Rainbow Falls (Gudda Gumoo) is a spectacular and deep waterhole in Blackdown Tableland National Park, which is below a 40m tall waterfall. The waterhole and falls is reached by a 4.8km return walk.
The longest beach in Wilson’s Promontory, Darby Beach is subject to strong currents and surf and is not great for swimming. It is a picturesque beach reached via a short bushwalking track.
Fishermans Beach is the main beach on Great Keppel Island: the ferry services arrive here, and it’s next to the island’s two resorts. Despite being fairly busy, it is still a very picturesque and inviting beach.
A beautiful beach on Great Keppel Island, Putney Beach is a short stroll from the ferry disembarkation point, It’s ideal for swimming, paddeboarding and canoeing.
Leekes Beach is the longest beach on Great Keppel and arguably the most picturesque… a couple of bushwalking trails provide access to the secluded beach.
A very sheltered beach on Great Keppel Island, Shelving Beach is popular for snorkelling and swimming. It’s reached by a short boat ride or bushwalk from Fishermans Beach.
Monkey Beach is a popular for snorkelling on Great Keppel Island, with the Great Barrier Reef easily accessible from the beach. The bach has very high and varied coral cover.
Like the equally remote Burning Palms Beach, South Era Beach has a Surf Life Savng Club and is patrolled on weekends. It’s surrounded by Depression-era shacks.
North Era Beach is a fairly picturesque beach, but care is needed if swimming due to permanent rips. The only campground along the Coast Track is located here.
Wattamolla Beach has both a protected ocean beach and a sheltered lagoon, as well as picnic facilities and gas BBQs. This makes it a very popular family-friendly destination in the Royal National Park.
One of the largest beaches in Royal National Park, Marley Beach is also one of the most dangerous for swimming due to permanent rips. Behind the beach is an extensive system of sand dunes and a lagoon.
A relatively small beach, Little Marley Beach is protected by a low sandstone head and reef but still has a permanent rip. It’s suitable for surfing, fishing and swimming (with care).
Olympic Pool is a secluded and spectacular swimming hole on Kangaroo Creek in the Royal National park (downstream of Karloo Pool).
Karloo Pool is a pristine and beautiful deep swimming hole along Kangaroo Creek in the Royal National park. It is most easily accessed by a bushwalk from Heathcote station.
The Figure 8 Pool has become one of the most popular attractions and Instagram spots in the Royal National Park. The natural pool can be reached via three bushwalking routes.
Offering some of the best surf around Sydney and patrolled swimming on weekend, Garie Beach in the Royal Natonal Park is easily by car or bushwalking trails.
One of the more remote beaches in the Royal National Park, Werrong Beach is reached via a steep trail down from Otford. An official nudist beach, it’s not great for swimming.
The pristine and photogenic Pearly Ponds swimming hole (in Pearl Beach) is reached by a 30min walk along a rough bush track.
Rocky Ponfd is a series of pristine, natural waterholes along Trank Creek in Brisbane Water National Park
A beautiful and secluded natural swimming holes and waterfall, located in Brisbane Water National Park along the Rocky Ponds Trail.
The Trough Waterfall (or Secret Woy Woy Waterfall Pool) is now a popular Central Coast Instagram spot. The waterfall and infinity pool are well worth a visit, but try and avoid peak times.
Wajinya Falls is located on the Box Forest Circuit (and also on the West Canungra Creek Circuit) in Lamington National Park.
Located on the Box Forest Circuit (and also on the West Canungra Creek Circuit) in Lamington National Park, Nugurun Falls (or Nugurin Falls) is a wide and picturesque cascade.
Located on the Box Forest Circuit (and also on the West Canungra Creek Circuit) in Lamington National Park, Bunyip Falls plunges into a deep pool.
Wongaree Falls is one of two adjacent waterfalls along the West Canungra Creek Circuit bushwalk. The creek plunges through a chute into small pool.
Goondaree Falls is one of two adjacent waterfalls along the West Canungra Creek Circuit bushwalk. The wide and picturesque waterfall drops into a wide pool.
Not the easiest swimming hole to reach, the secluded Yerralahla Pool (Blue Pool) is surrounded by tall rainforest.
Reached by an 8km (return) bushwalk, the picturesque Big Mowbray Falls is quite secluded. Above the waterfall is a shallow swimming hole and some small cascades.
The Mossman Gorge Swimming Hole is a popular spot along the Mossman River. It’s reached by a 400m walk along a paved track from the shuttle bus stop.
One of the more remote waterfalls in the Royal National Park, Anice Falls is quite picturesque – but can only be easily viewed from above.
Winifred Falls is a relatively easy to reach and picturesque waterfall and swimming hole in the Royal National Park.
Collins Flat Beach is a sheltered harbour beach between between North Head and Little Manly Cove. It can only be reached via foot, via a couple of walking tracks.
An isolated beach in the Glenrock State Conservation Area to the south of Newcastle, Dudley Beach was named as one of the “Top 20 Beaches in Australia” by Tourism Australia in 2022
Located in the Glenrock State Conservation Area, Burwood Beach (or Glenrock Beach) can be reached via a number of walking tracks. Behind the beach is Glenrock Lagoon, which offers a safer swimming spot.
The heritage-listed Bogey Hole in Newcastle is Australia’s oldest sea baths, carved out of the sandstone by convicts in 1819 as a private pool for Major James Morisset.
A hidden waterfall reached by an unmarked track from the Crystal Cascades carpark, Fairy Falls is a picturesque cascade and a secluded swimming hole.
About an hour from Cairns, the Emerald Creek Falls offers both an impressive lookout over the Upper Falls, and some spectacular swimming holes at the Lower Falls.
A popular destination from Cairns, Babinda Boulders offers a number of spectacular swimming holes. A short walk to Devils Pool gives you good view of the cascades and rock formations along Babinda Creek.
A series of picturesque cascades and beautiful swimming holes, the popular Josephine Falls is reached by a paved walking track (1.4km return)
A powerful and impressive waterfall in Wooroonooran National Park, Nandroya Falls plunges 50m into a rainforest-fringed swimming hole.
Reached by a short but steep paved trail, Ellinjaa Falls is a picturesque waterfall that drops 15m into a shallow pool.
One of the most spectacular and most-visited waterfalls around Cairns, Millaa Millaa Falls is surrounded by rainforest and has a beautiful swimming hole at the the base.
Malanda Falls (Tutamonlin) is a wide waterfall with a popular man-made swimming pool beneath the falls. Located just over an hour south of Cairns, it’s very easy to get to.
Davies Creek Falls is a picturesque waterfall in the Dinden National Park, about an hour from Cairns, Above the falls is a spectacular infinity pool or waterhole, perched above a sheer cliff.
Clover Falls is a spectacular waterfall and beautiful swimming hole along the Macquarie Rivulet. It’s reached by the relatively challenging Clover Hill Trail.
Mulangong Falls is formed by the Macquarie Rivulet cascading over multiple tiers into a small pool and swimming hole.
Burning Palms Beach is one of the many popular Royal National Park beaches. It can only be accessed on foot, via a few different bushwalking trails.
The Basin Campground at West Head has beaches on both a Pittwater beach and a a lagoon, both of which are very sheltered. Access is via ferry or a firetrail from West Head Road.
A family-friendly beach with very calm water, Great Mackerel Beach can be reached by ferry (from Palm Beach) or via a couple of bushwalking tracks.
Hungry Beach is a picturesque West Head beach, which can be reached by boat or via a couple of informal walking routes.
A challenging beach to reach on foot, Flannel Flower Beach is a narrow sliver of sand, best visited at low tide.
One of the most picturesque West Head beaches, the sheltered Resolute Beach is reached by a walking track from either West Head Lookout or the Resolute Picnic Area.
The easiest beach to get to by foot at West Head, the sheltered West Head Beach faces Pittwater. and is opposite the Barrenjoey Peninsula. It’s a nice spot for a swim.
The small but impressive Coachwood Falls is along the Rosewood Creek Track in Dorrigo National Park. There’s a shallow pool at the top, and a deeper swimming hole at the base of the falls.
The highest waterfall in Dorrigo National Park (58m), Red Cedar Falls is reached by a fairly challenging 6.2km return bushwalk.
The lesser-visited brother (or sister) of Flint and Steel Beach, Flint and Steel Bay is initially accessed via the same bushwalking track. But the track which branches off to the bay is a bit overgrown and rougher, and gets a lot less traffic. The bay is not as picturesque as
Flint and Steel Beach is a sheltered and usually quiet beach at West Head. It’s reaced by a 1km bushwalking track.
A picturesque waterfall in a rainforest setting along the Mobong Walking Track, the Mobong Creek Cascade is also a nice and secluded swimming hole.
Mobong Creek Waterhole is a tranquil and shaded swimming hole along Mobong Creek, right next to Moses Rock Road.
A very short walk from Sir Bertram Stevens Drive, Flat Rock Creek is a secluded and shaded natural swimming hole in the Royal National Park.
Located on Sydney’s northern beaches, Turimetta Beach is an unpatrolled surf beach. It’s generally pretty quiet, but swimming can be hazardous due to strong rips.
Refuge Bay has both a sheltered and protected beach, and a stunning cliff-top waterhole above the beach. It’s most easily reached by boat, but can also be accessed on foot via an informal bushwalking track.
Tabourie Beach is a long surf beach at the northern end of Meroo National Park on the NSW south coast.
Stokes Island Beach is small surf beach in Meroo National Park on the NSW south coast. Above the beach is a picnic area and campground.
Termeil Beach is a very long beach in Meroo National Park on the NSW south coast. Two popular campsites are located nearby.
Honeysuckle Beach is a dark sand and cobble beach in Murramarang National Park on the NSW south coast.
Richmond Beach is a picturesque and isolated beach in Murramarang National Park on the NSW south coast. It’s easily reached via a very short walking track
Myrtle Beach is a picturesque, clothing-optional beach in Murramarang National Park on the NSW south coast. It’s reached via two bushwalking tracks, just south of South Durras.
Dark Beach is split by a rock outcrop into two bays: one has white sand, and the other black sand and pebbles. The secluded beach is south of Durras in Murramarang National Park on the NSW south coast.
Emily Beach is a picturesque, secluded beach between South Durras and North Head in Murramarang National Park on the NSW south coast. A rock outcrop splits the beach into two.
Little Pebbles Beach or North Pebbles (formally called Burns Bay) is a secluded cobble beach in Murramarang National Park on the south coast.
A beautiful and fairly sheltered beach in Bawley Point, on the NSW south coast. A restored jetty on Bawley Beach is a popular post for kids to jump into the ocean.
Gannet Beach is a small beach in Bawley Point, on the NSW south coast ideal for swiming, snorkelling and surfing.
Cormorant Beach is small and sheltered dog-friendly beach in Bawley Point, on the NSW south coast.
Bull Pup Beach is a beautiful and fairly isolated beach in the Murramarang Aboriginal Area on the NSW south coast.
Cat and Kitten Beach is a small and fairly isolated beach in the Murramarang Aboriginal Area on the NSW south coast.
A fairly long beach near Bawley Point, Murramarang Beach on the NSW South Coast is good for swimming – but be aware of stong rips.
Racecourse Beach is just south of the Murramarang Aboriginal Area on the NSW South Coast. It’s a fairly quiet swimming and surfing beach.
Snake Bay South is a remote, sheltered bay in the Shoalhaven. It’s reached by foot (or by boat in low swell).
Snake Bay is a remote beach in the Shoalhaven, with a 60m long sand and cobble beach. It’s reached by foot (or by boat in low swell).
Dawson Island Beach is one of the most remote beaches in the Shoalhaven. It’s reached by foot (or by boat in low seas) and is a great beach for swimming.
Island Beach is quiet and pristine surf beach in Murramarang National Park, which is only accessible via a short walk.
Pretty Beach is a picturesque surf beach in Murramarang National Park, about 3.5 hours south of Sydney. It has a campground and cabins, and some basic facilities.
Along Freshwater Creek near Cairns is a series of swimming holes and cascades. The furthest waterhole along the 1.5km track has a pair of picturesque waterfalls.
Saut du Day (or Cascade du Day) is a waterfall on the River L’Orbe near Vallorbe, which is accessed by a short hiking trail.
Pencil Pine Falls is a small waterfall along Pencil Pine Creek, a short walk from the Cradle Mountain Lodge.
Edith Falls (Leliyn) are a series of cascades in Nitmiluk National Park. They are popular in summer, with an upper and lower swimming hole below the waterfalls.
Mooney Falls is the highest waterfall along Havasu Creek in the Havasu Canyon. It’s a stunning waterfall that drops 65m into a large pool.
Havasu Falls (also called Havasupai Falls) is the most popular waterfall along Havasu Creek in the Havasu Canyon. The turquoise water drops about 30m into a swimming hole.
Navajo Falls is one of the many stunning waterfalls along Havasu Creek in the Havasu Canyon. It’s reached via a long overnight hike into the canyon.
Reached via a “jungle trek” up the river, the Pisang Falls (or Sungai Pisang waterfall) is an impressive waterfall that plunges into a natural swimming hole.
Girrakool Waterfall in Brisbane Water National Park (near Gosford) is a beautiful waterfall, which drops into a natural pool surrounded by bush.
The popular Mullet Creek Falls (or Irrawong Waterfall) is a small but very photogenic waterfall. Mullet Creek drops off a wide ledge into a large pool and swimming hole.
A series of smaller cascades, culminating in the tallest waterfall with a drop of about 35m. A walking trail (entry fee applies) follows the Mele Cascades up to the top falls.
Located on the Willlams River in the Barrington Tops National Park, Rocky Crossing Cascades is a series of stunning waterfalls and waterholes.
The small Minerva Pool Waterfall (which doesn’t officially have a name) is formed by Stokes Creek cascading into the tranquil Minerva Pool.
The Jingga Pool Waterfall (which don’t officially have a name) is formed by O’Hares Creek plunging into the beautiful Jingga Pool.
A wide, horseshoe shaped waterfall, Haruru Falls is formed by the Waitangi River dropping into a wide lagoon.
The Okere Falls is located along the Kaituna River, with easy access to a viewing platform, and the Okere Falls Jump for brave swimmers!
Dangar Falls near Dorrigo is a popular waterfall, with a viewing area at the top of the waterfall and a trail to the pool at the bottom where you can swim.
The Ba Ho River near Nha Trang descends over three tiers, forming three waterfalls and natural swimming holes called the Ba Ho Waterfalls.
Minyon Falls is formed by Repentance Creek plunging 100m down a cliff in the Nightcap National Park. Easy walk to the top, and longer walk to natural swimming hole at base of falls.
A small cascade along the Allt Daraich on the Isle of Skye; this small stream flows into the River Sligachan.
The Liffey Falls consist of four waterfalls along the Liffey River; the largest and most picturesque of these is Victoria Falls.
A very small cascade, the Boarding House Dam waterfall is just below the dam.
Mulligan Falls is a picturesque waterfall with a deep swimming hole on Hinchinbrook Island. It’s accessed by the multi-day Thorsborne Trail, or by boat with a 2.5km walk from the beach.
Accessed by the multi-day Thorsborne Trail or by boat, Zoe Falls is a picturesque cascade and swimming hole on Hinchinbrook Island.
Medang Falls (Lata Medang) is a picturesque waterfall with a deep swimming hole, reached by a 3-4 hour jungle trek.
Lovetts Pool is a beautiful natural waterhole; a small waterfall drops into the natural pool. It’s near the Elvina Track (at West Head).
The Piles Creek Cascades is set of cascades formed by Piles Creek flowing over a wide rock platfom
The “secret” Upper Gledhill Falls is a picturesque waterfall and swimming hole, only metres from McCarrs Creek Road at West Head.
Kariong Brook Falls is a beautiful multi-tiered waterfall in Brisbane Water National Park. It plunges into a deep pool and swimming hole.
Tawhai Falls, a filming location in the Lord of the Rings, is reached via a short walk.
Seven Wells Waterfall (Telaga Tujuh) is the most popular waterfall in Langkawi. It has a swimming hole at the bottom, and multiple pools at the top of the falls.
The Cascades is more of a waterhole than a waterfall, but does have a number of small cascades. Continue down Middle Harbour Creek after rain for the best cascades.
Emerald Pool Falls is a small cascade above Emerald Pool in Popran National Park.