Bitter Springs – Mataranka, NT, Australia

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With crystal clear and warm water, Bitter Springs has become a top attraction in Australia’s Elsey National Park. Tucked into the palms and tropical woodlands, the pool emerges like an oasis from the treeline. The breathtaking clarity of the water means that you can see straight to the bottom and along the length of the …

Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool – NSW, Australia

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Combining a man-made pool with a naturally fed spring, the Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool has become the main attraction in Australia’s Kosciuszko National Park. The perfect place to relax after a long bushwalk, visitors can enjoy the pool’s warm waters. Sitting along the edge, the pool is backdropped by an impressive forest with hiking trails, …

Serpentine Falls – Serpentine NP, WA Australia

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Just south of Perth, Serpentine National Park is a stunning destination where visitors can leave the noise of the city behind and swim at the base of a thundering waterfall. Note though that this is just an Australian swimming hole and not fed by any natural springs. Escape into the calm landscapes of Western Australia’s …

Molly Springs (Galjiba) – Kununarra, WA, Australia

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Molly Springs, also referred to as Galjiba Springs, is located within the Ngamoowalem Conservation Reserve. Because this pool at its base is spring-fed, it’s a permanent fixture all year long in Western Australia. Small in size, the pool at Molly Springs can get crowded with many locals and tourists descending on the area to cool …

Middle Springs (Mayiba) – Kununurra, WA, Australia

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Part of a series of waterfalls, Middle Springs, also known as Mayiba Springs, is located in the Ngamoowalem Conservation Reserve in Western Australia. As one of eight waterfalls, visitors can scramble up the rocks to reach the next pool and view all of the cascades. The Middle Springs sits at the end of all the …

Rocky Pool – Kalamunda NP, Piesse Brook, WA, Australia

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Tucked into the Perth Hills in Kalamunda National Park, the Rocky Pool is a stunning freshwater swimming hole, surrounded by large boulders, colorful seasonal wildflowers, and an array of local wildlife. It’s accessible by a 3.1-mile (5km) long walking trail through nature and is not spring-fed. Visitors will also get the chance to trek along …

Rocky Pool – John Forrest NP, Hovea, WA, Australia

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Set in the rugged landscape of the John Forrest National Park, the Rocky Pool is a well-known swimming and hiking hotspot. Formed by the Jane Brook, a series of pools sit along the river and are fed by small rapids (and not spring-fed). A hotspot for locals, the Rocky Pool is gaining attention as more …

Paralana (Radioactive) Hot Springs – Arkaroola, SA, Australia

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The Paralana Hot Springs in South Australia are one of only a few active radioactive hot springs in the world. Not suitable for swimming, visitors can instead view the radioactive pools and enjoy the landscapes of the Flinders Ranges. Far from the beaten path, the remoteness of the hot springs means that not many tourists …

Coward Springs Campground Natural Spa – Stuarts Creek, SA, Australia

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In the Outback of Southern Australia, the Coward Springs Campground Spa is a small bore bath where travelers along the Oodnadatta Track can relax at a true oasis. Located in the middle of nowhere, the campground and spa are situated in a unique wetland habitat that sits on the edge of the desert. Restored and …

Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Park – Stuarts Creek, SA, Australia

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In South Australia’s remote Outback landscape, the Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park protects the cultural landscape of the Arabana Aboriginal people. It’s home to two hot springs, Blanche Cup Spring and the Bubbler Spring. Deriving its name from the Arabana language, the conservation park is famous for its network of mound springs and wetlands. …

Aguas Termales Don Alfonso – Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua

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Unknown to most foreign travelers, but widely popular with locals, the Aguas Termales Don Alfonso is located in far Northern Nicaragua, close to the border of Honduras. Quiet and secluded, the hot springs are set within the Nicaraguan jungle. Hot water flows from a magma chamber beneath the earth and boils to the surface. Part …

Burren Junction Hot Springs – NSW, Australia

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One of the more rural bathing spots on Australia’s Great Artesian Drive is the Burren Junction Hot Springs. Sourced from the Great Artesian Basin, these bore baths were first created naturally in 1921. The town then sealed the drains to create the pools, which have turned into popular bathing spots for locals and tourists. Providing …

Great Artesian Spa – Mitchell, QLD, Australia

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Australia’s Great Artesian Drive is a popular attraction that spans 362 miles (583km) across multiple territories. One of the stops along the way is the Great Artesian Spa in Mitchell, Queensland. A large facility, there are two pools within the complex. One pool is cooler and one is heated with water drawn from the Great …

Goodooga Artesian Springs – NSW, Australia

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Fed by mineral-rich waters from the Great Artesian Basin, the Goodooga Artesian Springs brings a complete oasis to the Australian Outback. A new complex that opened just a few years ago on the edge of a small town, these springs are becoming famous for their accessible and family-friendly facilities. Highly sought after to cure ailments …

Millstream Chichester National Park – WA, Australia

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In Western Australia’s Pilbara Region, the Millstream Chichester National Park is a stunning natural attraction that is famous for its lush forests, pristine streams, and spring-fed waterholes. Often described as an “oasis in the heart of the desert”, this national park is recognized as one of the best places to camp in the Pilbara Region. …

Howard Springs Nature Park – NT, Australia

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Originally rest and recreation camps for Australian and American military personnel during World War II, the Howard Springs Nature Park has been converted into an outdoor recreation area that is open to the public. Visitors to the nature park can enjoy swimming, walking, picnicking, and playing. Explore and interact with the monsoon forests and woodland …

Talaroo Hot Springs – QLD, Australia

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The Talaroo Hot Springs, which opened in June 2021 is one of the newest thermal attractions in Queensland, Australia. One of only two mound springs in the entire country, the pools at Talaroo are extremely hot and part of a unique geothermal system. Furthermore, the hot springs have been named an Indigenous Protected Area and …

Buley Rockhole – Litchfield National Park, NT, Australia

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In Northern Australia, set in the picturesque Litchfield National Park is the Buley Rockhole swim spot. A series of deep pools that flow through a rocky section of the river, this swimming hole has become one of the most popular places to visit outside of the capital city of the Northern Territory, Darwin, which is …

Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort – Noosa Heads, QLD, Australia

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One of the best resorts on Australia’s famous Sunshine Coast is the Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort. Located in the coastal town of Noosa Heads in Queensland, this resort is a short distance from major attractions including Sunrise Beach, Lake Weyba, and Noosa National Park. Onsite, the resort is renowned for its 18-hole championship …

Ellendale Pool – WA, Australia

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One of the best lesser-known and hidden swimming spots in Western Australia is the Ellendale Pool. Naturally formed along the Greenough River, but not spring-fed, the Ellendale Pool sits on a large river bend. The pool is surrounded by gum trees and backdropped on one side by a rocky gorge. Located just outside of the …