When the water calls, Sydneysiders head to the beach or plunge into the city’s many stunning rock pools. Bondi Icebergs and Bronte Pool are popular among locals, but there’s a hidden gem in North Sydney called Mahon Pool. Set on a rock platform overlooking Lurline Bay, this inter-tidal pool is cut into the rock and offers swimmers spectacular views of Wedding Cake Island.
The oldest of the city’s ocean pools, it was originally built in 1884 and is a favourite with children for its gentle wave conditions. But it’s also a place for grown-ups who want to get back to nature and relive their childhood. A shady, tree-lined spot with an inviting sandy bottom, it’s the perfect spot for families who want to spend time together without worrying about tidal changes or dangerous currents.
Another popular swimming spot is Coogee, a family-friendly beachside suburb where the tidal pools are surrounded by the sand and have great views of the ocean. Swimmers can access the Coogee Pool and Wylie’s Baths via a picturesque coastal walking track. It’s also home to McIver’s Ladies Baths, the only women-only ocean pool in Australia, dating from the 1800s.
A bucket of chemicals left in the back of a ute was responsible for a toxic gas leak that sparked panic at one of Sydney’s best-known pool centres yesterday. The centre was evacuated and firefighters are diluting the chemicals in a bid to make it safe for occupants and visitors to return. The incident happened at the YMCA’s Campbelltown Aquatic Centre and staff and guests were taken to local hospitals as a precaution. Fire and Rescue NSW superintendent Adam Dewberry said he believed two chemicals related to pool chlorination and cleaning had been accidentally mixed.
When you’re looking to build your own pool, the Pool + Spa Interiors chapter can help you finish the space with a dazzling mosaic-tiled interior or shimmering crystal aggregate pool lining. The experts in this section can even provide solar pool heating, fresh-water filtration options and other high-tech solutions to keep your pool pristine and sparkling.
