Ocean Pools on the NSW South Coast

Post

Subscribe

I grew up in Wollongong, which meant weekends were spent at the beach with friends, and I mean every weekend. When I was younger, we went to The Continental Pool, next to Wollongong Harbour. I remember complaining the water was too cold but we had many fun times at this ocean pool. Occasionally there were blue bottles washed in by the waves, but when the water was clear, it was refreshing and fabulous on a hot summer's day.


I have since discovered other ocean pools, and here is my list of the ones I've visited and enjoyed. The best thing about these pools is that they are only a short drive from Sydney and are great for short breaks, weekends away, or Sunday drives.

As with any water activity, please follow safe swimming rules and always supervise children. Ocean pools can be unpredictable, especially during high tides and changing weather conditions. Also, stairs and rocks may be slippery. Please check websites for any severe weather warnings.

1. The Continental Pool

Location: Cliff Road North Wollongong
Opening Hours: 6 am - 7 pm Thurs - Tues, 6 am - 2 pm Wed
Closed Christmas Day


I knew this pool as The Continental Baths back in the '70s, now it's known simply as The Continental Pool. Not only has the name changed but the pool is regularly cleaned and painted.

A 50-metre lap pool is part of a complex and it includes a 45-metre pool and a toddler's pool. Ramp entry to the complex is available. The complex has toilets and hot showers. Lifeguards are on duty during opening hours, and you are asked to leave the complex 15 minutes before closing.

Parking is available on Cliff Road, but it can be busy during peak times such as weekends and public holidays. There may be parking in the local streets further back from the pool or towards the Flagstaff Hill Lighthouse, so factor in some walking.

Please check the City of Wollongong website for any warnings before swimming at this pool. Warnings are rare but water safety is always a priority.

2. Ocean Pool Port Kembla

Address: Olympic Boulevard, Port Kembla (off Cowper Street)
Opening hours: 6 am - 7 pm daily
Closed Christmas Day


Port Kembla Pool (and beach) will always be my favourite swimming spot on the south coast. I grew up on this beach and I learned to body surf here. I have many fond memories of time spent here with family and friends. If we weren't visiting the Continental Pool, we were at Port Kembla Beach.

The pool was where we swam as kids. Then it was always the beach when we were teenagers. There is a kiosk that is accessible from the pool complex as well as from the beach and it kept us fueled with hot chips and ice blocks the whole day.

It was last renovated in 2000 and has on-site amenities including toilets, change rooms, showers, and accessible facilities. There is also a beach entry, wading pool, learning pool, Olympic pool, lifeguard tower, and meeting rooms. A good car park area is just outside the pool and it has accessible parking areas. The surf club has parking, too. This parking area is behind the club that is further up the hill off Cowper St.

Visit the City of Wollongong website for more information about this ocean pool.

3. Woonona Rock Pool

Address: Collins Point, Kurraba Rd, Woonona
Opening hours: Open 24 hours


Other ocean pools were discovered during our teen years. Woonona Rock Pool has a 50m pool with diving blocks and you can sit in the lovely pavilion with a rooftop viewing platform. The views are spectacular from the rooftop, it's a must-do when you visit this ocean pool.

This pool is open 24 hours and we spent many late afternoons and evenings here. It's a great ocean pool for swimming laps and diving as it's sheltered from high tides due to the raised walls. Always supervise children when swimming here. There is no kiosk, but food can be purchased at the local shopping centre or you may want to bring your own.

There are toilets, change rooms, and showers, but accessibility is not great. There is a set of stairs from the car park at the southern end and parking can be an issue during peak times. There is some side street parking available.

Visit the City of Wollongong website for more information about Woonona pool.

4. Boat Harbour Rock Pool Gerringong

Address: 20 Jupiter St, Gerringong
Opening hours: Open 24 hours


A pool we enjoyed the most on our trips further down the coast is the Boat Harbour Rock Pool in Gerringong. This 40m pool is next to the boat harbour and ramp, hence the name. During the morning, the sun shines on this beautiful pool where you can do some laps, take a quick dip, snorkel or catch some sun on the rocks. It is shaded in the afternoons due to the cliff face, so our pick was to go in the mornings.

The NSW south coast beaches' water temperature is on the cool side, so you may want to swim during the mornings, not all ocean pools are in the sun all day.


The nearby Werri Beach Ocean Pool is on Gerrigong St and is similar to the Boat Harbour one, both are open 24 hours and are natural pools with sandy, seaweed bottoms. It is easy to visit both pools in one day if you like. Be sure to bring goggles as you will see sealife like starfish, sea slugs and plenty of small fish.

Parking is available at Boat Harbour, especially up the hill. There is a ramp for wheelchairs and prams at this pool but not at the Werri Beach pool. As with any of these natural ocean pools, please take care. Having shoes suitable for ocean swimming is a good idea. Neither of the pools is patrolled, which is another reason to be extra careful. Dogs are not allowed at either pool, but Werri Beach does have an off-leash area.

For information about Boat Harbour Rock Pool go to the Visit NSW website
For information about Werri Beach Ocean Pool also go to the Visit NSW website

Whenever I'm in Wollongong during summer, I visit either the Continental Pool or Port Kembla. The pool in Port Kembla is usually less crowded and parking is easier, so this one is my preference.

Well, I hope you've enjoyed this short tour of ocean pools on the NSW South Coast and will visit them on your next trip down our amazing coastline.

#swimming
#outdoor
#family_friendly
#holiday
#weekend_escape
#travel
#accessibility

%wnsydney
%wnwollongong