Page 29 - Bike City Visitors Guide

By Merryn Porter
any people have only ever
Mdreamed of taking a dip in a
natural pool or waterhole.
But here in the Illawarra and its
surrounds, there is no reason why
that dream cannot become a reality,
with at least a dozen places where
you can do just that - and safely.
Whether you are looking to get
back to nature or you are in town for
the 2022 UCI Road World
Championships, why not pay a visit
to one of these waterholes. Don’t A waterfall flows into Nellies Glen waterhole in Budderoo National Park.
forget to pack your cossies. Photo: NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service/Michael Van Ewijk
Blue Pool
Blue Pool is located in Budderoo You should only visit during low
National Park, and according to tide and stop at the rock shelf to
Bushwalk the Gong, is easily check wave conditions before
accessible by using Jamberoo continuing to the pools.
Mountain Road at the Carrington
Falls turnoff from Robertson. Minerva Pool
To access the pool, you can park Minerva Pool is found at the end of
and start your walk from either Blue the walking track of the same name
Pool or Nellies Glen. in Dharawal National Park, just
north of the Illawarra. The pristine
Nellies Glen waterhole has sandstone features The famous Figure Eight Pools.
Photo: NSW National Parks &
About 140 metres downstream from and a small stone island. Wildlife Service/Claire Competiello
Blue Pool is Nellies Glen. You can Minerva Pool is a sacred women’s
approach it via the creek, which is a place. As such, the Tharawal Local Pool is a 60-metre long pool that is
lovely way to see it from above and Aboriginal Land Council asks that accessed via a largely unknown
gaze into the crystal clear waters. visitors respect the cultural track near Karloo Pools.
According to Bushwalk the Gong, importance of the site and only Alan Podmore, founder of Sydney
it’s only a shallow pool so it’s not women and children can enter the Wild Swimming Adventures,
suitable for jumping into. pristine waters. previously said the pool was very deep
and had amazing colours that shine
Karloo Pools Jingga walking track pool from the abalone shells underneath.
Located in the Royal National Park Also in Dharawal National Park and
just north of the Illawarra is Karloo special to the Aboriginal Dharawal Kingfisher Pool
Pools. You can access the pools via People, this waterhole is at the end Located in Heathcote National Park
Karloo walking track. of Jingga walking track, and can be just north of the Illawarra is
Figure Eight Pools reached via a 2.4km return trip that Kingfisher Pool.
You can access the tranquil and
while short, is steep and challenging.
The famed Figure Eight Pools in the The word ‘jingga’ means ‘nice and pristine freshwater pool via the
Royal National Park are located on a sweet’ in relation to water in the Bullawarring walking track.
rock shelf close to the ocean near Dharawal language and this is the
Burning Palms beach. perfect description of the beautiful Swimming hole at the base
The pools can be reached on foot freshwater swimming hole that of Tooth’s walking track
or via a guided tour, which is the awaits you. At the end of Tooth’s walking track
preferred option of the NSW in the Bundanoon National Park
National Parks and Wildlife Service. Olympic Pool you will find a waterhole perfect for
The 6km walk takes two hours each Once given the title of the best wild swimming. The swimming hole is at
way and is classified as ‘hard’ due swimming spot in the Royal the base of Bundanoon Creek and
to the steep, uneven track and National Park by Sydney Wild is the perfect place to cool off after
remote area. Swimming Adventures. Olympic a hard walk.
ILLAWARRA MERCURY VISITOR GUIDE 29