Bilgola Beach Ocean Pool (7 Jan 2013)

From January 6 to 11 2013 my friend Ann and I walked the Northern Beaches of Sydney, from Barrenjoey Lighthouse to Shelley Beach, Manly. I had wanted to do this trek, part of Sydney's Bicentennial Coastal Walk for some time, with the aim of swimming in all the 14 ocean pools along the way. Here's pool number 4: Bilgola Beach Ocean Pool (7 Jan 2013).

Avalon Bilgola Amateur Swimming Club swims at the Bilgola Rock Pool on Saturday mornings during the summer months. The club was formed in 1961.

In 2010, a man was swimming in the pool, doing his laps, when a coucil worker came along to prepare for the weekly pool cleaning. He opened the outlet valve, and the man was sucked through the pipe and ended up on the sand below. Fortunately he survived, but with cuts due to the rough, barnacle covered interior.

You can read about it here.

Avalon Beach Ocean Pool (7 Jan 2013)

From January 6 to 11 2013 my friend Ann and I walked the Northern Beaches of Sydney, from Barrenjoey Lighthouse to Shelley Beach, Manly. I had wanted to do this trek, part of Sydney's Bicentennial Coastal Walk for some time, with the aim of swimming in all the 14 ocean pools along the way. Here's pool number 3: Avalon Beach Ocean Pool (7 Jan 2013).

Here's an Avalon factoid: In the 1990s, an episode of US TV show Baywatch was filmed at Avalon.

There was some talk of permanently relocating the show to Avalon, but that got stymied due to protests by locals.

Avalon was named in 1921 by a local developer, Arthur Small, after the mythical resting place of King Arthur.

The 25, pool is at the southern end, nestled under the cliff. On the day we visited, the water was warm, but there was a lot of seaweed at the bottom - not a good place to put one's feet down! That did mean it was good for some underwater shots.



The pool is down theat the end of the beach, nestled under the headland



Whale Beach Ocean Pool (7 Jan 2013)

From January 6 to 11 2013 my friend Ann and I walked the Northern Beaches of Sydney, from Barrenjoey Lighthouse to Shelley Beach, Manly. I had wanted to do this trek, part of Sydney's Bicentennial Coastal Walk for some time, with the aim of swimming in all the 14 ocean pools along the way. Here's pool number 2: Whale Beach Ocean Pool (7 Jan 2013).


Whale Beach through one of the pool "portholes



Pool from the rock platform on which it is built





Honeycomb weathering on the rock platform





A carved rock on the rock platform



A father and son watch a passing yacht



The only whale we saw out of season was this mosaic in the women's toilet block



Palm Beach Ocean Pool (6 Jan 2013)

From January 6 to 11 2013 my friend Ann and I walked the Northern Beaches of Sydney, from Barrenjoey Lighthouse to Shelley Beach, Manly. I had wanted to do this trek, part of Sydney's Bicentennial Coastal Walk for some time, with the aim of swimming in all the 14 ocean pools along the way. Here's pool number 1: Palm Beach Ocean Pool.


Lifeguards



Sally, Nola and Ann - Palm Beach is in the background



Sally and Ann with Barrenjoey Head in the beackground



Barrenjoey Head with the lighthouse atop



The water inlet/outlet holes along the side



Wildlife at the pool admiring the view



Prince Alfred Park, Surry Hills

The swimming pool in Prince Alfred Park, Surry Hills, Sydney is being re-developed. It was supposed to open for the summer season this year, which is now. I pass this site nearly every day and have been wondering when it will re-open (It is close enough to use for a lunchtime swim, and will be open year-round).

According to the Sydney City Council website  there have been delays caused by contaminated soil having to be removed from the site, underground services had to be completely replaced, and unprecedented rain last year caused delays. 
It's looking really good...the roof has been planted to create a meadow-effect. Here's a previous blog on this pool.

Fantasy pool, Sunshine Coast, Qld



The ultimate fantasy pool, I think. By Aquatonic Pty Ltd, a Brisbane company. I don't usually show commercial firms etc on this blog but I am blown away by how beautiful this pool and its setting is.