Overview
When the weather's fine and balmy, there's nothing better than stripping down to your togs, baring your skin to the glaring summer rays and cannon-balling into a swimming hole near Melbourne.
And hey, why not make this the year to shake things up a little? Instead of heading to your local swimming spot you've frequented a thousand times before, opt for a more unusual swimming hole that's farther afield.
Not sure where to start? Luckily, we've done the research for you, so grab your inflatables and get ready to practice the art of floating, sans crowds. Here are our picks of the best swimming spots around Melbourne – be they waterfall, beach haven or billabong.
Recommended reads:
The Best Coastal Walks in and Around Melbourne
The Best Natural Hot Springs Near Melbourne
The Best Beach Camping Spots Near Melbourne
The Best Day Trips from Melbourne to Take in Summer
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.
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.
Laughing Waters, Eltham
Located less than an hour from the Melbourne CBD, the suburb of Eltham is home to a stunning section of the Yarra River that's perfect for lilo-drifting — when you perch yourself on an inflatable and let the gentle current carry you along the deep river banks.
Hidden amongst rambling native bushland, the popular Laughing Waters Swimming Hole also boasts small rapids and rock pools that are well worth exploring – just watch out for the yabbies. Bring your picnic lunch and blanket, but also be prepared to take your rubbish with you as there aren't any of the usual park amenities. But hey, that's a small price to pay for splendid, idyllic isolation, we reckon.›
Find it: Around a 45-minute drive from Melbourne.
Top Image: Fairy Cove, by Mark Watson for Visit Victoria