Punchbowl

The walk down to Punchbowl is nearly as good as the swim when you get there. There is plenty of wildlife. Kangaroos, koalas, emus, and echidnas have all been spotted. The dream is to spot a platypus there, but I can't imagine that will ever happen.

Punchbowl works as a swimming spot in summer or winter. The waterlevel is a bit lower in summer, and it definitely has a slower-flowing feel, but it's not stagnant. I prefer winter because you're less likely to bump into people.

The first time I went it was raining, and it was so beautiful.

I would recommend parking by the big firewater tanks a bit north-east of the official Punchbowl Lookout carpark. There's a fork about three-quarters of the distance. If you want to see the view in the photo above, go left. If you want to get to the swimming spot, keep right.

The water is fresh and cool. There are small birds that I want to call swallows swooping around catching bugs and sometimes bouncing themselves on the surface of the stream. Bigger birds of prey can be spotted circling above occasionally.

It's one of my favourite swimming spots. I recommend you hunt it out for yourself.

Some more photos below.