You may be familiar with the popular pool that flanks the Surf Life Saving Club on the South side of Coogee beach. You might also be familiar with the McIver’s Ladies Baths – a women’s-only ocean refuge hidden in the cove a little further up.

But Wylie’s Baths is a little more discreet. It’s one of Sydney’s oldest and most beautiful tidal pools but it’s overlooked by many Coogee-goers for sandier pastures. We can’t imagine why. The blue and orange paneling just screams coastal vintage – as do the crowds of retirees found bathing here at all times of the week.

Inner Westies have grown up swimming down at ‘Dawny’ longer than any other pools in the city. Open during the spring and summer months, its most recent facelift was unveiled in 2021 and weekend crowds are still thicker than ever, cementing it as one of the best swimming spots in Sydney.

Paying homage to champion swimmer Dawn Fraser, the glorious tidal saltwater pool is located at the base of Elkington Park, offering netted harbour dips, a small beach perfect for little ones, a kiosk and plenty of unshaded restored decking to sloth upon.

You’ll smell the hot chips laced with chicken salt before you even reach this secret swimming spot in Sydney’s North Shore, which rolls out a string of true-blue kiosk classics as city views twinkle in the distance. You’ll need to get right to the tip of Greenwich Point to find the place. There’s a bit of street parking but if the sun’s cranking ditch the car and hop on a train to Wollstonecraft Station.

You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d been given the wrong directions to Kutti Beach in Vaucluse as literal coastal holes in the wall are pretty hard to come by. Nestled at the end of Wharf Road, Kutti is accessible by a narrow set of stairs between a beach box and a white picket fence.

Most people who come to this hidden harbor oasis, hands down one of the best swimming spots in Sydney, are locals, many of whom have houses backing onto the sand. It’s also a popular dog beach for the area, so don’t be surprised if you see one paddling next to you while you’re taking a dip.

While a little harder to get to than many of its listicle counterparts, Great Mackerel Beach more than rewards those who make the journey. To access this truly secluded paradise, one must make the journey to the far more populated Palm Beach.

Once there, book a ferry or water taxi to Great Mackerel Beach. After a glacial ten minutes by boat, you’ll find a place with no roads, no cars, patchy internet access, extensive bush walks, impossibly beautiful beaches and just 40 permanent residents. All this just 43 km from the city.

Take your phone to the pool with you when you’re taking a dip — the views at this unbelievable swimming spot are pure world-class and you’ll want to capture them.Better still, there’s 33 metres of water to be swum plus it’s open all year round which means it doubles as a million-dollar picnic spot no matter the season.

The Resolute Track, located in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is a sight to behold. Not only will it take you to two major Indigenous Australian sites, but also to the secluded Resolute Beach – a small stretch of sand flanked by bushland, calm water and practically nobody else.

A swim in the emerald green water will grant panoramic views of The Barrenjoey Headland and Pittwater. And for an even more exclusive experience, check out the neighbouring West Head Beach.

Leave your car at the Glenbrook Information Centre and start the short journey downhill to Jellybean Pool , passing lush foliage and sandstone cliffs along the way. Once you’re well and truly warmed up, you’ll be more than deserving of a dip in the calm waters.

Many veterans bring lilos to help them lounge the day away, too. Alternatively, bring a picnic blanket for one of the sandy patches, or lie back in the shady gumtrees at one of the best swimming spots located just over an hour out of the city.

Housed in a well-established National Park, spend your day lazing on inflatables, paddling to your heart’s content or jumping off a popular four-metre rock face.

While there isn’t much of a beach in the traditional sense, there are certainly spots to sit and lounge. We suggest bringing your own towel or picnic blanket to make a day out of one of the best swimming spots in Sydney, right near Penrith and Camden.

A netted portion of Sydney Harbour provides calm and scenic swimming conditions, making it a huge hit with parents and toddlers. There’s also a jetty where older kids love to launch off from and there’s a section that allows for dogs to frolic off-leash so make sure you arrive early – it’s a local favourite.

Housed next to Central station within Prince Alfred Park, the 50-metre lap pool is designed to match its surroundings so well that if you’re passing from the road, you may never spot it. This iconic facility also offers beaming overhead sun, a toddler splash pad and a large, shaded area. On weekends, it comes alive with swimmers and unwinders from all demographics, happily sharing this urban oasis cleverly sheltered from the outside world.

A popular climbing area, the dam is good for a lazy inflatable float, low-key swim or adrenaline-filled cliff jump. And while not exclusively adults-only, the jagged cliff edges and lack of patrol don’t make for kid-friendly conditions.

To get there, drive up through Clarence and turn right over crossing the bridge over the railway. Past the turn off to the Colliery.

As million-dollar yachts bobble against the city skyline, tranquil swimming conditions attract young families, serious sunbakers and chilled locals, making the whole experience beyond glamorous. There’s a great kiosk as you climb your way back up the stairs to reward the thirsty work you’ll put in getting there.

With scenic harbour views, and a location nestled between North Head and Little Manly Cove, you’ll wonder why you’ve never heard of this paradise before. There are only two car spots for parking, which makes it a bit of gamble for far-flung visitors.

For those on foot, you can start your walk from Manly Beach, walking around North Head, past the equally beautiful Shelly Beach.

If Collins Flat isn’t secluded enough for your liking, this neighbouring beach may be right up your alley. Store Beach is only accessible by water, meaning you’ll need to find a kayak or boat if you want to get there.

The former of which can be hired in Manly’s centre. Pack lunch, water and plenty of sunscreen, then make the journey. You’ll feel like your on your own desert island.

While Bungan Beach doesn’t lack anything in scale (it’s 600-metres in length) it does lack in visitors. This might have something to do with how hard it is to get to.

There’s a long, steep hill standing between you and the water, fronted by rock platforms between Bungan and Mona Vale heads. Accessible via walking down the steep private driveway (Myola road) to the clubhouse – but due to the lack of parking, the beach is rarely crowded.

Bungan is mostly populated by surfers, with waves averaging about 1.5 meters high.