The Snowy Mountains of New South Wales are known as an adventure playground, with alpine sports in the winter months and a wide range of outdoor and adventure activities all year-round.
So after a few days of hiking, camping, horse-riding, mountain-biking or skiing, a refreshing dip in a beautiful thermal pool might be just what the doctor ordered.
Just what the doctor ordered - a refreshing dip in the thermal pool
Yarrangobilly Thermal Pool is a natural thermal spring situated near the Yarrangobilly Caves at the northern end of Kosciuszko National Park. It does not pretend to be a secret swimming hole or the hottest new trend. Indeed it has been a popular attraction since the nineteenth century when the first wooden pool was constructed over the spring in 1896. The pool has since been renovated with the construction of the current pool occurring in 1969.
A visit to the thermal pool was one of the highlights of a recent visit to the high plains area of the Kosciuszko National Park. Access to the pool is via the Yarrangobilly Caves Visitor Centre. A nominal fee is required for day use by each vehicle.
From the car park, a bit of effort is required to get down to the pool. Make sure you take everything you need for your swim, as well as any snacks or picnic supplies you require, as you won't want to have to walk back up to the car more than once. The track is only around 700 metres but it is steep as it winds its way down to the picturesque Yarrangobilly River.
Almost there - you can catch glimpses of the pool on the walk down
It is around a 10-minute walk down to the pool from the car park with tantalising glimpses of the aquamarine water of the pool from above. The pool is situated in a clearing surrounded by trees and mountains. There is a flat grassy area for those wanting to enjoy a picnic and there are basic toilet and change rooms facilities adjacent to the pool. The size of the pool may surprise you with the main pool measuring around 20 metres long with an additional shallow wading pool at one end.
The wading pool is perfect for sitting in
This pool is so inviting, especially on a cool day. The water temperature was refreshing, not as warm as I was expecting, but still quite pleasant. The pool is around 2.5 metres deep and there is no shallow end, requiring you to swim, float or hang on to the edge. Don't be surprised or put off by the soft, green algae growing on the walls and floor of the pool, as the warm water encourages its growth. The pool is also said to be home to Eastern banjo frogs who breed here, however, I didn't see any while I was swimming.
This natural attraction is produced by rainwater which seeps through the surrounding porous rocks and is heated hundreds of metres below the ground. It is then forced back up through the cracks and emerges as a warm spring. The water maintains a year-round pleasant temperature of 27 degrees Celsius and also contains traces of dissolved minerals such as magnesium, sodium and calcium salts, a tonic for those tired and aching muscles.
Enjoy the clean air and natural landscape while you swim
It is a beautiful place to spend an hour or two, relaxing and enjoying the clean air and beautiful surroundings of this natural pool. The bad news is that the climb back to the car park may undo all of your good relaxation work and by the time you get back to the car park your muscles may be aching once again and you will really need a swim!
The Yarrangobilly Thermal Pool is located at Yarrangobilly Caves in the Kosciuszko National Park. It is a 1 hour drive from Tumut, 1.5 hours from Cooma and around 3 hours from Canberra.
For information about the Yarrangobilly Caves area, please
click here.
For information on how to get to Yarrangobilly Caves, please
click here.
