Woonona Rock Pool
Woonona's Ocean Pool
Woonona Rock Pool is a 50m, 8 lane lap pool, complete with starting blocks and fancy-looking bathers pavilion. By reputation, one of the coldest ocean pools in the Illawarra, but on the Saturday in October 2023 we visited both Woonona and Bulli Ocean Pools within an hour of each other, our trusty Desmond Duck told us that Bulli was colder by 0.1 of a degree!
Located on the headland known as Collins Point between Bulli Beach to the north and Woonona Beach to the south, Woonona Rock Pool is sandwiched between two other cracking ocean lap pools. At the northern end of Bulli Beach is Bulli Rock pool, less than 2 kms by car, even less if you walk along the sand. Woonona’s nearest neighbour to the south is Bellambi Rock Pool, only 4.6 kms further south. So many options for swimming laps in close proximity, you can easily access any or all of them in a very short space of time by car.
Free Entry
Open 24 hours
No lifeguards on duty
Carpark directly behind pavilion
No barbecue facilities available
Toilets not wheelchair accessible
Open air showers, cold water. Changerooms, cold showers.
No dogs allowed.
Visiting Woonona Ocean Pool
Like most ocean pools, Woonona has a crew of regulars who love the place and regularly punch out laps, regardless of the season.
Years ago I heard that there were a group of older lady swimmers who called themselves the tea bags because they only went for a quick dunk. I would love to know if this is true and if there are any of the tea bags still dipping?
Woonona rock pool is located quite high on the rock platform and that means it isn’t really affected by the tides as much as lots of the other Illawarra ocean pools.
It’s definitely at it’s best when it’s sparkly clean, so try and time your visit with just after the council boys have given it a clean.
Popular in the warmer months for everyone, families enjoy splashing about as much as the lappies enjoy it year round.
Alongside the main Olympic sized swimming pool there is a bather’s pavilion that hosts the changing facilities and allows for a cracking view up and down the coast from it’s roof-top viewing platform.
At the southern end of the pool are the iconic starting blocks. Painted sky blue to match the interior of the pool. Love the extra height you can get for your cannon balls off these beauts.
There are ladders on the western side at the southern end and halfway, with a set of stairs with a rail in the north western corner. The stairs can get a little slippery between council cleans, but were pretty good on our last visit.
There is a set of stairs that leads from the carpark to the pool level at the southern end of the pavilion. At the northern end of the pavilion is a driveway that could provide better access for those with mobility issues, but you can’t park there. You’d have to do a drop off.
The change rooms and toilets are in the pavilion, but it’s up two stairs, so no good for wheel chair access.
On the rock platform to the east of Woonona rock pool, you can still see the remains of the original baths, first built in 1898. It must have been 100m in length. They sure don’t build ’em like that any more!
How much does it cost to swim at Woonona pool?
Free entry
When is Woonona Rock pool open?
Open 24 hours a day, except for cleaning.
Are Lifeguards on duty at Woonona ocean pool?
No lifeguards on duty at Woonona Rock Pool. Lifeguards on duty at nearby Woonona Beach. Check times with Wollongong Council.
Is there Car Parking near Woonona lap pool?
Free parking behind the pavillion, a short walk down stairs or sloping path to the pool.
Are there picnic facilities near Woonona saltwater pool?
No BBQ facilities. Picnic tables located adjacent to Nicholson Park just south of Woonona Surf Life Saving Club.
The park also has children’s play equipment and an outdoor gym.
Is Woonona Pool wheelchair and pram accessible?
The pool level is accessible the driveway on the North side of the pavillion. There is a council gate here that might make wheelchair access more difficult.
Toilet and changeroom are up two steps from the level of the pool.
Pram access to the pool level and plenty of shade under the cover of the pavilion.
How long is Woonona Rock Pool?
50 metres in length, Woonona ocean pool is perfect for doing laps.
Are dogs allowed at Woonona Rock Pool?
Sorry kids, no dogs allowed at Woonona Rock Pool. Fido is going to have to sit this one out.
What are the changeroom and shower facilities like at Woonona Ocean Baths?
Cold showers available in changerooms that offer plenty of space to get changed. Hooks to hang your gear while you get changed.
Twin cold showers by the pool on the north end of the pavilion if you’re brave enough!
