one of the best things about australia is it’s incredible natural landscape. whilst there are many ways to experience it, bathing in nature is one of the most magical ways to connect to the world around you. picture yourself gazing out over seemingly endless bushland from the edge of a cliff, soaking in your own private infinity pool, or floating in a rockpool carved into a figure out by the forces of nature. from rockpools to diving holes under waterfalls, here are five of new south wales’ best.

fairy pool, forster

late last year, word of an enchanted fairy pool broke out on instagram - a hidden pool nestled amongst steep rocks, filled with sparkling turquoise waters. beach goers flocked to this so-called fairy pool on nsw’s north coast in forster. read here for a detailed guide on how to access the magical pool.

ourie rockpool, werri beach

new south wales’ south coast is home to an abundance of rockpools, and ourie rockpool is one of our all time favourites. the pool is actually designed for children, but it’s pretty perfect for ocean-goers, big and small. the fact that it’s designed for children also means it’s one of the safest. tucked away from surf, the pool features a fortified rock wall and sloping, concrete floor.

hidden waterfall, central coast

forest bathing more your thing? just an hour out of sydney lies a hidden waterfall pool deep within brisbane national park. the journey to reach the waterfall and the incredible plunge pool is a little treacherous, but well worth it in the end. photos by paul m features a detailed description on how to reach the secret waterfall pool on their blog.

gibraltar falls, canberra

canberra wouldn’t necessarily be the first place to come to mind when we think of rockpools, but gilbraltar falls is giving us a very good reason to visit the nation’s capital. the trail to the pool is relatively easy, with a well-worn track taking you through bushland. the falls themselves are pretty impressive, and make for a scenic walk to the top of the cliffs where you’ll find a series of rockpools, including a natural infinity pool that sits at the top of the waterfall.

figure 8 pools, royal national park

the figure 8 pools in the royal national park are an incredible natural phenomenon. carved out over time through erosion, the area features a rockpool in the shape of a figure 8, as well as a series of smaller pools to explore. the pools can only be reached through a two-hour hike - but trust us, the trek is well worth it. reward yourself with a refreshing dip to cool off.