Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool

There has been swimming on this part of Woolloomooloo Bay for nearly 200 years, with the first bathing enclosure established at the 'Fig Tree' site in around 1825. Sydney's first free public baths were later built here in 1858, followed by the Domain Baths in 1908. The pool takes its current name from Andrew 'Boy' Charlton, who raced Swedish world-record holder Arne Borg here in 1924 before winning Olympic gold in the 1,500m freestyle in Paris later that year. The modern 50m pool opened in 1968 and now projects out over the bay on steel supports.

Considering it's the middle of a weekday in March, the pool is busy, with several good swimmers in every lane. A steady crosswind takes the edge off the scorching sun, but I'm keen to get in and get going!

Complete a relatively quick 2km, especially for a 50m pool, then head off for a walk around the bay towards the Sydney Opera House via Mrs Macquarie's Chair.