Queenscliff Rock Pool – NSW 2096

It is claimed that the first big wave surfing was at Queenscliff My experience in the rock pool Unlike the pool at the southern end of Manly Beach – Fairy Bower – Queenscliff rock pool is a 50m pool designed for serious lap swimmers. That’s not to say the fun-seekers can’t come into the water here. In fact when I last swam here I had the pool to myself, though it was a June morning, so the air temperature was about on a par with the water at about 16C. Some say they like this Read more [...]

Cronulla North Rock Pool – NSW 2230

'Place of the pink sea shells' My experience in the rock pool This was another pool it took me three goes to get into. First time in Cronulla, there was a cold wind blowing on a grey day and I was still nursing a sore shoulder so just went for coffee instead; second time here, there was repair work on the promenade so no access to this pool. On a warm winter’s day in June, though, it was irresistible. Even the paddle through the sand to reach a depth I could swim in was a pleasure, Read more [...]

Cronulla Beach Rock Pool – NSW 2230

'Place of the pink sea shells' My experience in the rock pool I came here on a bright, sunny morning at the end of April. From the promenade that goes along the beach around the headland, the pool looked inviting in the way all pools do with blue sky and sun on them. The only problem was that this was one week after the Big Storm that had hit Sydney (2015) and the big surf had thrown an enormous quantity of sand into the pool. This meant that in much of the pool the water barely reached Read more [...]

Wombarra Rock Pool – NSW 2515

Wombarra is an Aboriginal word for ‘black duck’ My experience in the rock pool I didn’t see any black ducks in this secluded pool at the northern end of the Illawarra. Unless those thin black sea birds sitting on the pool railings pretending to be Batman are indeed black ducks, but I don’t think so. It actually took me three goes to get into this pool. The first time I came, it was just on high tide and the 5m walk across the rocks to gain access to the pool looked pretty Read more [...]

Coalcliff Rock Pool – NSW 2508

Home of the Illawarra Coke Company since 1914. My experience in the rock pool I was there on a bright, breezy day in May. The ocean was a beautiful deep blue and the pool itself an inviting sky blue with a touch of turquoise – whoever took the decision to paint the floor of this pool blue made the right call in my view. The air temperature was barely 20C and the water starting to feel chilly enough to have me gasping as I put my head down to swim, but so so refreshing, even for five or Read more [...]

Coledale Rock Pool – NSW 2515

Coledale Rock Pool at high tide There’s a bit of an oyster theme to this pool. There are sharp oyster shells to avoid sometimes. Even the swim club is called the Coledale Oysters. My experience in the rock pool I picked a perfect morning for my swim here; warm autumn sun, and the tide a few hours past high so the rocks around the pool were still gleaming with the remaining puddles and the pool itself stood there inviting me in. Just one guy in there when I turned up and he was getting Read more [...]

Boat Harbour Rock Pool – Gerringong

Gerringong Boat Harbour Rock Pool “Where the mountains meet the sea” My experience in the rock pool I was here at low tide on a sunny, but windy day in January. Water temperature was perfect for just stepping straight in. It’s a bit shallow to swim immediately as the slow slope down from the pool edge takes you only gradually up to knee depth of water. But it’s a nice 50m pool once you’re in so it’s a good length for doing approximate laps and there were a couple of others Read more [...]