Don’t be put off by the huge crowds that can gather here on a hot afternoon: Jellybean Pool, near Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains National Park, is a real gem of a swimming hole.
So-called for its shape, Jellybean Pool is a series of deep swimming holes alongside a lazy bend in Glenbrook Creek. With a gorgeous sandy beach, it’s a real delight for children and pretty easy to get to – only a couple of hundred metres from the main car park and 1km from the park entrance above (easy access for children, albeit with a few steep descents/ascents).
My partner, Jane, was initially dismissive (she hates crowds): we were lucky to get a spot in the overflow carpark on a hot afternoon in late December (i.e. right in the middle of school holidays). But once we found a place in the shade of a small tree, she warmed to the undeniably beautiful nature of the place.
Kids and parents were splashing around in the shallows while testosterone-fuelled boys (and young men) jumped from a rock platform maybe five metres above the water (next to a sign saying ‘No Jumping’). If that sounds a bit too frenetic, a short swim downstream takes you to some large boulders protruding from the creek where you can have relative peace. Our daughter Marilla had a ball, as did her friends when they joined us on our return to Jellybean Pool a couple of months later.
To be honest, I never saw the jellybean shape for which it is named but that didn’t matter too much. If you’re camping at Euroka or just need to cool down on a hot day in the Mountains, this is the place to be.
Handy Hints
- Get there before lunch: the second time we went, we got there a bit before midday and there were still plenty of spaces in the car park; by the time we left, the place was packed (the same applies to Blue Pool a bit further upstream)
- Access is from the lower car park (200-300m walk) or from the main park entrance via the Jellybean Track.
- Be careful with children: there are some sudden drop offs in the pool so always keep an eye on them. Try and work out the deep spots first.
- Make a weekend of it by camping at Euroka Campground: a truly magnificent bush camping experience a few kilometres up road
- Blue Pool is another great swimming hole nearby but it also gets crowded and is not as child friendly – it gets deep very quickly and there is no beach, only rock platforms along the banks
- Dogs (and indeed any other pets) are not allowed in National Parks
- There are no bins down at the pool so please make sure you take your rubbish out with you.
- Please be respectful of this wonderful place and abide by Leave No Trace principles (basically leave the place exactly as you found it – even better, feel free to carry a bit of extra rubbish out with you)
6 Comments
[…] few minutes’ drive (or a longer walk) takes you to two of the Blue Mountains best water holes: Jellybean Pool and Blue […]
Hi is there BBQs there and could you tell me the address entrance
Hi Natasha – sorry for the slow reply. Just got back from holidays. You can find the address via the link in the Handy Hints section (http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/jellybean-track). There’s no BBQ at the pool itself.
No, there’s no bbqs or tables located at jellybean nor blue pool
Can we take dogs to jellybean pool
Hi Zane, I’m afraid not – it’s in a national park and dogs in national parks are a no-go. Check out the NSW National Parks policy for more info.