Sydney's Top 10 Outdoor Swimming Pools
- Fi
- Jul 12, 2017
- 4 min read
With beaches, bays, rock pools and the harbour, Sydney is a water lovers wet-dream! I’ve learnt the hard way that you should always have your bikini at the ready here. Whether you’re out for a walk, having lunch with friends in a new part of town or just sweltering on your lunch break, you’re never too far from a beautiful swimming spot.
Most of us have our local and favourite spots but if you fancy a bit of a change here are my Top 10 outdoor swimming pools in Sydney. Give them a go!
MacCallum Pool
Price: Free
Opening times: 24 hour
Location: Cremorne Point
Originally a rockpool created by locals, MacCallum pool was restored in the 80’s with a wooden decking surrounding it to keep in with the heritage feel. This is the more popular of the harbourside pools for both swimmers and sunbathers alike.
Mahon pool
Price: Free
Opening times: 24 hour
Location: Maroubra
Located between Maroubra beach and the cliffs, Mahon pool is a well sized rock pool where you can enjoy either lap swimming or relaxing while the waves wash over the rocks beside you. In Summer its very popular with families wanting to cool off away from the waves at Maroubra. There are no specific amenities for the pool but there is a toilet block just up the hill halfway towards the car park on Marine Parade.
Murray Rose pool (Redleaf)
Price: Free
Opening times: 24 hours
Location: Double Bay
This large tidal enclosure in Double Bay offers safe swimming within the harbour. The semicircular deck is a popular hangout. Kids and big kids alike can be found jumping and diving in from the deck on the weekends. The quiet beach offers a relaxing respite to dry off after or between swims.
Mcivers Baths (Ladies only)
Price: Gold coin donation
Opening times: Sunrise to sunset
Location: Coogee
As a Coogee resident this is one of my favourite spots to swim. Built in 1886, Mciver Baths is perched beautifully between the cliffs and the ocean with views out to Wedding Cake island and beyond. This ladies only rock pool is in an idyllic setting and offers you a bit more privacy than some of the rock pools beside the beaches. It can be difficult however to swim laps as its one of the smaller rock pools and in Summer is popular with those wishing to cool off and float around. There’s ample space on the surrounding rocks and grass to relax and dry off after your swim as well as an amenities block and change room.
Wylies Baths
Price: $5 Adults, $2.40 Children and concessions
Opening times: 7am - 7pm (Oct - Apr), 7am - 5pm (Apr - Sep)
Location: Coogee
The more spacious of the various Coogee rock pools, Wylies is a 40 yard pool and the space and general etiquette of visitors means it lends itself well to both lap swimmers and casual swimmers. The amenities include a change room, showers and a cafe making it a nice place to spend a bit more time to relax and take in the 180 degree views out over the Pacific.
Bondi Icebergs
Price: Adult: $6.50, Children; $4.50 (includes sauna access)
Opening times: 6 am - 6.30 pm weekdays, 6.30 - 6.30 weekends, closed Thursdays
Location: Bondi Beach
Probably the most iconic pool in Australia, Bondi Icebergs is a great place for a good swim workout. Formalised lanes makes this one of the best beachside pools for lap swimming. There are great facilities and you’ll often find a yoga by the sea session on when you go. The only downside is it’s right on the tourist trail so it’s not uncommon to have people taking photos while you're swimming or relaxing beside the pool.
Freshwater Rockpool
Price: Free
Opening times: 24 hours
Location: Freshwater
The first ocean pool of the North Shore, Freshwater Rock Pool is probably the hidden gem on this list. Excavated from the rocks on the North side of Freshwater Beach, the pool is protected by the cliffs and catches the sun so in Summer its a lovely temperature. This 50 metre olympic pool has lane markings on the bottom and tends not to get too busy so is perfect for lap swimming.
North Sydney Olympic pool
Price: $8 adult, $4 child
Opening times: 5.30 am - 9 pm weekdays, 7am - 7 pm weekends
Location: Milsons Point
Undoubtedly the best outdoor pool in Sydney for avid lap swimmers, Olympic pool boasts 9 lanes, an indoor pool, children pool and gym as well as good changing and showering facilities. A popular spot for pre and post work workouts and lunch time laps, you can enjoy an uninterrupted swim here with the backdrop of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Andrew (Boy) Charlton
Price: $7.40 adults, $5.60 concessions
Opening times: Reopens 1st September
Location: Wooloomooloo
Named after the Aussie swimmer who broke a world record here at just 16 years old, the “ABC” is a popular spot for both swimming and socialising. This heated pool is perfectly perched between the harbours edge and Botanic gardens. In addition to the 8 lane pool there is a training and children's pool, cafe and amenities.
Bronte Baths
Price: Free
Opening times: 24 hours
Location: Bronte
One of the more formalised ocean pools, Bronte has been recently renovated and offers a wooden break between the adult swimming section and the shallower children pool. It’s also a perfect pitstop to cool off half way between the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. There are benches to leave your stuff out of the way of the foot traffic and toilets close by.
Have you got a favourite or recently stumbled across a stunning hidden gem? Tag me on Instagram @WalkThisLand and let me know, i’m always on the hunt for more!
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