SWIMMING FOR FREE WITH A MILLION-DOLLAR VIEW

Located by the harbour at Cremorne on Sydney’s north shore is Sydney’s most beautiful pool. From its decks you enjoy panoramic views of Sydney Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. This majestic pool is open day and night throughout the year, and best of all it’s completely free to use. How good is that!

The first pool located here was constructed by an Olympic swimmer, Fred Lane, in the early 1900s like many at the time as a simple harbour side rock pool. Fred Lane was the first Australian Olympic swimmer, who competed at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris. The swimming events for this Olympics were held in the Seine River where Fred won two gold medals. This success made him the first Australian Olympic swimming champion. His time in the 200m freestyle was a record that stood for an astounding 68 years!

The pool was named after Hugh Maccallum, who was a respected local. He was responsible for uniting the community and raising the money to pay for the pool’s development during the 1920s. He collected funds through annual membership fees. A membership at the time cost five shillings per year. This included a badge bearing the red initials ‘CPB’.

The pool was eventually taken over by the North Sydney Council in the 1930s and renamed to Hugh J Maccallum pool in recognition of his contribution.

Maccallum Pool can be easily reached from Cremorne Point ferry wharf. It’s open day and night, however as it is filled with water directly from the harbour. The pool is closed once a week for cleaning by North Sydney council who maintain it.

IMAGE CREDIT:  @natwick_co