises paying close attention to water conditions. Strong currents, deep ends and debris sneak up, waterways are contaminated after rainfall, and solo swimmers are at higher risk — so grab a mate before you dive in.
We've rounded up our favourite swimming holes around Victoria. From a mineral-rich freshwater creek to mystical rock pools by the ocean, these are the spots you'll want to stake out in summer.
Recommended reads:
The Best Coastal Walks in and Around Melbourne
The Best Places to Go Kayaking or Canoeing Near Melbourne
The Best Beach Camping Spots Near Melbourne
The Best Day Trips from Melbourne to Take in Summer
Laughing Waters, Eltham
It's hard to believe that this pocket of calm is just a 45-minute drive from the CBD. Originally known as Garambi Baan, Laughing Waters is one of the rare swimmable sections of the Yarra River. Slip in for a secluded swim shaded by tall trees, or hop on to an inflatable and let the gentle rapids drift you along.
The serene site is also protected for its rich cultural history: ancient iuk (eel) traps built by the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people once captured native short-finned eels for food, and they remain along the river here. In the deeper and slower parts of the pool, you might spot the sleek olive-brown creatures at home in the water.
Find it: Around a 45-minute drive from Melbourne.
Kevin Yank via Flickr
Jebbs Pool, Lorne
The Great Ocean Road is marked by breathtaking stops, but some of its stunners lie off the beaten track. Jebbs Pool is a lesser-known wild freshwater amphitheatre just a short rainforest trail away from Cumberland River Holiday Park. Set against the dramatic clifftops and giant mountain ashes, the journey will make anyone feel wonderfully small.
Anything is gorgeous in the sun, but the moss and mist around Jebbs Pool lend it a haunting quality even on an overcast day. Catch your breath — the preferred way to enter the pool is by riding the natural rock slide straight into the crystal-clear waters below.
Find it: Around two hour's drive from Melbourne.
Cairns Bay, Flinders
This dreamy cluster of turquoise-blue rock pools is a prime spot for playing mermaids (yes, we all do it). Dip your head into the glassy water to discover the twisty seashells and darting small fish beneath the surface.
Even if the waves look rough along the Cairns Bay, keep going. Once you're down on the beach, head left. A natural rock wall keeps the water calm — just make sure that it's low tide before heading there. After a serene swim, a more convivial scene is just a 10-minute drive away at Bushrangers Bay's tidal pools.
Find it: Around an hour and a half''s drive from Melbourne.
Chris Olszewski via Wikimedia Commons
Bridgewater Bay, Blairgowrie
Doing an epic backflip off a cliff (or belly-flop with maximum bravado) and sputtering back up is a well-loved summer ritual. Surrounded by sandstone cliffs, Bridgewater Bay's rock pools are a popular spot for some cheeky cliff jumps.
Daredevils line the cliffs like seagulls waiting for someone to drop a chip — the water drops several metres, but keep an eye out for the shallower edges. If you're trying to avoid surprise splashes during your swim or snorkel sesh, there's a second pool over the rock ledge.
Find it: Around an hour and a half''s drive from Melbourne.
The Cascades, Metcalfe
Art people might want to put this on their list. Just a short drive from artsy Castlemaine, The Cascades is a collection of rock pools that doubles as an avant-garde sculpture park.
Over millennia, the Coliban River has carved clean, organic-shaped hollows and swirling water channels into the granite bedrock. The best crevices for a cool dip are uncovered by scrambling across moss-covered rocks.
Find it: Around an hour and a half''s drive from Melbourne.
Pat2007 via Flickr
Vaughan Mineral Springs, Castlemaine
Vaughan's Springs has seen generations of out-of-towners and Goldsfields locals come and go. The creek was the centre of a buzzing social calendar in the '50s; a fair lady was crowned Miss Central Victoria in 1952 by these very waters.
Surrounded by shady gum trees — one of them holding an old-school rope swing — the scenery remains a vintage postcard of the riverside. A mineral water swim is the perfect way to round off a Goldfields road trip, especially when it's fuss-free. Luckily, this is one of the few spots on this list with accessible amenities like public toilets, electric BBQs and picnic tables.
Find it: Around an hour and a half''s drive from Melbourne.
Kitty Miller Bay, Philip Island
The salty waters at this 500-metre-long, horseshoe-shaped beach provide good luck and good times to all who enter. Located on Phillip Island, it's a sweet coastal setting where visitors can find solace in the gentle waves, venture further out to hit the surf or have a snorkel among the rocky reefs — with sponge, starfish and other aquatic creatures happily going about their day.
If you're especially keen on the latter, come by at low tide when the beach reveals a large rock platform that acts as a good jumping-off point. And in between dips, you can stoke your inquisitive spirit with a mosey around the famed rusted wreckage of the SS Speke, which ran aground in 1906 and is also accessible at low tide.
Find it: Around a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Melbourne.
R.Reeve via Flickr
Loddon Falls, Glenlyon
A quick drive beyond Daylesford and a short descent along a bushwalking trail in Glenlyon lies your new rugged swimming spot of choice. Here, Loddon River drops to the gorge below in a cascading waterfall, creating an idyllic swimming hole that feels blissfully far removed from the city.
Take it all in as you float, from the gentle rush of the falls to the scrub clinging to the high basalt columns around the sheltered gorge. Formed by volcanic eruptions around 2.5 million years ago, Loddon Falls is now a tranquil bush reserve that's perfect for relaxing and spotting native fauna — wallabies, kangaroos and echidnas are all known to make appearances.
Find it: Around a 90-minute drive from Melbourne.
Luisa Denu (Unsplash)
The Pillars, Mount Martha
You could easily forget you're only a 45-minute drive out of Melbourne when you're swimming off The Pillars in Mount Martha — it feels more like a tropical paradise or hidden cove in The Med. But, prepare to work for your day of splashing.
This isn't a beach, it's a rock formation that juts out into the sea. So, you'll need to scale the rocks to get in and out of the water — or join all the young guns who come here for cliff jumping. It's a great off-the-beaten-path swimming spot, which means going without the usual beach amenities. Come with everything you need for the day — sunscreen, towel, snacks and a bottle of water.
Find it: Around a one-hour drive drive from Melbourne.
Mark Watson for Visit Victoria
Croajingolong, Gippsland
They say that good things come to those who wait. And while six hours may seem like a long time, it's well worth the road trip for the swimming spot of your dreams. So round up a few mates, organise a tent and get ready to hit the beach. Spread across hundreds of kilometres in Gippsland, the Croajingolong National Park is beautifully wild and rugged, with eucalypt forests leading to long, white sandy beaches and scores of sheltered inlets primed for swimming.
Plus, this truly secluded paradise offers crystal clear waters that are ideal for snorkelling and it has plenty of coastal campsites to choose from. Get ready to Instagram like crazy.
Note: Parts of Croajingolong National Park are currently still closed due to bushfire damage and erosion. For the most updated information and alerts, head to the Parks Victoria website.
Find it: Around a six-hour drive from Melbourne.
Josie Withers for Visit Victoria
Ladies Bath Falls, Mount Buffalo
Every bit as tranquil as it sounds, Ladies Bath Falls is a picture-perfect swimming spot tucked away within Mount Buffalo National Park. In the early 20th century, it was a popular pit stop along the climb up Mount Buffalo, with separate natural pools reserved for women and men. These days, its pure mountain waters and lush surrounds are enjoyed by all, with the brisk temperatures proving a real treat on sweaty summer days.
You'll find plenty of picturesque spots nearby to drop your blanket for a post-dip picnic, as well as walking trails weaving through the surrounding bush. But if you're looking to camp in the area, be sure to plan ahead by checking updates on opening times at the Parks Victoria website.
Find it: Around three and a half hour's drive from Melbourne.
Visit Victoria
Blue Pool, East Gippsland
If you've been hankering for something a little special, it might be time to make the pilgrimage to Briagolong State Forest. Two and a half hours east of the CBD, Blue Pool (just outside of Briagolong) is worth any distance of travel, promising a great stop during a coastal road trip or weekend getaway.
Here, in a natural oval-shaped pool in the Freestone Creek gorge, the water is clear as glass and tends to stay relatively warm all year round. Once you're happily submerged, take a moment to admire the beautiful, tranquil surrounds. You may just see a kangaroo bounding by or some colourful parrots flying overhead. If you feel like staying and cracking open the marshmallows, there's a popular camping spot nearby, as well as plenty more to be found throughout Briagolong State Forest.
Find it: Around two and a half hour's drive from Melbourne.
Ian Cochrane via Flickr
Half Moon Bay, Black Rock
Throw down your towel and get ready to frolic amongst this lunar-shaped beach and its sandy shores, which are less of a secret than some others on this list, but gorgeous all the same. Half Moon Bay is more for floating and bobbing than for surfing or getting dumped by waves, so it's a winner when all you want is a leisurely day on the beach.
For the rest of you, take a jaunt around the surrounding cliffs, where primo coastal views await you. Once you're finished, venture back down to sink your toes in the sand and cool off with a dip. Oh, and while you're there, be sure to enjoy a fishy feed from one of the seafood restaurants by Black Rock Wharf.
Find it: Around a 30-minute drive from Melbourne.
Nick Carson via Wikimedia Commons
Pound Bend, Warryndyte
Even though the Yarra River isn't swimmable in the city, there are cleaner spots upstream. Among them is Pound Bend Reserve in Warrandyte State Park, which is only around 30 kilometres northeast of the CBD — making it the closest swimming spot to the city. It's also a great spot to go canoeing or kayaking.
Here, you spread out on the rocks with a picnic and wade in the swimming hole encircled by bushland. Then, wander along Pound Bend River Walk, a 1.5-kilometre saunter upstream into koala territory. Just be sure to check the water quality before you go — it's not recommended you swim after rain. And be aware that the currents can get quite strong here. While it's one of our favourite swim spots in Melbourne, there have been a few water rescues and drowning incidents here. Never swim alone, and always keep an eye out for your mates who aren't strong swimmers.
Find it: Around a 45-minute drive from Melbourne.
Strathbogie City Council
Polly McQuinns, Strathbogie
According to legend, Polly McQuinn was a baby-faced settler who could not grow a beard and drowned in these waters after one too many sherries. But despite the gnarly history, this deep swimming hole in Ned Kelly country (located on the Seven Creeks) offers a welcome respite from the heat and proves a scenic spot to splash about.
With man-made waterfalls, rapids, and a purpose-built diving board for plunging and belly-flops, it's an ideal day trip for those after something a little different and with a bit of character. The water travels over the concrete weir wall, under a road bridge and over large exposed granite boulders before settling into a deep-water pool. Just keep your wits about you and don't go the way of Polly while you're here.
Find it: Around two hour's drive from Melbourne.
Madeleine Deaton via Flickr
Fairy Cove, Wilsons Promontory
Sadly no fairies (that we know of) reside in the stunning blue waters here, but the magical seclusion away from the crowds of Wilsons Prom's busier sites is well worth heading off the beaten track for.
To find Fairy Cove's white sandy beach and heavenly pool, park at Darby Saddle and take a sweaty hike through the steep terrain of Tongue Point Walk — you'll be well rewarded by the isolated beach, cooling waters and blissful serenity that awaits you. If time is on your side, you can make the full nine-kilometre trek from Darby River, which passes through Fairy Cove and finishes at the breathtaking Tongue Point lookout.
Find it: Around three hour's drive from Melbourne.
Top Image: Fairy Cove, by Mark Watson for Visit Victoria