List of Swimming Waterholes in Victoria

Looking for a swimming location which is a more adventurous and exciting than a swimming pool or beach? Victoria has a range of great fresh water swimming holes which are free to access.

We have compiled a list of natural swimming waterholes across Melbourne and regional Victoria. Click on the links for more information.

Map of Swimming Waterholes

More than 35 swimming waterholes are shown on the map below with links to detailed information about each waterhole.

Swimming Waterholes in Melbourne

Laughing Waters Waterhole (Eltham)



A set of pools on the Yarra River with a few tiny rapids. The area is secluded and surrounded by bushland. There are some quite steep banks on the side but there are some steps down to the river. There are no facilities such as water or toilets here. Sunny spots on the riverbanks and parking are limited.

Lerderderg Gorge (Darley)



There is a 1.6km return walk along the Lerderderg River from Mackenzies Flat Picnic Area to Grahams Dam. At Mackenzies Flat Picnic Area there are toilets, picnic tables, BBQs and parking and some shallows where kids can play. Along the river there are some stepping stone river crossings and when you reach Grahams Dam there is deeper water to swim in. There are no facilities at Grahams Dam. The water is usually clear but can dry up late in the summer during dry periods.

Werribee Gorge Rock Pools (Ingliston)

One for the adventurers. The difficult 10km Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk provides the opportunity to have a dip at Needles Beach or at the biggest rock pool, Blackwood Pool for experienced swimmers. The water quality here is often poor and don't expect clear water. The track along the river may become impassable after heavy rain.

Lysterfield Park Lake (Narre Warren North)



Take a refreshing swim in one of two protected swimming bays with sandy beaches. There are two swimming bays with both having a gradual increase in water depth and are surrounded by sand along the shore. It should be noted for children who aren't strong swimmers, that while the lake has 'gradual depth' there are areas towards the deep end where the lake floor drops off suddenly and there are no lifeguards here. For your safety, no hard craft are allowed in these bays and glass is not permitted on the beaches. Lysterfield Park has nature trails and plenty of picnic facilities.

Little Peninsula and Big Peninsula Tunnels (McMahons Creek)

During summer there are paddling / swimming possibilities at the tunnels. For inexperienced swimmers there is a small paddling area at the inlet of the Little Peninsula tunnel. For more experienced swimmers there is paddling at the inlet and swimming at the outlet of Big Peninsula Tunnel.

Yarra River at Warburton



The Yarra River forms a great lazy river at Warburton. Bring a lilo or grab a tube from the local hardware store and leisurely float down the Yarra. Start near the Warburton Water World / Warburton Caravan Park and float a few kilometres to Thomas Avenue in town.

There are series of rock embankments beside the Yarra along Thomas Street in the centre of town which provide access to the river for a dip or paddle plus a number of other spots within the town.

Pound Bend Reserve (Warrandyte)



In 1870, the Evelyn Tunnelling and Mining Company dug through 145 metres of hard rock at Pound Bend to divert the Yarra through what is now known as the Tunnel. This left five kilometres of the old river bed exposed to dredge for gold. At the point where water flows out of the tunnel you can sit and let the water wash over you or go a bit further downstream for a gentler swim. The tunnel is dangerous and should be avoided. The area is lightly-wooded and there's a picnic area with wooden tables and toilet facilities. This section of the Yarra is a popular summertime location for floating, canoeing and picnicking. The Yarra does a big loop between the start and end of the tunnel and a fun activity is to float on a lilo or tube between these points. Be prepared for a few rapids along the route.

Blue Lake (Plenty)

This used to be an old quarry and is flanked by sheer rock on one side and trees on the other side. Quite a popular spot but often suffers from poor water quality. Parks Victoria does not recommend swimming, jumping or diving into Blue Lake as the water is cold and deep and may have submerged objects.

Deep Rock, Yarra Bend Park (Fairfield)

The former location of the Deep Rock Swimming & Life Saving Club which was established at the site in 1906 operated until the 1940s. This area has an embankment of flat boulders to provide access to the river from the river bank. These stone steps are used by lots of dogs to go for a dip in the river. This area is also for swimming by some people as well as dogs. However, the quality of the water can often be poor, especially after rain and there is plenty of sediment in the water which means zero visibility.

Swimming Waterholes in Central Victoria

St Georges Lake (Creswick)



St Georges Lake was once a mining dam in the late 1800s and is now a great base for recreational activities after it was drained, dredged and re-filled in 2015. The lake is a swimming spot for the locals and has a beach area but care needs to be taken with younger kids since the water depth increases quickly to several metres deep. There are picnic tables, BBQs and toilets.

Calembeen Park (Creswick)



The first recorded use for swimming at the Calembeen Park lake was around 1910. There are areas for different levels of swimming experience including a toddlers pool, children's pool and adult pool. There is also a restored historic diving tower. The park has a picnic area, BBQ, amenities block and nature walks.

Jebbs Pool (Cumberland River)



Jebb's Pool is a lovely relaxing place to swim / dip and the cascades above the pool can be used as a natural waterslide. The area has lovely pools and rock ledges surrounded by bush. There is an area of deep water for swimming and also areas of shallow water. The walk to Jebbs Pool is an easy, flat 2km return walk and there are no facilities there.

Lake Daylesford (Daylesford)



Lake Daylesford is a man-made lake which was built in 1929. The swimming area is located on the site of a submerged former swimming pool. On the bank of the lake are the historic change rooms. The water depth is variable and is not suitable for inexperienced swimmers. In the area are toilets, shelters with tables and BBQ, kiosk, paddle-boat hire, canoe hire and car parking.

Pykes Creek Reservoir (Myrniong)



Pykes Creek Reservoir is located west of Melbourne near Ballan. It is a popular destination for activities including picnics, swimming, boating, jet skiing, fishing, birdwatching and walking.

There is a designated swimming area, Swimmer's Cove, which has water with low visibility and some submerged logs so some care needs to be taken. Facilities include BBQ areas, toilets, picnic tables and a playground.

Swimming Waterholes in North Central Victoria

Expedition Pass Reservoir (Golden Point)



The reservoir is only a few kilometres from Chewton and Castlemaine and is a popular fishing, canoeing, swimming, bushwalking, birdwatching and picnicking spot. There is a small beach next to the road. The shallow area is quite small and the water depth drops quickly away to be very deep. The reservoir has reeds around the shoreline and requires some walking to find alternative swimming places. There are no facilities such as picnic tables or toilets.

Laanecoorie Reservoir (Laanecoorie)

Laanecoorie is a popular spot for power boating, jet skiing, rowing and canoeing. There is a designated safe swimming area located on the left side of the boat ramp which is suitable for all swimming experience levels. Experienced swimmers can also swim at any part of the reservoir.

Turpins Falls (Langley)



A stunning setting with a 20m high waterfall and deep pool on the Campaspe River. There is a steep path down to the waterhole which has extremely cold water and is very deep. No amenities such as toilets or picnic tables are available at the reserve. Jumping or diving off the falls is strictly prohibited and there have been deaths and severe injuries in the past. Note: Turpins Falls is currently closed to the public.

Coliban Cascades (Metcalfe)

The 'Cascades' is a series of rock pools where the Coliban River flows and cascades through large granite boulders, outcrops, crevices and caverns. You can walk around the area and explore the pools and flowing water but take care since some areas of water can be deep. The area is a popular spot for splashing in the pools, swimming and picnics, especially during the warmer months. There are some picnic tables nearby and a parking area.

Swimming Waterholes in Northern Country

Little Lake Boort (Boort)

There is a designated safe swimming area located at the Nolen's Park end of the lake. The swimming area is suitable for both inexperienced and experienced swimmers while experienced swimmers can also swim at any part of the lake. Near the swimming area are BBQs, picnic tables, toilets and a playground.

Bridgewater Swimming Hole (Bridgewater on Loddon)



Bridgewater on Loddon's dedicated swimming hole is a natural infinity pool. There's a timber deck on the side with a ladder for entry/exit and kayak ramp. This safe and secluded spot is only for swimming and small watercraft, being sectioned off from the water skiing speed boats. The water is shallow and diving is prohibited. The area has shaded BBQs, picnic tables, toilets and walking track.

Thompsons Beach (Cobram)



There is a lovely beach here on the Murray River which was voted as the #12 Best Australian Beach in 2022. Beware of currents in the river but the Tourist Information Centre advised that the currents are on the far side of the river and swimming is fine if some care is shown. The beach is set beside towering red river gums.

There are many beautiful river beaches from the Victorian side of the Murray in this area. See this list of popular beaches.

Polly McQuinns Swimming Hole (Strathbogie)



The picturesque Polly McQuinns is located on Seven Creeks, 4 km south-east of Strathbogie and comprises a reservoir, weir, bridge, and a pleasant area around the water. Once a natural creek and large deep-water pool, the creek has been dammed on the northern side of the road, creating another large waterbody.

The water spills over the concrete weir wall, under the road bridge, over large exposed granite boulders and across a natural spillway into the deep-water pool. The two distinctive water features and rocky spillway create an attractive place for picnic and walks. The deep-water pool is fringed with reeds and trees, and there are picturesque rock groupings and cascades.

The deep-water pool is very deep with a sharp drop-off and very cold so it is not suitable for non or poor swimmers.

Swimming Waterholes in North East Victoria

Woolshed Falls (Beechworth)

It is possible to easily get to the sloping ledges above Woolshed Falls where there are rock pools which are a great place to cool off during summer with some smaller cascades flowing from one rock pool to the next. If the water flow is high, care needs to be taken that you are not swept down to the waterfall. There are picnic tables, wood BBQs, car park and toilets.

Centenary Park Ovens River Pool (Bright)



The Ovens River is dammed at Bright around Christmas to Easter to create a long cool river swimming pool. The area has a diving board and Rotary Water Slide (fees apply). A lifeguard is on duty in the afternoon most days during summer. Where Morses Creek enters the Ovens River, there is a great water play park. The splash park and shallow Morses Creek are suitable for inexperienced swimmers but the deep Ovens River is more suitable for experienced swimmers.

Sinclair's Waterhole (Buckland)



A great waterhole for swimming along the Buckland River which is close to Bright. There are small waterfalls and ledges of different heights along the sides which people jump off. There is lovely fresh water but it is deep and the currents can be strong and you need to be a decent swimmer. The waterhole is not really suitable for young kids (under 6 years). The ledges provide nice places to sit in the sun between dips.

Lake Buffalo (Buffalo River)

There are two designated swimming areas where boats are not permitted. Generally the lake is fairly shallow with clear water which is not too cold. There are picnic facilities at both swimming areas.

Gooram Falls (Gooram)



The Gooram Falls is a beautiful place to visit for a paddle and picnic during summer.

Tronoh Dredge Swimming Hole (Harrietville)



The Tronoh Dredge hole was once the location of the biggest bucket dredge in the southern hemisphere which operated from 1942 to 1954. Nowadays, the hole has been filled with water to create a recreational lake. It is a great location for a picnic, swim or canoe. The lake has a pier (Joop's Jetty), floating swimming pontoon and a rope swing. There are also a number of walking trails that meander around the dredge holes.

The waterhole is most suited to experienced swimmers since the banks are fairly steep and the hole is deep. One problem with the swimming hole is algal blooms which have occurred on a number of occasions due to lack of flow of fresh water. There is a second smaller lake to the north but that is not suitable for swimming due to the stagnant water.

Lake Nillahcootie (Lima South)

Lake Nillahcootie is a popular place for fishing, swimming and boating. It also has excellent picnic facilities and an attractive lawn area near the dam. There is a designated swimming area with shallow water and nice clean sand in the north west corner picnic area. The lake is quite shallow which makes the water fairly warm early in the season.

Ladies Bath Falls (Mount Buffalo)



At Ladies Bath Falls water cascades into a perfectly clear pool of water formed at the bottom where it is safe to paddle / have a dip during hot weather. The water is up to waist deep in part of the pool and is very cold. Located only 400m along a path from the road.

Lower Rollasons Falls (Mount Buffalo)



The beautiful pool at the base of Lower Rollasons Falls is a 3.8 km return walk along a steep, rocky and uneven path from the road. The water is freezing cold and a bit tricky to get into and is therefore recommended for more experienced swimmers. If the flow of the waterfall is not too high, you can take a dip in the elevated pool at the base.

Barwidgee Creek (Myrtleford)

Barwidgee Creek at the northern end of Rotary Park is a popular natural swimming spot along the Ovens River in Myrtleford. This area used to be known as Myrtle Creek - named after the myrtle trees growing there - and was once used by gold miners. These days it is a beautiful natural swimming area to relax and cool off in.

Ovens River Reserve River Pool (Porepunkah)



The Ovens River is dammed at Porepunkah from around Christmas to Easter to create a long cool river swimming pool. A lifeguard is on duty in the afternoon most days during summer at the pool. A shaded toddler's paddling pool on the river banks nearby give the whole family a chance to enjoy the water.

Swimming Waterholes in Wimmera

Venus Baths (Halls Gap)



A wonderful area where the creek flows into a series of pools and splashes out over rock ledges. This is a great place to loll about on the rocks or splash about in the shallow water. The water can be terribly cold but that just adds to the experience. For some extra thrills, wear a rubbish bag to form a water slide on the bottom section. Located along a 2.3 km circuit walk from Halls Gap.

Swimming Waterholes in Mallee

Lake Meran (Lake Meran)



Lake Meran is a lovely spot to camp, swim, fish or simply relax with a picnic in the lovely natural surrounds. The lake has shallow, white sandy beaches and is surrounded by healthy red gums which provide shade. There is a designated swimming area. Facilities include a boat ramp, BBQs, picnic tables and toilets

Swimming Waterholes in West & South Gippsland

Blue Pool (Briagolong)



A stunning, natural, deep, clear swimming hole carved into Freestone Creek with rocky outcrops rising on all sides. There are shallows suitable for small children, as well as deeper spots for good swimmers. The location is easily accessible with parking nearby. There is also a free camping spot near the pool and facilities such as picnic tables, barbecues, shelters and toilets. Fishing, canoeing and kayaking are not permitted but dogs are allowed on leash.

Blue Rock Lake (Willow Grove)



Boasting Mt Baw Baw as a backdrop, Blue Rock lake is a boating destination and ideal for fishing as it's one of Victoria's premier fisheries for Australian Bass. If fishing isn't your thing, then paddle, kayak, swim or just sit on the bank with a picnic and take in the beautiful surrounds.

The lake has two designated swimming areas where boating and fishing is not permitted. There are shallow areas for beginners and extensive deeper areas for more experienced swimmers. The area has facilities such as picnic tables, water tap, BBQs under cover, car park, toilets and a walking track.

Swimming Waterholes in East Gippsland

Livingstone Creek Park (Omeo)



The pool at Livingstone Creek Park was created in 1925 by blocking off a tunnel which was created to divert the Livingstone Creek to allow the river bed to be mined for gold. The water becomes deep quickly and is suited to experienced swimmers. There are picnic facilities including tables, BBQs and toilets.

Safety
Natural swimming holes are potentially more dangerous than a patrolled beach or aquatic centre. Historically there have been more drowning deaths in Australian rivers, creeks and streams than at beaches or swimming pools. Check the local conditions before swimming. There may be strong currents and hazards in the water or unstable edges. Take note of safety signs and only swim at places where swimming is permitted and never swim alone. Consider the bushfire risk on hot days and be aware of very cold water which could therefore pose a hypothermia risk.

---

Web Links

→ 100 Free Water Play Spaces in Melbourne and Regional Victoria

→ The Best Rockpools in Melbourne and Victoria

→ The Best Family Beaches in Melbourne

→ List of Public Swimming Pools in Melbourne and Victoria

→ Comparison of Aquatic Centres in Melbourne and Geelong

→ EPA Water Quality Across the Yarra Report

→ EPA Water Quality Alerts for Victoria


List of Swimming Waterholes in Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria,