What’s your poolside persona?
What kind of summer bathing experience are you looking for? Find the summer swim spot that’s right for you with our handy guide. By Maxim Boon
The lido influencer
You’re all about the double taps, the Facetune, and that perfect poolside ’gram. Find your perfect Sydney swim at:
Ivy Pool Club
Channeling the spirit of Palm Springs, the Pool Club is a consummately Insta-ready urban oasis atop hospitality magnate Justin Hemmes’ ultraswish Ivy complex. From this rooftop perch in the heart of the CBD, you can forget all about the traffic, bin chickens and city grime just eight storeys below, while reclining on a lounger in your private cabana by aquamarine waters, cocktail in hand. The Pool Club is also a popular party haunt, so be sure to check out its calendar of events to enjoy the pool after dark. à 320 George St, Sydney 2000. 02 9114 7307. merivale.com/venues/poolclub.
Bondi Icebergs Pool
With its unbeatable seafront location, this 50-metre saltwater pool has become almost as big a tourist draw as the world-famous beach it overlooks. Opened 90 years ago, it is home to the country’s oldest swimming club, which has some pretty severe entry requirements: you’ll only be eligible to become a member after completing no less than 75 swims over a five year period. Fortunately, casual visitors are also welcome to make a splash. à 1 Notts Av, Bondi 2026. 02 9130 4804. icebergs.com.au/swimming-pool. Mon-Wed, Fri 6am-7pm; Sat, Sun 6.30am-7pm. $8.
Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton Pool
The illustrious, 160-year history of this innercity pool makes it a hallowed landmark in the annals of Australian swimming. But in more recent times, it has also become a destination for those seeking social media glory. Its lush surrounds on the shores of Woolloomooloo Bay make a double-tap-worthy backdrop for poolside selfies. However, should you want to get some laps in, a $10 million refurbishment in 2015 has made this eight-lane, Olympic-sized gem a first-rate facility. à 1C Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney 2000. 02 9358 6686. abcpool.org. Daily 6am-8pm. $6.60.
The Ariel wannabe
You’re a child of the ocean, who only feels at home in the salty surf. You’ll find your perfect swim at:
Bronte Baths
Built into the rocky cliffs overlooking Bronte Beach, this shallow sea pool is a great spot for those who like to pepper their swim time with a little casual people watching. A wooden divider demarks a lap-swimming zone in the middle of the pool’s egg-shaped footprint, although the much shorter, sub-Olympic span means the pace here is more suited to relaxed bathers rather than serious swimmers. Bronte Baths are accessible 24-7 and known for being a top spot for night swims. à Bronte Rd, Bronte 2024. Free.
Fairy Bower Pool
This charming pool, nestled between Manly and Shelly Beaches, is a go-to for sunbakers looking to cool off. Its distinctive triangular
shape was excavated in 1929, and for nearly nine decades, its gentle waters and shallow depth have provided the perfect day out for less confident swimmers, as well as families. Watching over pool-goers as they splash away are the ethereal nymphs of sculptor Helen Leete’s ‘The Oceanides’, cast in bronze. à 5B Marine Pde, Manly 2095. Free.
Wylie’s Baths
Of all the ocean pools in Sydney, this 100year-old, heritage-listed marvel is by far the swankiest. You can catch a few rays stretched out on the sun-drenched lido or book in a rub down in the massage room, while the sounds of the sea wash away your stress. Wylie’s is also a popular venue for wedding receptions, prized for its grand boardwalks and coastal views. à 4B Neptune St, Coogee 2034. 02 9665 2838. wylies.com. au. Daily 7am-7pm (check website for early closures). $5.50.
The outback bather
Screw chlorine: a bushbound swimmin’ hole is your kind of plunge (check conditions at nationalparks. nsw.gov.au). You’ll find your perfect swim at:
Karloo Pools
This oasis in the bush of the Royal National Park is one of the best natural swimming spots near Sydney. A reasonably short hike (roughly three kilometres) from Heathcote train station, these rock pools – the largest reaching 20m in length – are flanked by flat, rocky outcrops, ideal for a lazy arvo of sun worshiping between dips. The nearest facilities are at Heathcote, so make sure to pack provisions if you’re planning to make a day of it. à Royal National Park 2232.
Jellybean Pool
A sharp meander in Glenbrook Creek has created a beautiful swimming spot where the flow of the water is gentle and the surrounding gum trees create ample shade. Just half an hour’s walk from the Glenbrook Trail Visitor Centre, where there’s access to toilets and drinking water, this is an easily reached swimming hole near the city, with the trail’s easy terrain remaining passable in all weather conditions. à Blue Mountains National Park 2787.
Upper Gledhill Falls
Cascading into a natural amphitheatre, the 10m-wide pool at the base of this bush falls is as tranquil a swimming spot as you’ll find despite being relatively close to a busy road. Unlike other falls that require a trek to reach, Upper Gledhill is an easy drive, less than 30km from the city centre. If you want to explore more of the area, make the five-kilometre hike to Church Point Wharf and ride the ferry to
Palm Beach. à Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park 2084.
The next Thorpedo
You’re in it to win it, so if it’s not Olympic-sized, it’s not happening. You’ll find your perfect swim at:
Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre
This world-class pool and fitness centre boasts seriously schmick facilities. Its cresting-wave roof shelters a heated, 50-metre, eight-lane pool, as well as a gym, sauna and exercise studios. à 458 Harris St, Ultimo 2007. 02 9518 7220. itac.org.au. Mon-Fri 6am-9pm; Sat, Sun 6am-8pm. $7.80.
North Sydney Olympic Pool
There’s more to this place than photogenic views: world records were set here by Aussie swim stars such as Shane Gould. Facilities also include a fully kitted out gym, sauna, spa, an indoor 25-metre pool, and a café (where yes, you can take some selfies, if you must). à 4 Alfred St South, Milsons Point 2061. 02 9955 2309. northsyndey.nsw. gov.au. Mon-Fri 5:30am-9pm; Sat, Sun 7am-7pm. $2.70-$8.50.
Olympic Park Aquatic Centre
Although built in 1992, this pool really made its mark on Sydney’s swimming psyche during the Sydney 2000 Olympics, when Ian Thorpe took out three gold and two silver medals, with the rest of the Australian swimming team picking up 39 more. There are three lap pools to choose from here, but also fun play areas for younger swimmers. à Olympic Blvd, Sydney Olympic Park 2127. 02 9714 7500. aquaticcentre.com.au. Mon-Fri 5am-8pm; Sat, Sun 6am-8pm. $4.50-$8.30.
The gentle dipper
A lazy paddle in calmer waters is your idea of a dreamy summer’s day. You’ll find your perfect swim at:
Balmoral Beach
Balmoral is one of the inner harbour’s largest beaches, and one of its most serene. There’s a netted enclosure for swimmers, ideal for some not-too-strenuous open water laps. It’s also an excellent stretch for stand-up paddleboarding, and with its pleasant esplanade, dotted with eateries and cafés, you can easily while away the day here. à Balmoral Beach, Mosman 2088. Free.
Maccallum Pool
You’ll find this salty, 33-metre harbourside pool, shaded by leafy flowering gums, on the water’s edge with the epic Sydney skyline in the distance. The pool is open 24 hours, but is emptied and cleaned once a week, so check the schedule to avoid disappointment. à Milson Rd, Cremorne Point 2090. Free.
Watsons Bay Baths
Since its multi-million dollar refurbishment in 2010, this 1905 tidal enclosure has really come into its own, and now has Olympic-sized lap lanes. Once you’ve taken a dip, you can dry off on the sunbathing pontoon or grab a snack from the Tea Garden kiosk. The baths are open 24 hours and offer particularly breathtaking views of the harbour at sunset and dawn. ■ Marine Pde, Watsons Bay 2030. Free.