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STONE BRIDGE POOL Welcome to our new series on the best wild swimming spots in the Illawarra. First up, author Sally Tertini recommends a dip in Stone Bridge Pool. A natural bridge spans the creek above this lovely pool in Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, creating a charming, sun-drenched spot to spend a lazy day. Far from being barren, the surrounds are a rich mix of heathland and open forest, with a reported 180 species of birds and a profusion of wildflowers in spring. Lamonds Creek flows cool and slow under the old creek bed before cascading into the pool. Pretty slopes, thick with bracken and ferns, fringe its earthy-tasting, dark orange water. There’s also a remarkable 2m-deep pothole in the old creek bed, which makes a perfect pool for one... or two.
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Need to Know
Seclusion: Average Navigation: Easy Descent: 50m Walk-in: 35 mins, 2.1km, easy. From Jamberoo, travel west for 9.2km on Jamberoo Mountain Rd, then turn sharp left into Barren Grounds Nature Reserve. Park in the picnic area and take locked Griffiths Trail gate ahead. Continue along fire trail, following signs to Stone Bridge. After 1km, turn left at signpost marked Stone Bridge 1km. After 2.1km you arrive at a turning circle. Take path left, it’s just another 30m. -34.6863, 150.7190 Wild Swimming Sydney Australia: 250 Best Rock Pools, Beaches, Rivers and Waterholes, by Sally Tertini and Steve Pollard ($32.99, www.wildthingspublishing.com) is out now. 2515
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23/09/2015 2:43 pm