Ten natural rock pools North Sydney: unique to Australia

Sydney’s beaches are some of the best in the country. It is easy to overlook the charms of the natural rock pools lying alongside the magnificent stretches of sand and surf. The numerous natural rock pools offer swimmers the chance for ocean swimming in the controlled environment of a pool together with the adrenaline rush of surging waves at high tide. For kids check which pools have shallow paddling pools adjacent to the larger lap pools. Checking the map of North Sydney beaches not included are Bilgola, Avalon, Whale and Palm beach. The sand, surf and rock pools extend to the tip of Barrenjoey Lighthouse.

Manly is tiny. Fairy Bower is between Manly and Shelley beaches with the Sea Nymphs sculpture (Oceanides by artist Helen Leete) on the pool’s edge. Built by local residents in 1929, Fairy Bower is a heritage Sydney pool. The pool is halfway between the coastal walk between Manly and Shelly Beach. There are steps down to the pool with a handrail to assist on the descent. There is a changing room and toilets however showers are located at Manly beach. There are numerous cafes and the art deco buildings of Manly and Shelly beach. The pools are visible from the walkway and do not have the exclusive feel of some of Sydney’s rock pools. No lifeguards

• Free entry

The name recalls the 1920’s with its vintage charm. Freshwater is the first rockpool to be opened on the Northern Sydney beaches. Originally women only as ladies were banned from the male surf clubs. The pool is a constant shallow depth of a metre making it a safe, comfortable place for swimmers of all skill levels.

• Free entry

Queenscliff Rock Pools is Manly Beach’s local favourite for families. Kids get to experience saltwater, a feel for the ocean currents yet it is a safe swimming area. The 50 metre pool’s position, stunning views of the beach and sea adds to the summer holiday vibe. There are widened concrete platforms surrounding the pool and sturdy steel ladders to access the water. The pool facilities are toilets, showers, changing rooms and a kiosk. The location is convenient for the beachside boardwalk to Shelly Beach and the cafe strip of Manly.

• Free entry

A 50 metre pool and toddlers area, with level access to toilets, showers and car parking. It was fully renovated in 2011. The rock pool has a constant flow of seawater due to its location. There is a shallow area of the pool divided by a rock wall providing protection for learner swimmers and toddlers making the rock pool a local family favourite.

• Free entry

At Palm Beach, Sydney’s most northerly stretch of sand, the ocean pool has views up towards the Central Coast, and is overlooked by Barrenjoey Headland and its famous lighthouse. North Curl rock pool is the star of the two with the massive rock in the middle of the pool and the sheer adrenaline delight of wave surges crashing onto the nearby rocky shore. The pool has a swim club, lifeguards, toilets, changing rooms, showers and kiosk.

• Free entry

This is a great day trip during the school holidays as there is a thriving beach culture, cafes and facilities at Dee Why Beaches with this gem reached on the promenade along the beach. Splish splash your way safely among the kids. For a quiet time weekdays mid afternoon is a great place to chill out watching the surfers head down to the beach. Dee Why is a surf beach that plays host to many Northern Beaches Council main events including Australia Day and New Years Eve fireworks. The adjoining Ted Jackson Reserve has a fenced children’s playground and its quirky outdoor table tennis table arena. Lifeguards and disable access.

• Free entry

The Collaroy rock pool has been upgraded and is very good for kids with the bonus of disabled access. The streamlined repurposed shape enhances the sweeping views of Collaroy and Narrebeen. Sand and surf views while soaking in the rock pool make for a great summer day. The separate wading pool introduces toddlers to the ocean and is a local firm favourite. There is a chain fence round the ocean sector of the pool with enough room to be able to walk right around the edge with the adrenaline rush of high tide breaking over the fence and into the pool. Toilets, showers, changing rooms, and lifeguards. Cafes are nearby.

• Free entry

A North Sydney summer meeting point for rock pool swimmers. The distinctive wooden boardwalk separating the lap pool from the shallower kids friendly area makes for a family favourite. Together with the Narrabeen lagoon, natural rock pools around North Narrabeen it is a weekend getaway without leaving town. There is also an ocean pool on the point with the requisite glorious views. Toilets, changing rooms, showers and lifeguards. Several cafes are nearby.

Mona Vale rock pool is situated on the tip of a sand spit near the northern end of Mona Vale Beach. There are spectacular aerial shots of the ocean converging with white foaming waves onto the outer edges of the large pool. The smaller pool for learners is much less likely to experience wave surge. The sense of floating in the ocean is palpable. Apex Park is adjacent to the rock pools providing a range of facilities from BBQ, picnic tables, toilets, cycle trails, playgrounds and nearby cafes. Lifeguards are on duty in the summer weekends.

• Free entry

Newport Beach rock pool is an olympic sized pool where locals swim laps surrounded by the ocean waves. The pool bottom is a natural rock platform. The pool, with the right weather conditions, has a mist rising from the sea. It is very atmospheric and a great photo moment. The uneven rickety rails and barnacles add to the charm. Newport’s rock pool with its numerous shops, cafes and eateries offers rock pool swimmers a perfect excuse for a day trip from central Sydney. At the beach’s southern headland the tidal reefs offer fishing opportunities. Lifeguards on duty.

• Free entry

• Follow water safety advice.
• Pool cleaning roster can change at any time due to unusual weather circumstances or pool conditions.
• Sydney beaches bulletin report Sydney ocean beaches – Beachwatch Daily Bulletins. The Office of Environment and Heritage recommends that you avoid swimming during and at least three days after heavy rain at harbour swimming areas due to the possibility of pollution from stormwater drains. Harbourwatch Information line 1800 036 677, or EPA Pollution Line 131 555.
• Lifeguards on duty, visitors will need to check for up to date information as well lifeguard duties could only cover the more popular weekend period.

TEN NATURAL ROCK POOLS IN NEW SOUTH WALES

• Coledale Rock Pool – Illawarra, NSW 2515
• Coledale Rock Pool is one of my favourite rock pools in the Illawarra. It stands out on a rock platform beyond the cliff edge. irresistible on a sunny day
• Sawtell Memorial pool coffs harbour
• Forster ocean pool
• Yamba ocean pool
• Angourie blue pools
• Black head ocean pool
• Pearl beach rock pool
• Merewether ocean pool newcastle
• Newcastle’s bogey hole
• The entrance ocean pools
• Terrigal rock pool
• Macmasters beach pool
• Mona vale rockpool
• Whale beach rockpool
• Palm beach rock pool
• Avalon rockpool
• Bilgola rockpool
• North cronulla rockpool connected by esplanade to Shelly beach pool
• Oak park rock pool
• Bulli rock pool wollongong
• Bulgo pool
• Coalcliff rock pool
• Wombarra rock pool;
• Colesdale rock pool
• Austinmer rock pool
• Woonona rock pool
• Bellambi rock pool

The journey is worth it.