Angourie Blue Pool is a deep, spring-fed swimming hole in an old bluestone quarry near Yamba, a few metres from the ocean. It is free and always open, a short walk from the car park, and closes when blue-green algae is present.
Key facts
- Type
- Natural pool
- Good to know
- Parking
- Facilities and access
- Free; always open; about 100 m paved path from the car park at the end of The Crescent; saltwater rock pool beside it
- Cost
- Free
- Depth
- Very deep, sheer sides
- Lifeguards
- No
- Parking
- Day car park at the end of The Crescent
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Best time to go
- Mornings outside school holidays
- Water quality
- GoodSpooky Beach, 0.3 km away. Sampled 9 Mar. Source: NSW Beachwatch.
- Town
- Angourie (Yamba), NSW
What it's like
The pool fills a quarry cut into the headland at Angourie, south of Yamba. The water is fresh, fed by springs, and clear blue on a sunny day, with sheer rock walls on most sides and a small grassy area for sitting. It is very deep, so it suits confident swimmers. The sea is just over the rocks, with a separate saltwater rock pool next to the quarry.
The quarry supplied stone for the Clarence River breakwalls in the 1890s. When quarrying stopped, it filled with groundwater and became a local swimming spot. The Green Pool, a smaller second quarry, is a short walk further on.
When to go
Mornings are quieter; summer afternoons and school holidays bring crowds. In warm weather blue-green algae can build up and close the pool: council puts signs up on site when that happens, so check before you swim. When it is closed, the ocean rock pool next door is an alternative on calm days.
Getting there and facilities
Park at the day car park at the end of The Crescent, Angourie. Toilets are at the car park, and a short paved path of about 100 m leads to the pool. Overnight parking is not allowed. Yamba is about ten minutes' drive away.
Good to know
There are no lifeguards. Jumping from the rock walls is popular but dangerous: depths change and there are hidden ledges, so it is safer to climb in. No dogs, fires, camping or glass.