The 22 Best Natural Swimming Spots Around Australia

Float away the long, summer days in some of the best natural swimming spots around the country.

Australia is extraordinarily lucky with its thousands of kilometres of beaches. They’re easy to find and practically begging us to dive in. But if you are after some freshwater pools or even off-the-beaten-path swim locations, things can get a little trickier. Luckily, we’re here to help.

From pristine waterfalls to remote watering holes, we’ve lined up some of the best wild swimming locations that Australia has to offer.

1. Dangar Falls, Dorrigo National Park, NSW

Drive inland from Coffs Harbour onto the Waterfall Way for this dramatic swimming spot on the Northern Tablelands in NSW. Underneath the cascading waterfall that stretches 30 metres up, you can take the narrow track down from the picnic area to take a dip in the pool at the bottom. Located in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.

a man standing at Dangar Falls, Dorrigo National Park, NSW — Plunge into the cold waters of Dangar Falls. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool, Yarrangobilly, NSW

While it’s reachable by a short, easy walk, the Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool is perfect for relaxing those sore muscles. Fed by a natural spring, the pool is a constant 27 degrees Celsius throughout the year – meaning you can even make a trip here in the winter months. Best paired with a visit to the impressive Yarrangobilly Caves nearby. Located in the Kosciuszko National Park.

a couple soaking a dip in the Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool, Yarrangobilly, NSW — Unwind in the rejuvenating Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Erskine Falls, Lorne, Vic

Driving down the Great Ocean Road can be a sticky business in the sweaty summertime. Take a break from the tarmac and stop by for a swim at the Erskine Falls in the coastal town of Lorne. It’s 230 steps down to the tree fern gully, where you can take a swim in its deep pool. Located in the Great Otway National Park.

an aerial view of Erskine Falls, Lorne, Vic — Beat the Australian heat at Erskine Falls. (Image: Visit Victoria)

4. Ladies Bath Falls, Mount Buffalo National Park, Vic

So-named for the old tradition where men and women would separate to take a dip, the cool waters in the granite pools of the Ladies Bath Falls can now be enjoyed by everyone. Nearby, you can also find jaw-dropping views at the Upper and Lower Eurobin Falls.

the Ladies Bath Falls in Mount Buffalo National Park, Vic — Take a soothing dip in the granite pools of Ladies Bath Falls. (Image: Visit Victoria)

5. Cardwell Spa Pools, Cardwell, Qld

A series of natural pools with a difference, this geological marvel is smack bang between Cairns and Townsville, on the Cassowary Coast. Once you arrive you can splash around in its pale, milky blue waters that change shades during the day as a result of the chemistry between the rocks and water. As a seasonal creek, it is best visited in the wet season.

an aerial view of Cardwell Spa Pools, Cardwell, Qld — Enjoy a dip in the milky blue waters of Cardwell Spa Pools. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

6. Champagne Pools, K’gari, Qld

A very special natural saltwater pool, the Champagne Pools on K’gari is so-named because of the fizzing effect the crashing waves have on the water. In fact, it’s one of the safest saltwater places to swim on the island. Get here by travelling to 75 Mile Beach on the island’s northeastern coast.

the Champagne Pools, K’gari, Qld — Champagne Pools is a natural saltwater pool. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

7. The Basin, Wadjemup (Rottnest Island), WA

Another one of Australia’s favourite saltwater pools, but this time on what is, quite possibly, its cutest island – courtesy of its adorable resident quokkas. Head to Wadjemup (also known as Rottnest Island) off the West Australian coast, where you’ll find this naturally hollowed-out reef between Pinky Beach and Longreach Bay.

an aerial view of The Basin, Wadjemup (Rottnest Island), WA — The Basin is fringed by a naturally hollowed-out reef. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

8. Zebedee Springs, El Questro Wilderness Park, WA

You will find plenty of pools in the far north of the state in its enormous El Questro Wilderness Park. Zebedee Springs consists of spectacular thermal pools and falls, set among tropical vegetation and prehistoric palms.

a couple enjoying a swim at Zebedee Springs, El Questro Wilderness Park, WA — Swim under palm trees at Zebedee Springs. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Be warned – it’s no easy afternoon trip. To get here it needs to be dry season, and you will have to take the Gibb River Road by a 4WD route from Kununurra or fly in. But the overall experience? Unforgettable.

the Zebedee Springs, El Questro Wilderness Park, WA — You’ll find Zebedee Springs nestled within El Questro Wilderness Park. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

9. Ewens Pond, Ewens Ponds Conservation Park, SA

Created by fresh springwater erosion of the limestone at the southern end of the state, the otherworldly Ewens Pond can be found 36 kilometres south of Mount Gambier. Underwater plants that have not been found anywhere else can be seen clearly here, thanks to the clarity of the water in the pools. If you wish to snorkel or dive, you will need a permit (which you can apply for here) .

diving underneath Ewens Pond, Ewens Ponds Conservation Park, SA — Dive into the depths of Ewens Pond. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

10. Pool of Siloam, Beachport, SA

For a trip to Australia’s very own Dead Sea (albeit, in miniature) on the South Australian Limestone Coast. It is thought to be seven times saltier than the sea itself, and as such, is thought to have therapeutic properties. Find out yourself when you enter to test out the water’s natural buoyancy.

scenic views over the Pool of Siloam, Beachport, SA — Bask in the magical sunrise over the Pool of Siloam. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

11. Bitter Springs, Elsey National Park, NT

Another thermal pool to add to your list. For the beguilingly blue waters and tropical vibes of Bitter Springs, head to the Top End and outside of Mataranka. But take note – you won’t be able to visit during the wet season. Not ready to let go of that spa life? You can also visit the nearby Mataranka Thermal Pool.

floating over Bitter Springs, Elsey National Park, NT — Float in the cobalt waters at Bitter Springs. (Image: Tourism NT/Backyard Bandits)

12. Kwartatuma (Ormiston Gorge) Water Hole, Tjorita / West MacDonnell National Park, NT

For secluded swims in the Northern Territory, it doesn’t get much better than the Kwartatuma swimming hole, 135 kilometres from Alice Springs. This outback pool is cold all year round, and is surrounded by sandy beaches and towering red walls and is best experienced after rainfall. If you feel up to it, you can also set out on the three-hour Ormiston Pound Walk nearby.

the Kwartatuma (Ormiston Gorge) Water Hole, Tjorita / West MacDonnell National Park, NT — Ormiston Gorge is surrounded by sandy beaches and towering red walls. (Image: Tourism NT)

13. Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tas

Along with Cradle Mountain, Dove Lake has played the main star in thousands of photos over the years, thanks to the dramatic wilderness landscape and mirror-like appearance. And while it is beautiful at any time of the year, come summertime it becomes warm enough to enter without shrieking.

misty mornings at the Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tas — Misty mornings at Cradle Mountain are divine. (Image: Off the Path)

It should go without saying that this wild swim is near perfect after a vigorous hike in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.

the Cradle Mountain refelcted in the Dove Lake, TAS — Cradle Mountain is reflected in Dove Lake. (Image: Tourism Tasmania and Rob Burnett)

14. Apsley River Waterhole, Douglas-Apsley National Park, Tas

Deep in the state’s dry eucalypt forests, Apsley Gorge is home to several watering holes and plunge pools. One of them – the Apsley River Waterhole – is considered one of Tasmania’s top swimming holes. If you find yourself exploring the east coast and longing to cool off in a freshwater pool, it is only a 15-minute walk to get here from the car park.

the Apsley River Waterhole, Douglas-Apsley National Park, Tas — Apsley River Waterhole is one of Tasmania’s top swimming holes. (Image: Simon Sturzaker)

15. Casuarina Sands, Stromlo, ACT

On the Murrumbidgee River, Casuarina Sands offers a welcome respite with riverside swimming on those scorching Canberra days. Shaded picnic spots dot the banks, while swimmers splash in the water. Feel like doing something different? It’s also a great spot to test out your canoeing skills and is the starting point for the 27.6-kilometre Murrumbidgee Discovery Track.

the calm waters at Casuarina Sands, Stromlo, ACT — Cool off at Casuarina Sands.

Need more wild swimming in your life?

Here are our other favourite pools where you can splash around in Australia.

16. Blue Pool, Briagolong State Forest, Vic

the Blue Pool, Briagolong State Forest, Vic — Soak in the calm waters at Blue Pool. (Image: Visit Victoria)

17. Never Never Creek, Bellingen, NSW

the Never Never Creek, Bellingen, NSW — Never Never Creek is a best-kept secret within Bellingen.

18. Millaa Millaa Falls, Millaa Millaa, Qld

the Millaa Millaa Falls, Millaa Millaa, Qld — The heritage-listed Millaa Millaa Falls is a sight to behold. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

19. Injidup Natural Spa/Wyadup Rocks, Margaret River, WA

two people enjoying a dip at Injidup Natural Spa/Wyadup Rocks, Margaret River, WA — Splash around Injidup Natural Spa. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

20. Greenly Beach Rock Pools, Coulta, SA

the Greenly Beach Rock Pools in Coulta, SA — Dip your toes into the clear blue Greenly Beach Rock Pools. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission/Elise Cook)

21. Gunlom Plunge Pool, Kakadu National Park, NT

a man enjoying a swim at Gunlom Plunge Pool, Kakadu National Park, NT — Gunlom Plunge Pool is a picturesque swimming spot in Kakadu. (Image: Tourism Australia/Nicholas Kavo)

22. Cataract Gorge, Launceston, Tas

scenic views over Cataract Gorge, in Launceston, Tas — Cataract Gorge is sequestered between lush greenery. (Image: Nat Mendham)

Slow down and find your rhythm on a Murray River journey through time and place.

Trust is a funny thing. It seems not that long ago that my mother was insisting on pouring the milk into my cereal bowl, because she didn’t trust me not to slosh it over the table, and yet here I am on the Murray River at Mildura in far north-west Victoria, being handed the keys to a very new and very expensive luxury houseboat.

After a crash course in how not to crash, I’m at the wheel of the good ship Elevate – pride of the All Seasons fleet – guiding her upstream past red-ochre cliffs as pelicans glide above the rippled river and kookaburras call from reedy banks. There’s a brief moment of breath-holding while I negotiate a hairpin turn around a jagged reef of skeletal, submerged gum trees, before a cheer rings out and calm descends as the timeless river unfurls in front of us.

The Murray River winding through Yarrawonga. (Image: Rob Blackburn)

Setting sail from Mildura

Murray River birds — Home to a large number of bird species, including pelicans. (Image: The Precint Studios)

A journey along the Murray River is never less than magical, and launching from Mildura makes perfect sense. Up here the river is wide and largely empty, giving novice skippers like myself the confidence to nudge the 60-tonne houseboat up to the riverbank where we tie up for the night, without fear of shattering the glass elevator (the boat is fully wheelchair accessible) or spilling our Champagne.

My friends and I spend three days on the water, swimming and fishing, sitting around campfires onshore at night, and basking in air so warm you’d swear you were in the tropics. The simplicity of river life reveals an interesting dichotomy: we feel disconnected from the world but at the same time connected to Country, privileged to be part of something so ancient and special.

Stop one: Echuca

19th-century paddlesteamers — A historic 19th-century paddlesteamer cruises along the Murray River. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The six-hour drive from Melbourne to Mildura (or four hours and 20 minutes from Adelaide) is more than worth it, but you don’t have to travel that far to find fun on the river. Once Australia’s largest inland port, Echuca is the closest point on the Murray to Melbourne (two hours 45 minutes), and you’ll still find a plethora of paddlesteamers tethered to the historic timber wharf, a throwback to the thriving river trade days of the 19th century. The PS Adelaide, built in 1866 and the oldest wooden-hulled paddlesteamer operating in the world, departs daily for one-hour cruises, while a brand-new paddlesteamer, the PS Australian Star , is launching luxury seven-night voyages in December through APT Touring.

The town is also a hot food and wine destination. St Anne’s Winery at the historic Port of Echuca precinct has an incredibly photogenic cellar door, set inside an old carriage builders’ workshop on the wharf and filled with huge, 3000-litre port barrels. The Mill, meanwhile, is a cosy winter spot to sample regional produce as an open fire warms the red-brick walls of this former flour mill.

Stop two: Barmah National Park

Just half-an-hour upstream, Barmah National Park is flourishing, its river red gum landscape (the largest in the world) rebounding magnificently after the recent removal of more than 700 feral horses. The internationally significant Ramsar-listed wetland sits in the heart of Yorta Yorta Country, with Traditional Owners managing the environment in close partnership with Parks Victoria. Walkways weave through the forest, crossing creeks lined with rare or threatened plants, passing remnants of Yorta Yorta oven mounds and numerous scar trees, where the bark was removed to build canoes, containers or shields.

The Dharnya Centre (open weekdays until 3pm) is the cultural hub for the Yorta Yorta. Visitors can learn about the ecological significance of the Barmah Lakes on a 90-minute river cruise, led by a First Nations guide, or take a one-hour, guided cultural walking tour along the Yamyabuc Trail.

Stop three: Cobram

Continue east to Cobram to find the southern hemisphere’s largest inland beach. Swarming with sun-seekers in summer, the white sand of Thompson’s Beach is shaded by majestic river red gums and dotted with hundreds of beach umbrellas, as beachgoers launch all manner of water craft and set up stumps for beach cricket. But the beach is at its most captivating at sunset, when the crowds thin out, the glassy river mirrors the purple sky, and the canopies of the gum trees glow fiery orange.

The region is also home to some fine resorts and indulgent retreats. Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort has two riverside championship golf courses, luxury apartments and self-contained villas. While not strictly on the Murray, the historic wine town of Rutherglen is rife with boutique (and unique) accommodation, including an exquisitely renovated red-brick tower in a French provincial-style castle at Mount Ophir Estate. Fans of fortified wines can unravel the mystery of Rutherglen’s ‘Muscat Mile’, meeting the vignerons and master-blenders whose artistry has put the town on the global map for this rich and complex wine style.

Stop four: Albury-Wodonga

First Nations YindyamarraSculpture Walk — First Nations Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk is part of the Wagirra Trail. (Image: Carmen Zammit)

Follow the river far enough upstream and you’ll arrive at the twin border cities of Albury-Wodonga. The Hume Highway thunders through, but serenity can be found along the five-kilometre Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk – part of the Wagirra Trail that meanders through river wetlands just west of Albury in Wiradjuri country. Fifteen sculptures by local First Nations artists line the trail, conveying stories of reconciliation, enduring connection to culture, local Milawa lore and traditional practices. It feels a long way from Mildura, and it is, but the pelicans and kookaburras remind us that it’s the same river, the great conduit that connects our country.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

New Mildura motel Kar-rama. (Image: Iain Bond Photo)

Kar-Rama is a brand-new boutique, retro-styled motel in Mildura, with a butterfly-shaped pool and a tropical, Palm Springs vibe. Echuca Holiday Homes has a range of high-end accommodation options, both on the riverfront and in town.

Playing there

BruceMunro’s Trail of Lights in Mildura — Bruce Munro’s Trail of Lights in Mildura. (Image: Imogen Eveson)

Artist Bruce Munro’s Trail of Lights installation, comprising more than 12,000 illuminated ‘fireflies’, is currently lighting up Mildura’s Lock Island in the middle of the Murray. Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) is a hub for contemporary art, with a rotating roster of exhibitions, and is a major outlet for young and First Nations artists.

Eating there

Mildura’s diverse demographic means it’s a fantastic place to eat. Andy’s Kitchen is a local favourite, serving up delicious pan-Asian dishes and creative cocktails in a Balinese-style garden setting. Call in to Spoons Riverside in Swan Hill to enjoy locally sourced, seasonal produce in a tranquil setting overlooking the river.

The 22 best natural swimming spots around Australia