{"id":3539,"date":"2020-11-15T00:01:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-14T13:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterthemission.com\/sydney\/?p=3539"},"modified":"2024-05-24T18:22:23","modified_gmt":"2024-05-24T08:22:23","slug":"swap-beaches-for-rivers-and-waterholes-this-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enterthemission.com\/sydney\/swap-beaches-for-rivers-and-waterholes-this-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Swap beaches for these rivers and waterholes near Sydney this summer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Beat the beach crowds while you cool off during the Summer months.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
As summer looms, people are going to start making a beeline for Sydney beaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which is perfect…if you\u2019re looking for sand, surf, sun…and crowds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If however, you\u2019re looking for something different\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\tGif courtesy giphy.\n\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n
…amazing naturally formed pools, refreshingly chilly turquoise waters, and opportunities for everything from swimming to hiking\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
…then you should ditch the beach, and go for swimming holes and rivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s the top 10 swimming pools and rivers near Sydney where you can beat the summer heat and the beach crowds:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Located in:<\/i><\/b> Blue Mountains National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\tWhy do they call it the \u2018Jellybean\u2019 Pool?\n\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Well, the jury\u2019s still out on that question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Some say it\u2019s to reflect the actual shape of the pool.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Others say it\u2019s aimed at its target clientele – children.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Whichever it is, this swimming hole located in Glenbrook Creek, is a huge draw for children and their parents alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the best things about this pool is that it\u2019s got a rocky area that adults can explore, and a little sandy beach right opposite where children will have a jolly good time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\tTwo precautions to take at Jellybean Pool\n\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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There\u2019s a section of the pool that\u2019s shallow, and safe for children. But the water gains depth elsewhere. You should always accompany young children in the pool.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
The water in front of the rock platform may not be very deep. Do NOT jump off the rocks into the pool; you might hurt yourself.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How to reach it:<\/i><\/b> Enter Blue Mountain National Park through the Glenbrook entrance (accessible from the Great Western Highway via Ross Street and Bruce Road) and follow the Jellybean Track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Located in:<\/i><\/b> Dharawal National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re up for a bit of a trek, Jingga Pool might be just what you\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A refreshing freshwater swim with stunning views of Aussie bushland is the reward you deserve after a 2km long demanding trek along the Jingga Track, through swamps, forests and waterfalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\tThings to look out for at Jingga Pool\n\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The water is deep, so you CAN jump into the pool from some of the sandstone rock formations around it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It would be advisable to do so when the water\u2019s clear and you can check what the pool floor looks like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\tA long nosed potoroo. Image courtesy australiangeographic.com.au\/.\n\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you visit, try to catch a glimpse of potoroos, the local marsupials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\tMinerva Pool. Image courtesy nationalparks.nsw.gov.au.\n\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A little further on lies Minerva Pool, another swimming hole which at times can be quieter than Jingga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One little catch is that this pool is regarded as a sacred women\u2019s place<\/b> by the Dharawal people, after whom the national park is named.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, if you want to respect their traditions, only the women among your group should swim here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to reach it:<\/i><\/b> Enter the national park from Victoria Road, and go left till you reach the Jingga Track (it\u2019s marked by a signpost). Follow the track till you reach the pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Located in:<\/i><\/b> Budderoo National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re up for a bit of chill and swim this bushland swimming hole in Budderoo National Park, near the village of Robertson, is your ideal destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Literally…the water in this swimming pool is pleasantly cool<\/b> during summer<\/b> months, and somewhat chilly in winter<\/b>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\tThe Devils Hole\n\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Devils Hole camping ground is one of Australia\u2019s highest camping grounds. And it\u2019s within walking distance of Nellies Glen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\tNellies Glen for kids\n\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The glen has a shallow side, which makes it good for kids.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
They\u2019ll also like exploring the various kinds of ferns, fungi, and orchids that can be found all around the glen.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How to reach it:<\/i><\/b> From Robertson, Jamberoo Mountain Road will take you to Cloonty Road, and in a while you should be at Nellies Glen picnic area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Located in:<\/i><\/b> Blue Mountains National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along its course from Robertson to Yarramundi, the Nepean River takes on a variety of forms, from a serenely flowing sheet of water to gushing rapids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You have a whole range of activities, like<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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a refreshing swim,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
to fishing for bass, carp, eels and perch,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
to even kayaking,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
That will make your day at Nepean River well spent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\tBeating the summer heat at Nepean River\n\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s you can beat the summer heat at Nepean River:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Start off along the Nepean River Walk, which starts near Glenbrook, at the Euroka campground.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Trek through rainforest till you arrive at Fairlight Gorge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s the best spot for a long swim and a hearty lunch (and you\u2019ll need a hearty lunch after your trek).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How to reach it:<\/i><\/b> The Great Western Highway will take you to Glenbrook. Then, take Ross Street and Burfitt Street\/Bruce Road till you reach the national park gate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Located in:<\/i><\/b> Royal National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re looking for a bit of a thrill, and social media glory, you should head for the Figure 8 swimming pools near Sydney.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Described both as a dangerous rock shelf<\/b> and a social media hotspot<\/b>, it\u2019s one of the most popular swimming spots near Sydney at any time of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\tWhat are the Figure 8 pools?\n\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
These natural swimming pools were formed by are a number of sinkholes on a rock shelf near Burning Palms Beach in Royal National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of them is shaped like the number 8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\tHow was the Figure 8 pool formed?\n\t<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Two sinkholes merged, creating the appearance of the number 8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\tWhile visiting the Figure 8 pools, you should\u2026\n\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Keep an eye on the tides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Insta-crazy adventurers have been injured (and in some cases, killed) from sudden waves lashing down from the ocean at high tide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n