One of the great things about living in Gippsland is that you can go swimming anywhere from the mountains to the sea. Being such a big area as Gippsland is, most parts will have their own little swimming holes that are popular with locals and others who have discovered these gems.
Today I am going to introduce you to two of my favourite freshwater swimming holes in Gippsland. Surprisingly enough they are both located in Briagolong just out of Maffra. Even more surprising is that they are located on the same creek just a few kilometres from each other.
Where is Briagolong Victoria?
Briagolong is located 20 kilometres from Maffra and 270 kilometres east of Melbourne. Briagolong is more of a village than a town. 1 pub, bakery, cafe, shop and an art gallery make up Briagolong. This small town has a rather eclectic feel about it.
What facilities does Briagolong have for visitors?
The community is based around the local pub. The pub is popular with travellers heading into the high country especially towards Dargo. Expect to see
Where are the best swimming spots in Briagolong?
There are 2 great freshwater swimming spots in Briagolong. They are known as the Quarries Reserve and the Blue Pool Reserve. They are both located on the Freestone Creek in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. The Freestone Creek runs off Lees Creek in the mountains and meets up with the Avon R
The Quarries Reserve Briagolong
The Quarry reserve is a brilliant freshwater swimming spot in Gippsland and is a hive of activity on a warm summer day.
Access to the Freestone Creek is available all along the reserve. The main swimming area is located near the shed and the playground area. Here you will find a nice water hole with clear running water.
The car park is above the swimming area and there is a short walk fro the car park to the waters edge.
Where is the Quarry Reserve at Briagolong?
The Quarries Reserve is located 2.6km from Briagolong on the Freestone Creek Road. You wind your way down into the Quarries on a sealed road with speed humps. What opens up before your eyes is a bush setting with giant gum trees rising up, birds chirping and the sounds of the creek running. The Quarries reserve is wedged between the elevated road and the Freestone Creek.
What facilities does the Quarry reserve have for visitors?
The Reserve is split into 2 sections. At one end is a shed with fireplaces and a playground for the kids. The shed has a picnic table inside for limited seating. At the other end of the reserve is the camping area. This area has a few fire pits, picnic table and an exposed shelter to sit and eat under. There are toilets available on site with cold showers.
The Quarry Reserve at Briagolong is a carry in carry out site. Please do not leave any rubbish behind.
Can I camp at the Quarry Reserve?
Camping at the Quarries reserve is $10 a night payable at the local store in Briagolong. One thing you must remember is that the Reserve is a carry-in, carry-out location for rubbish. W
The Blue Pools Briagolong
The Briagolong Blue Pools swimming area is large much larger than the Quarries. As a kid, we used to enjoy jumping off the high rocks into the water at the gorge of the Blue Pools. It used to seem so high with the water so far away. In reality, the jump was about 3.5 meters.
Where are the Blue Pools at Briagolong?
The Blue Pools Briagolong is also located on Free Stone Creek Road. It is a bit further along from the Quarries at around 8.5km from Briagolong. The Blue Pools consists of two separate car parks, free camping area and the Blue Pools swimming hole. Get all your camping gear ideas right here
What facilities does the Blue Pool have for visitors?
The Blue Pools is a popular free canoeing Gippsland site. You will find plenty of space, picnic tables, fire pits and 1 toilet. Yes, just 1 single cubicle for use. The water at Blue Pools gets deep very
The kids of today have taken to using ropes to swing of the trees into the water. The Blue Pools is like a bay of sorts. There is a semi-circle of sand and rocks that ring the water with a tiny creek flowing to the side as the hills rise directly up creating a gorge
Can I camp at the Blue Pools?
The campground is dirty and dusty just to be warned with very little grass and again it is a carry-in, carry out site.
Are there bushwalks at Blue Pools in Briagolong?
There are some amazing bushwalks that start off from the car park. The Bluff Walk is short but leads off on a steep rise to the top of the gorge.
The Peregrine Lookout is a little more serious. The circuit from Blue Pool to the Peregrine lookout takes about an hour return. The lookout is aptly named after the Peregrine Falcon. The Falcon nests nearby from September to December each year
Insiders tip to swimming at Briagolong:
On the road between the Quarries and the Blue Pools is another swimming spot. It is virtually unknown to many. There are no facilities and no car park.
It is called the Blue Mark. You may see a faint blue circle on a tree and dirt shoulder on the side of the road. There is a narrow bush track that winds its way down the hill to the Blue Mark. The Blue Mark is another quality swimming spot on the Freestone Creek
Looking for something to do this weekend? If the weather is hot get in the car and visit these two great Gippsland Freshwater swimming spots.
We hope this article from us here at Travels in Gippsland has you inspired to visit swimming spots in Briagolong. For more amazing ideas on where to holiday in Gippsland click through to our Free Camping in Gippsland page for more places to visit
Some more travel inspiration for your trip to Gippsland
About the Author
Mark has grown up and lived in the Gippsland area all his life. Being born and raised in Gippsland he knows a thing or 2 about this amazing region. When Mark is not working he is out exploring the best of Gippsland with his wife and kids
Please STOP advertising this especially the FREE CAMPING part or there will be no blue pool ( no s) left, just a polluted sewer. It is not big enough to cater for hoards of campers, and that is exactly what we get now that this ‘best kept secret’ is out of the bag. A disgusting mess is left each summer with dirty disposable nappies and human faeces floating in the pool.
Pretty sure it was well out of the bag before I published this article. I believe one of the Melbourne papers featured it 12 months ago.
Also, why is the campground dirty and dusty? Because hoards of campers destroyed the grass!!