making my heart sing: swimming up and down

since i realised sydney (and nsw) have ocean baths, i've wanted to spend a summer swimming up and down the suburbs (and eventually the coast)

this blog, Swim Sally, Swim was part of my inspiration -

Northern beaches

I have a hope of house-sitting in the northern beaches (I know one or two possibilities) and spending a week catching buses and swimming up and down the ocean beaches located here (Google maps is missing a few)

A handy checklist of pools and their facilities

Fairy Bower, Manly

This magical little rock pool is perfect for kids and is graced by two sculptures known as the Oceanids. It is situated on the cove of Shelly Beach, so the water is always calm. Fairy Bower is one of a few pools which have a pump system that draws sea water into the pool. Take the ferry over to Manly and follow the path from the Corso around to Shelly Beach.

The enchanting, triangular Fairy Bower Pool was built by locals, for locals, in 1929. It's located alongside Marine Parade, between Manly and Fairy Bower. Adding to the magic are sculptor Helen Leete's Oceanides (also known as the 'Manly Sea Nymphs'), two curving creatures on the pool's edge. When the surf's up, they look a bit like dancing aquatic spirits. Try taking a dip at sunrise, sunset or even after-dark.

Freshwater Rock Pool (50 m)

Warringah council maintains 6 rock pools in the area, and this one is situated at the northern end of Freshwater Beach. It’s a 50m lap pool, perfect for kids who want a proper swim without the size constraints of many rock pools and without the waves and traffic of the ocean. Similar to Newcastle’s Bogey Hole, it has the structure and security of a man-made pool but with all the gorgeous scenery and natural elements of the beach.

North Curl Curl (25 m)

Curl Curl's exposed, east-southeast position makes it one of Sydney's most exciting but dangerous beaches. The southerly swell surges in, driving waves to heights of 1.5 metres or more and powering hazardous rips. Lap up all the action from the safety of the North Curl Curl Rock Pool. Carved out in the mid-1930s, it has a natural floor and rocky platforms for sunbaking (slip, slop, slap, please). At high tide, access is only available via coastal walkway.

Dee Why (50 m)

Dee Why Rockpool is perfectly located right near the promenade along the beach. With natural sandstone and concrete walls, this 50 metre pool has a special toddler area. It’s well maintained with plenty of shallow water for splashing around. There are toilets and showers close by.

Queenscliff (50 m)

Collaroy (50 m)

North Narrabeen (50 m)

Mona Vale (30 m)

Newport (50 m)

Bilgola Rockpool (50 m)

Bilgola Beach forms the floor of a steep coastal valley. It's one of the Northern Beaches' most secluded spots. For an adventurous walk in, take the South Bilgola Headland Walk, which starts at Newport Beach, winding its way through tea trees, bottlebrushes, paperbarks, casuarinas and cabbage tree palms. Alternatively, park just off The Serpentine. You'll find the eight-lane, 50-metre rockpool at the beach's southern end, affording spectacular views of the 60-metre-high Bilgola North Headland.