Australia's Best Ocean Pools, From Sydney Showstoppers to Secret Swims

Sunkissed and salty, Australia has a little obsession with ocean pools. Carved out of the coastline and washed with waves from the oceans that surround, these Aussie icons are found up and down the country's fringe. 

The earliest man-made pools were hewn from the coast in the convict era, 200 years ago, and even today, there are yet more on the planning board. So what's the lure? The connection with the sea soothes our souls, whether we're doing laps or playing in the shallows. They're also safe from crashing surf, rips, and unwelcome marine animals, the seawater sluicing over their walls keeps the pools fresh and sparkling.  

You don’t have to go far to find a fabulous ocean pool – Bondi Icebergs and Brighton Baths are the best known examples in Sydney and Melbourne, and both are right in the centre of the sea-hugging capitals. To get off the beaten track, you'll find bathing beauties such as the netted sea pool at Moonta Bay, on South Australia’s York Peninsula, or the Kings Beach ocean pool at Caloundra, on the Sunshine Coast.  

New South Wales has a particular love affair of ocean pools, and the majority of Australia's pools are found along its fringe, from the glamorous showstoppers to family-friendly local secrets. 

We've rounded up 10 of the best ocean pools in Australia. Get salty! 

One of Australia’s most iconic swimming locations, and possibly the world’s most photographed pool, Bondi Icebergs is written into Sydney’s history. Opened in 1929, the waves that delight swimmers at Bondi Beach wash over the walls into the 50-metre pool; Icebergs was started by a group of off-season lifesavers, so naturally the pool is patrolled. Early opening from 6am, it has a café, gym, sauna and lockers, as well as the equally famous restaurant, serving some of Sydney’s best dining with incomparable views. Icebergs charges an entrance fee, with membership available.  

Where to stay nearby: Bondi Icebergs is a 20-minute drive from Novotel Sydney City Centre, and 25 minutes from Novotel Sydney Darling Square and the nearby Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour. 

Effortlessly photogenic, this rock-cut pool is one of Sydney's most beautiful. Lap swimmers follow the five marked, 30-meter-long lanes, but there’s plenty of space to splash about, away from the lanes. Sunkissed and salty, take a break and watch the surf breaking against the sea wall with coffee: it's a three-minute walk to the nearest cafe. To go total Sydney, do the 4km coastal walk from Bondi to Bronte, which takes about 1.5 hours, and reward yourself with a swim at each end. Bronte Baths is free.  

Where to stay nearby: It’s a 30-minute drive from Bronte Baths to either Novotel Sydney City Centre or Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach, on the southern beaches. However, parking is at a premium here, so consider using public transport or taxi. 

Also known as the Commandant's Baths, Newcastle’s Bogey Hole was built by convicts by order of then-commandant James Morisset, making it Australia's oldest ocean pool. The heritage-listed sea bath was hand-cut from sandstone at the base of the cliffs near Shepherds Hill; the word 'bogey' is said to have come from the Dharawal word meaning 'to bathe'. Locals say the best time to swim in the coffin-shaped pool is either side of low tide on a calm day. 

Where to stay nearby: The Bogey Hole is an easy 17-minute walk or three-minute drive from Novotel Newcastle Beach.

Lucky Wollongong is spoilt for ocean pools; you could map out a plan to visit Wombarra, Towradgi, and Gentlemen’s Pool, or simply settle in to secluded Coalcliff Rock Pool for an afternoon of swimming and wave watching. Not ready for a dip? Take a seat and watch the ocean and the dramatic Sea Cliff Bridge, nearby. Coalcliff includes a paddling pool and playground for the discerning youngster, with showers, picnic benches and public toilets nearby. Sweet and petite, this Wollongong rock pool is just 25 metres in length.

Where to stay nearby: If you’re not daytripping from Sydney, Novotel Wollongong Northbeach is a 30-minute drive south of the pools, over the Sea Cliff Bridge, following one of Australia’s most beautiful coastal drives. 

Built in 1881, the Brighton sea baths are a Melbourne institution. The 50-metre ocean pool is a netted section of Port Phillip Bay, with showers and locker rooms, a private beach and boardwalk. Visitors can hire towels and buy sunscreen and other essentials at the baths. For a total Melbourne experience, take a 10-minute beach walk south to another great Melbourne institution, Brighton Beach’s perky bathing boxes.

Where to stay nearby: It takes just over 20 minutes to drive from Novotel Melbourne South Wharf, or if you’re staying in the CBD at Novotel on Collins or Novotel Melbourne Central, jump the train to Middle Brighton station; the baths are just a few minutes’ walk from the station.

The Art Deco boardwalk of these historic sea baths curls a protective arm around Geelong’s waterfront. Here, you’ll find diving boards, slides and little islands as well as a sandy beach and a children’s pool in Geelong’s most popular swimming location, which is patrolled by lifeguards in summer. The complex, which was built in the 1930s, includes picnic spots and barbeques, a shower block and a kiosk, as well as a mod-Aus restaurant in the former bathers’ pavilion. 

Where to stay nearby: Starting right in front of Novotel Geelong, follow the waterfront walking paths one kilometre to the sea baths at Eastern Beach, one of the best short walks in Geelong. 

Set on the Yorke Peninsula two hours from Adelaide, this netted seawater pool is reached along the long jetty that juts out into the clear waters of the Spencer Gulf. Here, you’ll find a picnic area and kiosk, public toilets, and a free waterpark, Splashtown, which has water slides and tipping buckets beneath the sun sails in this town that draws holidaymakers from across South Australia.

Where to stay nearby: Make a day trip of it. Moonta Bay is two hours’ drive north-west from Novotel Barossa Valley Resort, and also two hours from Adelaide Rockford, in the centre of Adelaide.

No matter who you are, at some point you’ll end up at Cairns’ waterfront lagoon. At between 81 and 152 centimetres deep, the filtered saltwater lagoon is safe for inexperienced swimmers and also deep enough to get a few laps in, or to simply cool down in the tropical heat. Here, you’ll find barbeques, picnic spots and the lagoon also has wheelchair access. It's also patrolled by lifeguards, and closes in winter for maintenance. 

Where to stay nearby: It’s a 15-minute walk or five minutes in the car from Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort to the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon.

With its white umbrellas and landscaping, you could easily mistake this sea pool on the Sunshine Coast for a private resort. Open year round from 4am, the 25-metre seawater pool has lifeguards on watch during summer. Add to that the shade sails, toddlers’ wading area and spray fountain, and this one’s definitely a family crowd-pleaser. There’s also access for the mobility impaired. 

Where to stay nearby: From Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort at Twin Waters, it’s a 35-minute drive south to Caloundra, where you’ll find the ocean pool at the northern end of glorious Kings Beach. 

Western Australia has no man-made ocean pools, so you’ll just have to make do with natural beauty. Hemmed by a protective reef, Mettam’s Pool remains serene, even on windy days. The shallows are perfect for little kids, and the calm waters attract snorkelers keen for a glimpse of the underwater world.

Where to stay nearby: Located in North Beach, in Perth’s northern suburbs, it’s a 20-minute drive from Novotel Perth Murray Street, in the centre of the city.

Sydney’s Bondi Icebergs is considered Australia's signature ocean pool, but it is also the busiest. However, Sydney and the New South Wales coastline have the highest concentration of ocean pools, making it easy to find one to suit your style, be it family friendly or quiet - all are naturally beautiful.

Most ocean pools around Australia are free, though the best-known city pools, including Sydney’s Bondi Icebergs and Melbourne’s Brighton Baths, do charge visitors for single entry to swim.  

Bondi Icebergs is undoubtedly the best-known ocean pool in Sydney (and all Australia). However, there are plenty more to choose from along the city’s coastline, beloved by local swimmers, including the Bronte Baths, Fairy Bower Pool in Manly and in Coogee, where Wylie's Baths, McIver’s Baths, the Ross Jones Memorial Pool, and Giles Baths are all within walking distance of each other.  

Protected from riptides, heavy surf, and sharks, Australia's ocean pools give swimmers the chance to cool off with a salty, healthful swim in safety. While some of the most popular sea pools, such as Geelong’s Eastern Beach sea baths are patrolled by lifeguards, most are not. 

Many Australian ocean pools have paddling pools or shallows suitable for toddlers and young children, such as Coalcliff Rock Pool, one of the best Wollongong rock pools, Kings Beach Ocean Pool in Caloundra, and Geelong's Eastern Beach Sea Baths.