In summer, there are two Sydneys: the beach and harbourside neighbourhoods that benefit from cooler temperatures and proximity to water, and the baking, inland western suburbs. The west might not have beaches, but it offers plenty of nature’s swimming pools: lakes, rivers, creeks and water holes. Go west for wild swimming at some of these spots.

Lake Parramatta, Lake Parramatta Reserve, North Parramatta

This shady swimming spot was reopened in 2015 to revitalise Lake Parramatta, so a lot of effort has gone into making it accessible; there is a lifeguard on duty every day from late November until the end of January, lots of parking, toilets, picnic tables, a kiosk and a roped-off swimming area separating the kids from the canoeists. Less safety-conscious is the jumping from the rocks across from the riverbank, but that’s part of the experience. Pair a dip with a walk or ride on one of the reserve’s trails.

28 Bourke Street, North Parramatta. Entry via Lackey Street.

7 minutes from Parramatta. 36 minutes from Sydney

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Jellybean Pool and Blue Pool, Glenbrook

Glenbrook offers a two-for-one deal on swimming holes. Jellybean Pool and Blue Pool are near the city-side entrance to the Blue Mountains National Park and are (approximately) 15 minutes’ walk from each other (you can also drive between them).

Jellybean Pool is surrounded by the walls of the Glenbrook Gorge and there are large rocks for perching, around its edges, with overhangs providing shade. There is also a substantial sand bank that gives this spot a bush-beach quality and space for lounging. The spot is popular with families, so hardly solitary, but still feels enclosed and private. There are also rocks to climb, but jumping from them into the blue-green is probably not safe. You can park in the main car park on Bruce Road and walk down the slope to the pool (15 minutes) or you can drive into the national park and find a spot at the Jellybean Pool car park, which is closer (10 minutes’ walk).

Blue Pool is down a set of steep stairs from a small, gravelly car park (if you choose not to walk down from the main car park on Bruce Road) and along a short and verdant track (10 minutes’ walk). Fewer people tend to visit this one and the rocks at the pool’s edge (while slippery) offer easy, natural access to the water.

Bruce Road, Blue Mountains National Park. Off Great Western Highway at Ross Street. $8 national-park entry fee per car.

40 minutes from Parramatta. 1 hour, 5 minutes from Sydney.

There was a death at Jellybean Pool in 2020. Always be cautious and obey safety signs and instructions.

Kentlyn Basin, Keith Longhurst Reserve, Kentlyn

Not far east of Campbelltown, the Keith Longhurst Reserve is bisected by the Georges River (which flows through the southern and south-western suburbs of Sydney and into Botany Bay). The swimming spot there, known to locals as The Basin, is along The Basin Walking Track (two kilometres return, moderate difficulty). The swimming hole has stone banks and a small waterfall and is easy to access. Parking is available at the start of the walking track.

Georges River Nature Reserve, Georges River Road, Kentlyn

1 hour from Parramatta. 1 hour, 10 minutes from Sydney.

There have been deaths from cliff jumping at the Basin in recent years including in February, 2024. Always be cautious and obey safety signs and instructions.

Bents Basin, Bents Basin State Conservation Area, Greendale

This spot is near Camden and Penrith. As well as a large area for swimming, Bents Basin offers a picnic area, nearby parking and a campground if you’re planning a longer visit. Also part of the conservation area is Caleys lookout track (1.2 kilometres return), which starts at the back of the picnic area and goes up to a view over the tops of the eucalypts to the basin.

There’s no beach around the pool but there are big rocks at the water’s edge. On the far side of the basin there’s a four-metre rock face for dive-bombing.

Bents Basin Camping, 525 Wolstenholme Avenue, Greendale. Access from Bents Basin Picnic Area or the Bents Basin Campground. $8 entry fee per car, per day.

50 minutes from Parramatta. 1 hour, 10 minutes from Sydney.

Update: the Bents Basin Road Gate access into the Bents Basin Picnic Area is currently closed due to maintenance. The Bents Basin Road Picnic Area is open and may be accessed on foot from the Durawi Picnic Area via Wolstenholme Ave Greendale.

Minerva Pool, Dharawal National Park

The Dharawal National Park south of Campbelltown offers a number of walks, but the one leading to Minerva Pool is the 10T Management Trail (2.4 kilometres return) in the north-western corner of the national park. It is fed by a creek and has a small waterfall.

There is a viewing platform above the pool with a picnic table and chairs. And a rock island in the middle for your best mermaid/merman impersonations.

Access Minerva Pools from Dharawal National Park’s north-west entry off Victoria Road.

1 hour from Parramatta. 1 hour, 10 minutes from Sydney.

Honourable mention

Raging Waters Sydney, Prospect

The other kind of wild swimming offered in the west is at Raging Waters. One-day general admission is $54.99. Kids $44.99. Passes and packs are available, too.

427 Reservoir Road, Prospect

17 minutes from Parramatta. 45 minutes from Sydney.

This article was originally published on February 16, 2017. It has been updated to reflect new information and remove out-of-date details.