Sight · Royal National Park
A broad creek swim worth the steep, rocky walk.
Overview
Olympic Pool is a broad natural swimming hole on Kangaroo Creek, downstream of Karloo Pool. Sandstone shelves and gum trees close around the water, making this a proper bush swim rather than a roadside dip. I’d come if the swim is the point of your walk; this takes a rough approach. The direct route from Bottle Forest Road is about 5.3 km return, with a steep, rocky descent.
Parkwolf’s verdictWorth the walkMap
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Royal Tour Guide
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Guide
From Bottle Forest Road, follow Bottle Forest Track, take the steep side path down to Kangaroo Creek, then continue downstream to the pool. The longer circuit from Heathcote passes Karloo Pool first, then follows a worn creekside path; it’s about 8.6 km and passes several smaller pools along the way. The creek section is rougher and less clearly marked than a standard walking track.
A small rock shelf drops to a broad platform beside the pool. Water gets deep beyond the shallower edge, and the usable rock changes with the water level. Mossy and wet slabs can be slippery, so take care on the final climb down. There are no toilets or drinking water at the pool; treat it as a self-supported walk.
The local explanation for the informal name is the pool’s size; it’s a natural creek basin, not a built swimming facility. On a calm day, the water reflects the rock walls and gum trees around it. The wide rock shelves make the pool easy to take in from the bank before you get in.
Wildlife
56 sightingsHumpback WhaleMost seen around 11 AMSighting map
68 sightingsWhite-bellied Sea-EagleMost seen around 9 AMSighting map
12 sightingsKoalaMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
33 sightingsJavan RusaMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
69 sightingsShort-beaked EchidnaMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
11 sightingsRed FoxMost seen around 5 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Royal. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ModerateBottle Forest Track to Karloo Pool1.6 km · 45 min · 1.6 km awayA narrow bush track drops from a junction to Karloo Pool.
ModerateKangaroo Creek Pool via Parklands Trail and Engadine Track5.8 km · 2.3 hr · 1.8 km awayA rock pool after a 5.8 km out-and-back bushwalk.
ChallengingHeathcote to Audley10.1 km · 4.5 hr · 2 km awayKarloo Pool and Uloola Falls split up this long one-way walk.ModerateKarloo Pools Walk5.4 km · 2.5 hr · 2.1 km awayA rocky creek walk to a deep swimming hole beneath sandstone cliffs.ModerateKarloo walking track10 km · 4 hr · 2.1 km awayCarry the Karloo Pool walk on to Uloola Falls.
ModerateHeathcote to Waterfall via Uloola Falls11 km · 5 hr · 2.1 km awayTwo swimming spots reward a one-way walk between rail stations.
ChallengingHeathcote to Engadine via Audley15.2 km · 6.5 hr · 2.1 km awayTake two stations through pools, falls and sandstone ridges.
ModerateWillow Tree to Calala Hike10.5 km · 4 hr · 3.8 km awayAn old river road past sandstone, horse troughs and Calala’s beach.
Sight · 1.1 km awayUloola TurretsA sandstone outcrop detour if you’re already walking the Karloo track.Sight · 1.2 km awayKarloo PoolA clear pool worth the steep walk back uphill.
Campground · 1.6 km awayUloola Falls CampgroundAn overnight beside the falls, earned on foot.Sight · 1.6 km awayUloola FallsA walk-in waterfall best seen after rain.
Sight · 2.5 km awayKangaroo PoolA rock-walled creek pool with a small waterfall.
Picnic area · 3.6 km awayWattle Forest Picnic AreaTake lunch to the Hacking River and linger under the trees.
Picnic area · 4 km awayCurrawong Flat Picnic AreaA shady river picnic with paddling, fishing and free barbecues.
Restaurant · 4.2 km awayAudley Dance Hall CafeCoffee and a river-view veranda in a 1949 dance hall.Parkwolf’s Royal ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
