The Mylor Weir

I remember reading about it years ago. A place on the Onkaparing River where the river is dammed by a weir to create a lovely spot to have a dip in cool fresh water surrounded by a mixture of reeds, willow, cliff, and gum.

It sounded like magic.

Would it still be there? Would it have been washed away during the 2016 floods?Did the 2016 floods even cause problems this high up in the system, or was it just further downstream?

I spotted it years after first reading about it online by chance on an old paper map. I'm not suggesting that the map was relic-old, but it was pre-1967 as the South Eastern Freeway wasn't shown. It was there on that dusty old map, clear as day: Mylor Swimming Weir.

That was the inspiration that I needed to find it on a more modern map, and to make my way there to see if it was still in place. Finding it was not difficult, nor is it difficult to get to. It was nearly disappointingly easy to find.

Don't expect to be able to drive all the way down the easement in a way that is shown on the digital maps. Walk down the easement. Past the cows (be polite - say hello). Then you're there.

It was cold enough when I first swam there that my head and shoulders were steaming. The I-am-definitely-very-alive feelings that come from very cold water were coursing through me. My skin tingling. My body screaming at me in shock and delight.

The water isn't clear, and there are submerged bits and pieces, so move carefully when you first slide in. If it is a subsequent visit, don't expect things to be in the same place as they were last time. It's a living system that moves and changes.

Don't get dragged over the weir wall by the current. If it's flowing fiercely don't go in.

I don't know whose property is on the other side, and whether they've seen me having a dip in the river. But I think that if I lived near this place I would love to see people find and enjoy it for what it is: A gorgeous nearly-natural swimming pool. An out-of-the-way-enough spot to invite a skinnydip.

It's a lovely spot for a dip and I recommend you hunt it out for yourself. The cliffs that are downstream as the river takes a turn to the right are beautiful and I would love to head down there to explore one day.