Top 5 Rock pools
No doubt you’ve been strolling along, say, Bondi Beach on a winter’s morning and seen those straight-backed old men and women who smash into the pool at the Icebergs, ignoring the single-digit temperatures? Notice how they emerge after a lazy 40 laps, snorting like water buffalo? That, friends, is the truest joy of the beach pool. To judge from the oldies, it could even be the key to a much longer life. After all, the sea can be cruel to swimmers. An ocean is unyielding, but a good ocean pool is your friend.
Here’s our pick for the Top 5 Rock Pools of our time.
Icebergs, Bondi
It’s unisex, well maintained and there’s room for everyone. Since the yuppification of the facilities, it’s lost its ‘old mate’ charm – gone are the faded carpets, calm service and middies of New post-swim to wash the salt off your tongue – but it remains one of the finest swimming holes hereabouts.
Hancock George, Northern Territory
It might not be an ocean pool per se, but being two billion years old easily gives The Top Pools, located in Karijini National Park in Western Australia's the title of being one of the most awesome places you could take a dip in AUS.
Based in Western Australia's most sensational natural attraction, Kakadu National Park, NT, it's tunnels of marbled rock, boodles, and narrow tunnels that you get to paddle through, until the waterways, come to a super deep and ancient break where the permanent water pools are. It's one of the most amazing places that a human being will ever get to swim. And looking at it, even in photos, it's not hard to see why it's one of the start attractions of Karijini National Park.
Fairy Bower Pool, Manly
From its enchanting name to its stunning location on Sydney’s northern beaches, Fairy Bower is indeed a magical little spot to bathe. The surrounding beach is just as beautiful, and it’s a great place to take the kids, or your mates. This is a treasure for all to share. For best effect, why not grab the ferry over? It’ll save you trying to find a parking spot in Manly on a summer’s day, which is pretty hard.
St Kilda Sea Baths, Melbourne
This is one fancy spot to bathe in seawater, but thanks to Melbourne’s at-times changeable climate, the main pool is indoors, but the water is pure ocean. While this end of Port Phillip Bay doesn’t get too many big waves, this is still a classy and popular way to get splashed around. Afterwards, if you fancy a beer and a band, head up to the legendary St Kilda watering hole the Esplanade – it’s the location for SBS show RockWiz.
KANGAROO ISLAND
Stokes Bay, South Australia
On Kangaroo Island, just a short walk to the east of Stokes Bay, if you follow the signs pointing to the 'beach' and make your way through the headland of boulders… you'll find the best Rock Pool that SA has to offer (well, up there anyways). It's an amazing white-sand beach surrounded by cliffs, and a large rock-enclosed pool that provides protection from the surf, and a safe swimming spot for all ages. There is even a Rock pool Café which is the special place to grab an ice-block and take in the spectacular sights.
If you’d like to get your own Top 5 Ocean Pool songs together, you could win an iTunes Gift Card to help you make that summer playlist happen!
Top 5 Rock pools
No doubt you’ve been strolling along, say, Bondi Beach on a winter’s morning and seen those straight-backed old men and women who smash into the pool at the Icebergs, ignoring the single-digit temperatures? Notice how they emerge after a lazy 40 laps, snorting like water buffalo? That, friends, is the truest joy of the beach pool. To judge from the oldies, it could even be the key to a much longer life. After all, the sea can be cruel to swimmers. An ocean is unyielding, but a good ocean pool is your friend.
Here’s our pick for the Top 5 Rock Pools of our time.
Icebergs, Bondi
It’s unisex, well maintained and there’s room for everyone. Since the yuppification of the facilities, it’s lost its ‘old mate’ charm – gone are the faded carpets, calm service and middies of New post-swim to wash the salt off your tongue – but it remains one of the finest swimming holes hereabouts.
Hancock George, Northern Territory
It might not be an ocean pool per se, but being two billion years old easily gives The Top Pools, located in Karijini National Park in Western Australia's the title of being one of the most awesome places you could take a dip in AUS.
Based in Western Australia's most sensational natural attraction, Kakadu National Park, NT, it's tunnels of marbled rock, boodles, and narrow tunnels that you get to paddle through, until the waterways, come to a super deep and ancient break where the permanent water pools are. It's one of the most amazing places that a human being will ever get to swim. And looking at it, even in photos, it's not hard to see why it's one of the start attractions of Karijini National Park.
Fairy Bower Pool, Manly
From its enchanting name to its stunning location on Sydney’s northern beaches, Fairy Bower is indeed a magical little spot to bathe. The surrounding beach is just as beautiful, and it’s a great place to take the kids, or your mates. This is a treasure for all to share. For best effect, why not grab the ferry over? It’ll save you trying to find a parking spot in Manly on a summer’s day, which is pretty hard.
St Kilda Sea Baths, Melbourne
This is one fancy spot to bathe in seawater, but thanks to Melbourne’s at-times changeable climate, the main pool is indoors, but the water is pure ocean. While this end of Port Phillip Bay doesn’t get too many big waves, this is still a classy and popular way to get splashed around. Afterwards, if you fancy a beer and a band, head up to the legendary St Kilda watering hole the Esplanade – it’s the location for SBS show RockWiz.
KANGAROO ISLAND Stokes Bay, South Australia
On Kangaroo Island, just a short walk to the east of Stokes Bay, if you follow the signs pointing to the 'beach' and make your way through the headland of boulders… you'll find the best Rock Pool that SA has to offer (well, up there anyways). It's an amazing white-sand beach surrounded by cliffs, and a large rock-enclosed pool that provides protection from the surf, and a safe swimming spot for all ages. There is even a Rock pool Café which is the special place to grab an ice-block and take in the spectacular sights.
If you’d like to get your own Top 5 Ocean Pool songs together, you could win an iTunes Gift Card to help you make that summer playlist happen!