South Australia’s Swimming Holes

Are you are South Australian traveller looking for the state’s best swimming holes? That’s a bit weird mate, but I get it because I’ve written a whole article about it! Who doesn’t love a good swimming hole? Everyone knows we’ve got fantastic South Australian beaches but let’s have a look at some secluded swimming holes that you might not know about.

Blinman Pools, Flinders Ranges

The Ikara-Flinders Rnages National Park is a beautiful spot and one of my personal favourites to visit on a weekend trip or week-long travel. Blinman Pools is a hidden waterhole that requires a 12km return hike to get to! Starting from the Angorichina Village you explore the bushland of the Flinders Ranges to get to this gorgeous spot teeming with wildlife and this hidden South Australian swimming hole!

The Blue Pool, Shell Beach, Innes National park

If you’ve ever wondered “where are the rock pools in Innes National Park?” then you’re not alone. Many have heard the tales but it’s not on the Innes National Park map! The Blue Pool is located on Shell Beach. Walk this gorgeous beach till the end where you’ll find a bunch of rocks. Follow the rocks to the next headland and hop some rocks for a while until you find this secluded gorgeous swimming hole! Innes National Park is located on Yorke Peninsula and this makes for a perfect weekend trip.

Dalhousie Springs Outback, South Australia

Located in Witjira National Park in the Simpson Desert, this is probably one of the most remote swimming holes you can find. The main pool in this spring is a large thermal pool and is the designated swimming hole. Surrounded in wetland this place is ideal to stay overnight as the trip is very very long from Adelaide!

Talia Cave Rock Pools, South Australia

Talia Cave is located on Eyre Peninsula and features some incredibly strange rock pools. These almost perfectly circular rock pools are scattered around the cave and make for some awesome photographs!

Whalers Way Swimming Hole, Eyre Peninsula

Whalers Way is a privately-owned property which is a must-visit if you’re exploring Eyre Peninsula. This spot has tonnes of lookouts and history and well worth the drive from Port Lincoln. To get there you have to take a terrifying ladder down a cliff face (not for a scared). This place is super off-grid and is not touristy at all so makes for a really secluded swimming hole for you to enjoy.

Hillocks Drive Station, Yorke Peninsula

Known as Annie’s Nursery this little spot is an inredible hidden gem that not even Yorke Peninsula residents know about! Close to Butler’s Beach you get off South Coast Road to Hillocks Drive. Follow the road to Coffin Beach and then keep going till you get till the next right takes you to Annie’s Nursery. This is a secret swimming hole on South Australia that you’ll have to visit!

Point Ellen, Vivonne Bay, Kangaroo Island

Close to Vivonne Bay this hidden treasure of South Australia is easy to find but being on Kangaroo Island makes it reasonably unvisited. Point Ellen Rock Pool is right by Vivonne Bay which is literally voted as one of the best beaches in Australia! So the trip out here ticks two things off your South Australia bucket list!

Coward Springs, Outback

You don’t need to be brave to get into Coward Springs. This day spa is located in the middle of the outback on the Oodnadatta Track. This dry landscape features a natural spring and will give you a much needed cool-down in the outback! The springs are by a campground so you can be sure to travel to the world’s most remote springs (maybe? don’t quote me) and enjoy my personal favourite South Australian swimming hole.

Pool of Siloam, Limestone Coast

Seven times saltier than the sea, you read that right) the water of the Pool of Siloam is very very buoyant and perfect for whatever floats your boat (the joke is anything will float in there). This place is famous for locals and it is located very closely to Salmon Beach. It’s protected by a reef so the water should be calm and great for swimming. If you ever take a trip to Mount Gambier then be sure to swing by this awesome South Australian swimming hole!

Greenly Beach Rock pool, Eyre Peninsula

If you’re a swimming hole enthuasiast (who isn’t?) then I’m sure you know about this one. But on the off chance you aren’t a holey swimmer (term for swimming hole experts) then I recommend Greenly Beache’s Rock Pool. It’s a gorgeous swimming hole located close to Coulta on the Eyre Peninsula. You’ll take a 10km dirt road to get there but luckily it’s no hike from the road to the swimming hole.

Little Blue lake, Limestone Coast

I put this last as I’m not sure if this makes the list but The Little Blue Lake is technically a swimming hole in South Australia. I would argue it’s more of a Sinkhole, speaking of, check out our article on the best sinkholes in South Australia!