'Incredible' hidden rock pool just two hours from Sydney: 'Hides in plain sight'

If you're an ocean baby and summer lover, but perhaps not one to throw yourself into the swell of big waves, chances are you could be a big old fan of ocean rock pools where you can get the sun, salty water, and the peace of not worrying about drowning.

As a rock pool lover myself but as someone who's a beyond-average swimmer, nothing beats the feeling of being able to dunk your head underwater without worrying about a huge wave crashing over the top of you, or floating on your back peacefully and enjoying the ocean without being taken out by a surfer. If summer road trips are calling your name and you're on a rock pool hunting mission, a little-known spot near New South Wales' Kiama should be high on your list.

The magical South Coast rock pool near Gerringong and Kiama

Away from crowds of Sydney and screaming children down at Bronte Beach's rock pools, lays Campbells Hole just off the the Kiama Coastal Walk, where you can bathe in the stunning rock pool with the ocean providing a perfect backdrop.

A UK couple, who now live in Australia and upload content under the title Walk My World shouted out the stunning spot in a recent Facebook post, "The most incredible rock pool in NSW hides in plain sight just below the Kiama Coastal Track!" they wrote.

And the best news? Unlike the treks taken to get to other hidden gems like the Royal National Park's popular Figure 8 pools, the trek is pretty flat, with a 1.9km return time and a difficulty grading of 'easy'.

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Locals' warning: check the tide times before embarking on your adventure

South Coast locals warned potential hikers and visitors to make sure to check the tide times before enjoying the trek and the beauty of Campbells Hole.

"Check your tide times, once you are in, you can't get out. Not for a number of hours anyway," one person commented, before adding, "In times of low high tides, the water rushes in over the platform creating lovely gushing waterfalls into the rock pool."

The Walk My World team also noted that in their description of the secret swimming spot.

"The most important things to consider when planning your visit to Campbells Hole are the tide and swell. You want to visit within a couple of hours either side of low tide. I always prefer going a couple of hours before low tide, so you know the tide is going out and not coming in - it’s easy to lose track of time at such a special spot," they wrote on their website.

"Though the walk is not long, there is a 350m stretch where you are walking along the rock shelf, so you need to be able to get back from the pool safely.

You also want the swell to be slight so that you don’t get any unexpected waves crashing into the pool. When the tide is low and swell is slight, this is a really relaxing spot. In the wrong conditions tidal pools can be very dangerous."

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The beauty of Campbells Hole

Described as 'idyllic' the pool is full of clear water, with the cliff wall surrounding it and the ocean just beyond it giving it an incredibly dramatic and magical appearance. The couple from Walk My World said on their website they visited the secluded spot during school holidays, and still managed to have it all to themselves for a good hour or so.

The spot is located only a 15 minute drive from Kiama, with the best parking for it being the Werri Beach car park near Gerringong. Both Kiama and Gerringong are brimming with cute coastal shops, ice-cream eateries, pubs, and cafes, so if you're in the area, make sure to stop by and explore the regions and enjoy the south coast hospitality, as well as the other amazing beaches and sights like the Kiama blowhole, Werri Beach, or Surf Beach.

And for the adventurers, you can undertake the Gerringong to Kiama coastal walk if you're a real keen walker, with the trek spanning 20 kilometres of amazing ocean views.

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