Wild Swimming: The Travel Trend Making a Splash in Australia

Aquatic escapes are one of 2024’s coolest trends. Test the waters with a wild swim safari.

It turns out the lyrics of the 1980s hip-hop anthem Push It hold the key to unlocking my freestyle stroke. Who knew? Yet here I am on a beach in Margaret River, beat-bopping along to Salt-N-Pepa and pushing it good with bent elbows.

Coach and self-titled ‘chief mermaid’ Charlotte O’Beirne is at the lead, demonstrating how to carve our palms through the water, from bellybutton to thigh, in a setting she describes as “Mother Nature’s VIP section". I emulate her instructions in the water (singing silently, of course) and it works. Surprise ends up being the theme of the WA winemaking region’s new swim safari.

There are hiking holidays, culinary tours and photography adventures. Now, the trends of reconnecting with nature, acting sustainably and embracing a mental – as well as physical – refresh have converged to spit out a new niche. Wild swimming is the hottest new thing in the realm of special-interest holidays.

The new travel trend

Swimming Women, which launched in January 2024, is one of only a handful that operates in Australia. The basic concept is you sign up to explore a dreamy destination with like-minded others, only you do it in the water, wearing goggles and a swimming cap – and possibly chasing it with a wine tasting. You get to see a place from a completely different perspective – above and below the waterline – do things you probably wouldn’t do alone, learn skills from a pro, bask in the encouragement of others and almost accidentally blend in exercise.

It’s been ‘a thing’ in Europe for a bit. UK travellers have understandably embraced jetting to balmier locales to splash about. Trips thread through Croatia’s Dalmatian Islands, along the chiselled cliffs of Portugal’s Algarve region and to the turquoise waters of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. Some test endurance or are tied to events, but most are about the joy of immersing yourself in water – whether it be an endorphin-boosting cold plunge or a sedate tropical float.

an aerial view of women floating above Margaret River — Soak in the saturated colours of Margaret River. (Image: Jarrad Seng)

In Australia, the travel trend is gaining momentum, not least for the fun of a communal dip followed by good coffee. Experiences extend beyond the Aussie habit of chucking on bathers and jumping in the big blue.

You can join escorted group swims around Heron Island glimpsing the Great Barrier Reef; sign up for swim weeks led by an ex-Ironman Champion off Lord Howe Island; gorge-hop through NT’s Nitmiluk National Park; take a multi-day tour of Sydney sea pools; or try a cold-water camp in Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula, which includes a dip at night and optional qualifying swim for the English Channel.

The Swimming Women experience

Margaret River’s new Swimming Women experience is a holiday jammed into a day. It finds me running underwater while weighted down with a rock like a surfer on Blue Crush, ducking through a coral cathedral like a mermaid and diving to the floor of a river for astonishing, glass-like clarity. But first, we get in the zone.

Under Charlotte’s bubbly leadership, our group hikes through fragrant coastal scrub to Gnarabup Beach, a short drive from iconic wineries Cape Mentelle , Xanadu Wines and Voyager Estate .

Towels are unfurled in the mid-morning sun, its toasty rays dispersed by the maritime breeze. Breaths deepen as our leader guides us through meditative stretches and engages our sensory awareness, luring us into a headspace away from work worries.

“It’s about being in the elements," she says. “We’re so safe in our clothes. It’s exhilarating to be fully in nature." As we shed layers, her humour puts us all at ease. “We’re all hairy, furry, lumpy and bumpy and it doesn’t matter, because the water treats us all the same," she says. Before our toes enter the Indian Ocean, Charlotte shares a cultural acknowledgement respectful of the local Wadandi saltwater people, the Traditional Owners.

an aerial view of swimmers along Gnarabup Beach — Swimmers ‘push it’ to the limit off Gnarabup Beach in WA’s Margaret River region. (Image: Jarrad Seng)

I’m what you could call late to the swimming party. Hopeless at school carnivals – unless inhaling water is a sport – I’ve never been one for laps. In the ocean, I tend to stick to somersaults in the shallows. But on this day, adrenaline rising, I follow a support coach beyond the navy waterline. She clutches a hot-pink floatie as we wade over seaweed that swirls like long, tangly hair to reach a shallow reef invisible from the beach.

This is where the swim-throughs happen, something I find unexpected courage for, cheered on by the whoops and claps of the joyful group. We freestyle to a buoy marking where surfers place rocks for underwater endurance training. I clumsily give it a shot – cue more cheers – and find myself relaxing into this aquatic frolic. Still, churning through the wavy ocean isn’t my forte; gulping splatters ensue.

A safe and judgement-free space

Having trained some 1500 local women through her swim school, Charlotte shows me how to breathe to the side and raise my head away from the swell. “Swimming is the most magical thing for your body and your soul," she says. “There’s no pressure to be fast. Many women just love doing handstands."

Back on the sand, coffee is served in mismatched mugs at local favourite ‘the Prev’, the shop that services Prevelly Caravan Park. A patterned throw and basket of freshly baked French pastries awaits in the shade of melaleuca trees.

Restored, we amble to Surfers Point, a famed spot that in April hosted Kelly Slater and Jack Robinson at World Surf League’s Margaret River Pro. A group of wetsuit-clad surfers cluster behind the break.

“They call it corduroy to the horizon when the rows of swell come in," says Charlotte. But we’re not here to spectate. Down steps edged with plaques naming champion surfers, Charlotte points to a crystalline channel and we drift playfully on the current.

a group of women on a swimming adventure in Margaret River — A women’s only swimming adventure is the ultimate in immersive therapy. (Image: Jarrad Seng)

Floating in Margaret River

Another hike leads us to the eponymous Margaret River. The waterway lies silent, with glints of sunlight sparkling like glitter on its surface. Unaccustomed to freshwater, I’m unsure about wading into the brown.

Charlotte offers another perspective. “The tannins seep into the water from the melaleuca trees," she says. “When you look down it’s golden amber and it’s special to notice."

After breast stroking to a riverbend, some women dive to the bottom, floating to the surface with arms swept wide. Their glee at passing through the haze to a clarified river floor sees us all try it out. Not for the first time, my fears are met, surpassed, and replaced with joy.

Picnic blankets, cushions and lunch platters greet us on the riverbank. Grilled haloumi and smoked chicken with a green goddess salad, Moroccan cauliflower and pearl couscous.

women having a picnic WA’s Margaret River region — A picturesque picnic adds to the magic of a swim holiday. (Image: Jarrad Seng)

Hiking back to our cars, we swap bathers for coastal-chic garb and convoy to cellar door Walsh and Sons, fringed by forest. As a former organiser of the Margaret River Wine Show , Charlotte doubles as sommelier, taking us through a sip and swill of her favourite biodynamic drops.

By day’s end, I am officially converted to the concept of an aquatic escape. The sweetness of being physically spent after a series of destination paddles, finished with an iconic Margaret River experience, leaves me certain this is a trend worth travelling for. With Salt-N-Pepa playing in my head, I can’t wait to next dive in.

an aerial view of turquoise waters in Gnarabup Beach in WA’s Margaret River region — This swimming trend is a new form of aquatic escape. (Image: Jarrad Seng)

Swimming Women runs day tours of Margaret River once a month, all year round. Private tours can be arranged. It also offers extended swimming holidays on Rottnest Island and in Sydney.

This remote corner of Australia is one of the world’s last frontiers. This is how to see it properly.

Vast, rugged and deeply spiritual, the Kimberley coast in Australia’s North West feels a world away from everyday Australia – and there are countless ways to explore it. But if you want to reach ancient rock art, hidden gorges and lonely waterfalls, it has to be by boat. Whether you’re aboard a nimble expedition vessel or a luxury yacht with all the trimmings, exploring by the water brings exclusive experiences, shows unique views and makes travel easier than any other mode. And that’s just the beginning of Australia’s North West cruises.

The True North Adventure Cruise in between sandstone cliffs. — Adventure starts where the road ends.

1. Discover Broome, and beyond

Explore your launchpad before you set sail: Broome. Here camels and their riders stride along the 22 kilometres of powdery Cable Beach at sunset. That’s just the start.

At Gantheaume Point, red pindan cliffs plunge into the turquoise sea, whose low tide uncovers fossilised dinosaur footprints. Broome’s pearling history runs deep. Japanese, Chinese, Malay and Aboriginal divers once worked these waters, and their legacy lives on in boutiques where South Sea pearls still shine.

If the moon’s right, you may catch the Staircase to the Moon over Roebuck Bay. Or simply kick back with a cold beverage and a film under the stars at Sun Pictures , screening since 1916.

Ride a camel along Cable Beach as the sun sinks into the Indian Ocean, casting golden light across the sand and sea. — Ride a camel along Cable Beach. (Image: Nick Dunn)

2. Unmatched access to The Kimberley

Once you’re onboard, expect a backstage pass to some of the most isolated places on Earth. No roads. No ports. No phone reception.

At Horizontal Falls/ Garaanngaddim, 10-metre tides surge through twin gorges like a natural waterpark ride that’ll make your palms sweat. Then there’s Montgomery Reef/ Yowjab: a giant living platform of coral and seagrass, where the sea pulls back to reveal waterfalls, sea turtles and ospreys.

Up north, King George Falls/ Oomari rage 80 metres down red cliffs. Zodiac boats often nudge in closer so you can feel the spray on your sun-warmed cheeks. You might even fly in to reach Mitchell Falls/ Punamii-unpuu, a four-tiered cascade where you can swim in freshwater pools above the drop.

Come spring, some itineraries veer west to Rowley Shoals: an atoll chain of white sand and reef walls. Then it’s up the winding Prince Regent River to King Cascade/ Maamboolbadda, tumbling over rock terraces, and into a Zodiac to view the Gwion Gwion rock art, whose slender, ochre-painted figures are older than the pyramids.

A cruise drifts beneath King George Falls, where sheer sandstone cliffs frame the thunderous plunge into turquoise waters. — Get closer to the Kimberley than ever before.

3. Taste the Kimberley with onboard hospitality

You might spend your days clambering over slippery rocks or charging past waterfalls. But when you’re back on the water, it’s a different story. Meals are chef-prepared and regionally inspired: grilled barramundi, pearl meat sashimi, mango tarts, and bush tomato chutney. One night it’s barefoot beach barbecues with your shipmates; the next, alfresco dining on the ship.

Small expedition ships each have their own personality, but many carry just 12 to 36 guests, making being out on the water a whole other experience. You might sink into a spa on the foredeck or sip coffee in a lounge while watching crocodiles cruise by. It’s choose-your-own-relaxation, Kimberley style.

4. Expert-led excursions through the Kimberley

These voyages are led by people who know the Kimberley like the back of their sunburnt hand. Attenborough-esque naturalists might gently tap your shoulder to point out rare birds or tell the story beneath a slab of rock. Historians can explain exactly how that rusted World War II relic came to rest here.

If your ship has a helipad, you might chopper straight to a waterfall-fed swimming hole. If not, you’ll still be hopping ashore for that wet landing at a secret creek.

Then come the evenings: songlines shared by Traditional Owners under the stars, or astronomy sessions that link what’s overhead with what’s underfoot and what’s within.

A small group glides through Kimberley’s rugged coastline by boat, passing ancient cliffs. — Explore with naturalists and historians by your side.

5. Relax in luxurious lodgings

Just because you’re off-grid doesn’t mean you have to rough it. These Kimberley vessels are small in size, but mighty in luxury. True North’s ships come with their own helicopters and a no-sea-days policy, so you’re always in the thick of it. Try the luxurious offerings from Ocean Dream Charters for exploration in style. Kimberley Quest offers a fast boat for easy, off-ship adventures. On the larger end of the scale, Coral Expeditions has open-deck bars and curated wine cellars. And then there’s Ponant’s luxury yachts – sleek and incredibly stylish French sailing yachts.

A helicopter soars above the sea, with a sleek cruise ship gliding in the distance. — See the Kimberley from sky to shore.

6. The adventure continues with pre- and post-cruise experiences

You’ve already come this far – so, why not go further? Broome makes it easy to ease in before you board, or wind down when your voyage ends, and there is no reason to stop there.

Head an hour and a half south to Eco Beach to stay off-grid and off the clock. Join a Yawuru guide for a mangrove walk or ocean forage. Dive even deeper into Broome’s pearling past at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay, where divers and craftspeople still pull the seawater-slicked gems from the deep.

If you’re still craving adventure, it’s time to go further. Soar over the Buccaneer Archipelago, or detour inland with a 4WD trip along the Gibb River Road. Book a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles. Or – because you never know when you’ll be back – do all three.

aerial of people walking on eco beach in the kimberley western australia — Stay off grid at Eco Beach. (Image: Tourism WA)

Find out more about your trip to Australia’s North West at australiasnorthwest.com .

Wild swimming: the travel trend making a splash in Australia