The Snowy Mountains.
Kosciusko National Park. Not places you associate with a bikini are they? But perhaps the Yarrangobilly Thermal Pool will tempt you with its year-round 27°C temperature. Here you can take a warm dip in the 20 metre pool or relax in a smaller wading pool, perfectly suited for children. Picnic facilities, toilets and change rooms are all provided.
The view of the Thermal Pool on the walk down
The water at this popular swimming spot is so warm because the pool has been built over a thermal spring. Rainwater seeps through rocks to be heated 800m below ground level before being forced upwards through cracks to flow into the pool at about 100,000 litres an hour. The water contains dissolved minerals such as calcium, sodium and magnesium, the last of which can help relieve aches, pain and headaches. Though the pool is regularly cleaned, the sides can become quite slippery with algae.
To reach the Thermal Pool you will have to leave your car in the car park at the top of the hill and walk 700m down to the bottom of the valley, where it sits next to the Yarrangobilly River. The track is quite steep and while 700m may not seem like much on the way down, you'll feel it going back up. It's enough to undo any of the relaxing effects of the water, though you may get to hear the banjo-like bonk of the Eastern Banjo Frog, which breeds in the pool and indicates a healthy environment and clean pool water.
Alternately however, you can stop at the Thermal Pool as you follow the 2.5–3km River Walk. This route begins at the Yarrangobilly Caves Glory Hole car park and follows the road to the Thermal Pool car park, where you will make your way down the track to the pool. Once you've enjoyed the pool, instead of going back up the slope, follow the River Walk upstream along the eastern bank of Yarrangobilly River to the Glory Arch Walk, where you can either return to the car park or take a detour through self-guided
South Glory Cave.
