How to find this hidden waterhole just five minutes from popular Aussie tourist town
Updated . First published at
Less than two hours from Sydney, the Blue Mountains have long been a favourite weekend escape for city dwellers seeking fresh air and dramatic cliff-top views.
Instead of just visiting the Three Sisters and calling it a day, there's plenty more to be explored. Enter LostMnts – the adventure photographer behind two stunning new guidebooks, Swim and Camp.
The local legend has shared some of their favourite spots with 9Travel, from hidden swimming holes to cliff-top camping.
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Tinted Pools are easy to get to. Supplied
Read on to get some summer holiday exploration inspo - and always remember to pack plenty of water and sunscreen!
Tinted Pools, Wombeyan Caves
Wombeyan Caves boasts majestic caverns and pristine crystal-clear waterholes. And the best part? It's only a 45ish-minute walk, along a well-signposted route.
One highlight is swimming below the mesmerising teardrop-shaped Tinted Cave – where else can you swim in a gorge with a looming dragon's tear dangling above you?
Plus the journey to get there, through picturesque landscapes and state forest, is an adventure in itself.
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Take a dip in the Leura Jungle. Supplied
Leura Jungle Waterhole, Leura
The Pool of Siloam is a popular spot near Leura, but it hides a secret. Just a three-minute walk downstream will take you into the lush jungles of Leura, where this refreshing waterhole awaits.
The walk leads through lush ferns and past pools of water, turning a simple stopover into a jungle adventure just a short walk from familiar trails.
With barely any hike needed, you can pack a picnic or bring a coffee for a leisurely morning.
There's an amazing view from Phantom Point. Supplied
Phantom Point, Wentworth Falls
Just a 15-minute drive from Katoomba, this spot offers breath-taking views, perfect for morning coffee or golden-hour photography.
You'll need a 4WD to handle the last steep 10 metres, then follow the small path behind the main area to find a quiet lookout.
Mount Solitary is a three-day hike. Supplied
Mount Solitary, Katoomba
Mount Solitary offers one of the most thrilling and rewarding hikes and camps in the Blue Mountains, where adventure meets breath-taking views at every turn.
It's a three-day, 34km loop, with scenic mountain views, historic heritage, and the great Aussie bush.
Jupiter Falls is a hidden waterfall pool. Supplied
Jupiter Falls, Mount Wilson
This short and sweet 3.1-kilometre return hike offers an exciting mix of creek walks and light scrambling leading to a stunning waterfall deep in the canyon. Here, towering rock walls covered in moss look straight out of Jurassic Park.
Take a dip in the small swimming hole at the bottom of a double-drop cascade.
Ruined Castle is a great hike. Supplied
Ruined Castle Campground, Katoomba
For hikers chasing a quieter trail with big payoffs, Ruined Castle offers one of the most rewarding overnight hikes in the Blue Mountains.
Tucked away in the heart of the region, this campground provides a fantastic overnight escape with five designated sites available. If you're keen to try an overnight hike, this is a great one.
Camp in the splendour of Hampton State Forest. Supplied
Hampton State Forest, Oberon
This one is for the adventurers, as you'll need a 4WD to access the best parts of the area, including the campground.
Surrounded by towering pines and native bushland, it offers privacy and an authentic back-to-nature experience. The nearby Hampton Pub offers hearty meals for a relaxing end to an active day outdoors.
Fantasia is a stunning clifftop pool. Supplied
Fantasia, Blackheath
This spot is legendary - a cliff-top waterhole with incredible views down into the Grose Valley. It's a short and scenic 15-minute hike away, but to reach the spot you'll need to jump in for a brief 15-metre swim through icy water nicknamed 'the freezer'.
But it is worth it!
Before heading to any of these locations, LostMtns recommends you always visit nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/alerts to check for closures, and bom.gov.au for weather updates.
LostMtns' books, Swim and Camp, highlight over 500 hidden locations across the region. Each spot features QR codes linking to live mapping.
