Freshwater Rockpool

Next up, ten minutes south along the coast to Freshwater.

Another Sydney suburb, another 50 m ocean pool. These are so much more interesting than your average swim.

Following the coast road, I spot a pool ahead. Apple Maps says we're nearly there — this must be it. Nope, it's South Curl Curl Rockpool, which looks just as good. There is a North and a South Curl Curl Rockpool; both go on the list for next time. I continue a couple of minutes and arrive at the Freshwater car park just above the pool. Pay and display sorted, then head toward the water.

No proper changing rooms here, so it's a quick change in the toilet (not exactly a changing room), then down the steps to poolside.

The pool sits on the northern end of Freshwater Beach and looks straight across to the sandstone cliffs that frame the headlands on either side. It's quite a view.

This is the fifth swim of the day. I plan another 1200 m to bring the day total to 6 km. The pool is a bit busier than the Isa Wye pool — a mix of lap swimmers and kids playing. The water feels a touch warmer.

Push off and make a start. The visibility in the water isn't great, so it's a surprise when a yellow fin suddenly appears right in front of me. I'm occasionally sighting as I swim due to the low visibility, but I don't see the kids criss‑crossing the pool with their snorkel gear — I don't think the other lap swimmers see them either. A parent shouts to a kid to stick to the near side and stay out of the path of people swimming up and down.

On the next lap I see why they're crossing the pool: the fill pump kicks in and a strong jet of water pours into the shallow end. The kids are body surfing the stream. I don't blame them — it looks like fun. The slight interruption makes the watch drop a lap at the 550 m mark. I pause, make up the missing length, then start again.

Swim done. No proper changing rooms, but there is a shower on poolside. I rinse the salt off and head back into the city for an evening walk to see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge lit up at night.