Tag Archives: post swim coffee

Wollondilly Leisure Centre – Picton, NSW 2571

My experience in the pool Picton's Olympic Pool has had a few names over the years, it seems. It's now known as Wollondilly Leisure Centre, which is probably appropriate as the pool complex (indoor and outdoor pools) sits about half way between Picton itself and the next village of Tahmoor. But hanging on the wall of the centre are photos of earlier versions of the pool, which looks as if it was basically built in the middle of a field, and seemed to be called Picton Baths or Picton Read more [...]

Newcastle Bogey Hole – Newcastle, NSW 2300

My experience in the pool It took me five attempts to actually get into the water at Newcastle Bogey Hole. But wow, it was worth it in the end. I really don't know how those convicts built this bathing area almost 200 years ago, because there seem to be so few days when it is reasonably safe to get into the water here, let alone build the walls and fencing that keep the place 'safe' and made sure that the old convict colony commander could cool off when he needed. I couldn't help thinking Read more [...]

Forbes Olympic Pool – Forbes, NSW 2871

Forbes was named after a former Chief Justice of NSW My experience in the pool We didn't expect to get a swim at Forbes Olympic Pool. We just dropped by to take a photo of the fabulous Art Deco pool entrance and noticed the shutters were up. I thought pools in country NSW had a very limited season, with swimming only possible in heatwaves between November and February. But that's not the case with Forbes outdoor pool. 'Come back tomorrow', said the cheery manager. 'It's our Read more [...]

Parkes Aquatic Centre – Parkes, NSW 2870

Parkes was named after the town's founder, who came from Coventry, hence its twinning with that industrial city! My experience in the pool My swim at Parkes Aquatic Centre was a bit of a surprise. I had thought outdoor pools in country Australia were not generally open till November and many of them stay shut if the air temperature isn't forecast to rise above 25C, or some such random heatwave number that this Pommy regards as ridiculous. But there we were driving slowly past Read more [...]

Kyeemagh Baths – Kyeemagh, NSW 2216

Kyeemagh means 'beautiful dawn' in the local aboriginal language. My experience in the pool Kyeemagh Baths don't get the best write-up of Sydney's swimming enclosures and many I spoke to on Botany Bay say they never go near the place. Certainly, until the day I finally got in the water at Kyeemagh, I had never seen anyone even paddling in the water here. The first problem is that unless you pick your tide - and high tide is the only real option at Kyeemagh - you have ankle deep water Read more [...]

Killcare Rock Pool – Putty Beach, NSW 2257

My experience in the pool The best time to come to Killcare ring of stones rock pool is at high tide on a calm day. Then, locals tell me, it's like being in a swimming pool. I almost made it on both counts, so managed a bit of a splash around on my back, but didn't really get to do a lap or even turn those arms over for freestyle or back stroke. I had noted down high tide times but got snarled up in traffic through Sydney so by the time I got to Killcare, I'd missed the high by about an Read more [...]

Little Street Baths – Forster, NSW 2428

My experience in the pool The Little Street Baths in Forster are a funny spot. With such a fabulous ocean pool just ten minutes' walk away, why would anyone ever want to swim in these baths, you might think? I like the idea of netted swimming enclosures in Sydney along the George's River or Port Hacking when locals might feel it's just a bit too far to get to the beach and swim in a real rock pool, but here at Little Street in Forster, it really is close to the town itself. Still, I Read more [...]

Tuncurry Rockpool – Tuncurry, NSW 2428

Tuncurry means 'plenty of fish' in local Aboriginal language My experience in the pool Tuncurry Rockpool would not count as a rock pool in most people's definitions of the term. There are no rocks anywhere, unless you count the material used to build the harbour wall, and it is more a netted beach than a pool as such. Still, for my ocean pools site, which has now expanded into any outdoor swimming spot (as long as it's safe or protected), Tuncurry Rockpool counts. It is a funny place, Read more [...]

Forster Ocean Baths – Forster, NSW 2428

Forster is named after a 19th century NSW Premier. My experience in the pool Forster Ocean Baths are an absolute delight. If you're heading north, as I am on this quest to swim in all the NSW outdoor swimming enclosures, make the most of Forster because there aren't many more genuine ocean pools between here and the Queensland border. Forster Baths must have been all the more amazing when they were first built, when they had tea gardens, a dance hall and, of all things, a casino, attached Read more [...]

Gymea Bay Baths – Gymea, NSW 2227

The gymea is a type of lily. My experience in the pool Gymea Bay Baths have one of the most beautiful backdrops of Sydney's tidal baths, but boy you need to pick the right moment to come for a swim. So, first the positives about Gymea Bay. The baths are tucked away in a quiet cove surrounded by gum trees so when you get out of the car (and even more so if you catch one of the buses here which drop you off a good hike from the pool) you fill your lungs with the lovely eucalyptus scents. Then Read more [...]