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 a section of Western Australia’s (WA) famous Bibbulmun Track as they make their way to the Rocky Pool. Being nestled within WA’s stunning bushland, the Rocky Pool and Kalamunda National Park are still fairly close to the big city. Perth is just 30 minutes away by car.
The accessibility of the national park and pool make it a popular destination for single-day adventures. Aside from swimming, visitors can also enjoy wildlife watching, walking, and mountain biking.
The Rocky Pool in Kalamunda National Park
Kalamunda National Park’s Rocky Pool is created by a clay pit and massive granite boulders. Water running from the creek gathers in the clay pit, giving it a bright turquoise hue, before trickling further down the valley. A gentle cascade at the beginning of the pool works as a therapeutic massage where visitors can relax after the long trek.
With the cascade constantly bringing fresh water into the clay pit, temperatures of the Rocky Pool can fluctuate. However, the water temperature is not too cold and previous visitors often state that the swimming hole is the perfect temperature for cooling off after completing the Rocky Pool Walk.
The Rocky Pool is open year-round. However, visitors should note that from November to May, the pool is often dry due to the sun and extreme heat. The best time to visit the Rocky Pool is from June to October. During the months of June and August, the water in the pool will be flowing nicely, so visitors can see its beautiful turquoise color.
The best swimming time is from September to October, when the pool is at its deepest. During these months, the area is also blanketed with a beautiful array of wildflowers. Although there is typically less rainfall from June to October, visitors should still be cautious about visiting the pool during or after a rainstorm because of steep trails and poor water clarity.
Currently, there are no facilities at the Rocky Pool. Visitors are permitted to picnic in the area, but should note that there are no tables, toilets, or barbecue pits in the area. All trash will have to be carried out. There is a parking lot at the end of Spring Road where visitors can pick up the trail for the Rocky Pool Walk.
Nearby Lodging and Camping
This section contains referral links. If you click through and take action, we may receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. Kalamunda National Park has no overnight accommodations available to visitors. Camping at the Rocky Pool or anywhere within the national park is not permitted. The best places for tourists to find lodging around Kalamunda National Park is in the nearby towns of Kalamunda and Piesse Brook.
A few of the best places to stay near the national park are the Rosebridge House Bed and Breakfast, Hidden Valley Eco Lodges and Day Spa, and the Banksia Tourist Park. All three of these lodging options are within a 15-minute drive to Kalamunda National Park.
The Rosebridge House Bed & Breakfast is an adult-only retreat that has four rooms available to guests. On-site facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, library, and garden.
Another adult-only retreat is the Hidden Valley Eco Lodges & Day Spa. Guests at the lodge can book a luxury room and spa services. Reserve a lodge here within the tranquil Jarrah Forest. They come with kitchens, and king beds, plus each has its own private Jacuzzi located outside.
For a family-friendly place, the Banksia Tourist Park can also accommodate visitors with caravans or RVs. Here, you can rent cabins, chalets, and campsites, with pet-friendly options available. It’s found in Hazelmere, which is nestled at the foot of Gooseberry Hill National Park.
Getting There
Kalamunda National Park is 1.9 miles (3.1km) outside of the town of Kalamunda in Western Australia. Kalamunda is considered to be a suburb of Perth (the capital of the state of Western Australia). Perth is 18.8 miles (30.4km) from the national park.
Once in the national park, the only way to access the swimming hole is by completing the Rocky Pool Walk, which is a looping trail. The trail can be completed in 2-3 hours. A part of the trail merges with the Bibbulmun Track, which runs for 623.3 miles (1,003.1km) through Western Australia.
The Rocky Pool Walk is considered to be a grade 5 trail, which means that it is rated as moderate to difficult. There are very steep sections along the trail that have loose gravel too. With a few trails merging or splitting off from the Rocky Pool Walk, visitors are encouraged to download a map of the trail. Another way to ensure that you are on the right path is to follow the blue trail markers.
There is another Rocky Pool in Western Australia located nearby within John Forrest National Park. This one is the Rocky Pool in Hovea, situated about 11 kilometers to the north of the Rocky Pool in Kalamunda, less than a 30-minute drive.
Details
Address: Bibbulmun Track, Piesse Brook WA 6076, Australia
Coordinates: -23.403400421, 117.642196655
Phone: (+61) 08 9290 6100 – Park Office
Season: Year-round (pool often dry November-May)
Age Restrictions: None
Clothing: Required
Pets: Not permitted
Entry: Free
Website: kalamunda.wa.gov.au/…
Saline Valley Warm Springs – Death Valley, California