Top 10 North Brisbane Swimming Pools, Waterholes & Beaches

#1. Settlement Cove Lagoon, Redcliffe

This is a popular destination for families to cool off overlooking Moreton Bay. The man-made pool features water play areas for little ones, wading areas and a deeper lagoon. Settlement Cove Lagoon is wheelchair accessible and equipped with a beach shower and plenty of barbecue and picnic facilities.

#2. Suttons Beach, Redcliffe

Enjoy the refreshing sea breezes while swimming at this low-key, patrolled beach. Right next to Suttons Beach in the parkland, you will find shelters, a fully fenced playground, shady trees and picnic areas.

#3. Rocky Hole, Mt Mee

If you’re looking for truly tucked away, natural rock swimming pools only accessible by 4WD you can’t go past Rocky Hole. Access is via one of the Mount Mee 4WD tracks through D'Aguilar National Park. From the car park on Neurum Creek Road (8km from The Gantry) there is a 200m walking track with stairs to get to the waterhole and waterfall, which is especially stunning after it has rained.

This is also a fun place to rock hop, so bring your walking shoes.

#4. Stony Creek, Bellthorpe

Part of The Conondale Ranges, placid Stony Creek flows through Bellthorpe National Park. To reach the Stony Creek Day Use Area, follow the signs along Fletcher Road, west of Woodford. There are also some excellent mountain bike tracks beginning at Stony Creek Day Use Area, so take along your mountain bike and cool off in the creek at the end.

#5. Lake Samsonvale, Joyner

This is a beautiful place to picnic and spend some time by the waterside enjoying views across the D'Aguilar Ranges. The foreshores are dotted with barbecue areas, playgrounds and picnic tables in a few locations such as Bullocky Rest, Forgan Cove and McGavin View. The area provides habitat for a diverse array of native wildlife, so bring along binoculars for a bit of bird watching while you're here.

Swimming is not permitted at Lake Samsonvale (North Pine Dam) as it is the drinking water supply to the local area, but you can engage in watersports on certain days if you hold the appropriate permit.

#6. Northbrook Gorge

Summer is the perfect time to swim, wade and through this little-known and well-hidden hiking track. Northbrook Gorge in Dundas, part of the D'Aguilar National Park is a must for anyone who loves river bed walking, as well as ankle-deep and waist-high wading. There are several rock pools along the journey with the longest measuring about 15 to 20 metres. The large, almost crystal clear, rock swimming pool, complete with a short waterfall, found in the second gorge, is breathtaking! As this is truly a hidden treasure, make sure you do your research to find out exactly how to get there.

#7. Bongaree Beach and Jetty, Bribie Island

The Bongaree Beach area is a family friendly spot to keep cool in the gentle waters of Pumicestone Passage. Bribie Island is only a short drive across the Sandstone Point bridge. Catch some fish on Bribie to grill at home, or enjoy fish and chips for dinner along Welsby Parade while watching the sunset over the Glasshouse Mountains.

#8. Bunya Crossing Reserve, Eaton's Hill

For natural rock swimming pools closer to the city, visit Bunya Crossing Reserve waterhole. This cool, watery retreat on the South Pine River backs onto Bunyaville Conservation Park. It is easily accessible for small children and there are picnic tables dotted beneath the trees. BYO canoe, or kayak.

Gates to the reserve open at sunrise and close at sunset.

#9. Young's Crossing, Petrie

This section of the North Pine River is one of Moreton Bay Region’s popular spots for kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. From here it is a treat to paddle upstream as far as Grant Street, or downstream to Sweeney Reserve and AJ Wyllie Bridge.

#10. Neurum Creek, Neurum

It is possible to camp at this beautiful spot surrounded by Aussie bush within D'Aguilar National Park. The Neurum Creek Camping area is equipped with cooking and bathroom facilities onsite, so the kids can enjoy playing all day long in and around the creek.