Ready to cool off? Sydney s beaches may be world famous but they are not the only place to take the plunge. Try one of these inland swims and experience a fresh way to get wet. From sandy river beaches to bush-shaded waterholes and soaring sandstone gorges, these freshwater favourites offer a deliciously different way to get in the swim.
LAP IT UP: KARLOO POOLS
From Wattamolla to Burning Palms, the Royal National Park is known for its beaches, but those aren t its only inviting swim spots. We love the pretty Karloo Pools for several reasons, not least the fact that you don t need a car to get here. Take the train to Heathcote Station where you can join the Karloo Walking Track– the turn-off to the pools is about halfway along the track, four kilometres or so from the station. Surrounded by rock ledges and fed by a gently-trickling stream, the clear green water is amazingly inviting. The largest pool is big enough to do a few laps in.