Eight Stunning Swimming Spots In and Around Sydney to Cool Off In This Summer

Love the beach but hate the crowds? Resolute Beach is your new sneaky fave. A drive through Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park and a short bushwalk rewards you with a mostly tourist-free taste of beach paradise. Park at the picnic ground and take the Resolute Loop Trail. You’ll walk an easy two kilometres through bushland before the path descends and there you see it: golden sands and emerald-sapphire waters stretching out to Barrenjoey Headland and the ocean beyond. Calm swells make for a perfectly relaxed beach swim. As the only other way to reach this cove is by boat, it’s a rare piece of unspoiled beauty. You can head straight back afterward, or carry on the loop track to West Head Lookout for more epic scenery.

Image: Andrew Gregory, Destination NSW

City proximity and beautiful scenery should make Winifred Falls one of NSW’s most popular swimming spots but, because you have to work for it, it’s rarely overcrowded. The short bushwalk from the car park is steep and sometimes muddy — demanding proper hiking boots — but it’s worth the effort for this oasis. Native forest greenery hangs over the cool creek lagoons and rock platforms that make up Winifred Falls. Our tip: pack a picnic lunch. You’ll want to stay a while.

Image: Adam Harvey, Flickr

A swimming pool with a harbour view? Luxury. On Woolloomooloo Bay, near the Royal Botanic Garden, sits the 50-metre saltwater Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton Pool. With seven lanes dedicated to laps, this outdoor pool is great for serious swimmers, while casual paddlers can use the ‘free play’ lane. Its current COVID Safety Plan means you can’t just lounge on the pool deck but, fortunately, the Poolside Cafe is a cut above your usual kiosk. The menu is packed with seasonal produce, snacks, spritzes and more. Order the vanilla salted pretzel milkshake to satisfy your post-swim munchies. Grab a table on the elevated openair terrace to enjoy the panoramic views or take your order to go and relax in the nearby park.

Image: Destination NSW

Sandy beaches in the Blue Mountains? You bet. Jellybean Pool might not have blue sea waters, but it has more than enough wild charm. Take a short walk down from the Glenbrook Information Centre and you’ll find this beloved swimming hole. Leave your things on the sand or surrounding rocks while you explore the pool, and keep an eye out for the abundant birdlife, including kestrels, lorikeets and kingfishers. The pristine natural surroundings and easy journey make it popular with Sydneysiders, so it’s best to go before lunch if you want a less busy swim. If you’re feeling intrepid, make a weekend of it by pitching a tent at Euroka Campground.

Image: Nina Matthews, Flickr

Discover the therapeutic qualities of Sydney’s saltwater coastline at Wylie’s Baths. Casual visits are currently on hold under the Bath’s COVID Safety Plan, but you can get multi-visit or annual passes, which give you access to the historic building and its unparalleled sea therapy — think soothing ocean waves, invigorating waters and stunning views of Wedding Cake Island and the Pacific. These baths are perfect for lap swimmers and casual pool-goers alike. Replenish your energy with kiosk snacks, or enjoy an outdoor massage on the decks at Massage by the Sea for an extra fee. Treat it like a spa day for body and soul — recharge, refresh and restore balance, naturally.

Images: Destination NSW

When you’re up for an out-of-town adventure, head south to Bulli. The rockpool dates back to the 1930s and sits against the cliff on the headland with sandy beaches to either side. Waves breaking against the wall of this 50-metre seawater pool make it feel like you’re doing laps at the edge of the world. When you’re all swum out, explore the gorgeous seaside town of Bulli. Historic buildings include the Bulli Heritage Hotel, established in 1889 and now a vibrant live music venue that also does a top pub feed. Or, go from the pool to Bulli Beach Cafe for cocktails and fresh seafood with an ocean view.

Images: Destination NSW

Lake Parramatta is a heritage-listed reservoir that’s been transformed for lovers of all splashing, swimming and non-motorised water activities. A piece of manmade tranquility only two kilometres from Parramatta CBD, its still, cool waters are surrounded by 73 hectares of bushland and wildlife, which you can explore via walking tracks. Bring your lilo for a lazy afternoon float, or hire a rowboat or paddleboat with mates. When you get peckish, unpack your picnic basket by the water, set up at the barbecue or visit the Lake Parramatta Cafe. You can also take a self-guided tour through the Arrunga Bardo Aboriginal Bush Food Garden.

Image: Jeffrey Drewitz, Destination NSW

Sometimes getting away from it all just means heading somewhere with sleep-ins, breakfast in bed and a luxurious rooftop pool with cocktails and charcuterie. The Old Clare comprises two heritage-listed buildings that have been revamped into one of Sydney’s most luxurious boutique hotels — think a blend of industrial chic and classic art deco design. Naturally, the rooftop pool and bar are anything but old fashioned. This unshaded heated pool offers laps with a city view and ample space for lounging. The pool is only open to guests but the rooftop bar is open to the public, so you can invite your friends for a rendezvous.

Image: Nikki To