Campbells Hole is the most magnificent natural rockpool I have ever seen. That’s a big claim, but it really does live up to it. The huge crystal clear pool is backed by a towering rock wall on one side and a rock platform with ocean views on the other. The combination makes for a dramatic spot which hides in plain sight just below the ever popular Kiama Coastal Walk.
Swimming here - and yes there is room to swim - feels like you’ve been let into one of the South Coast’s best kept secrets. You can see dozens of hikers pass by on the cliff tops above, while you delight in the solitude far below.
Here’s how to find Campbells Hole and what to expect when you do.
Visiting Campbells Hole
The tides and swell
The most important things to consider when planning your visit to Campbells Hole are the tide and swell. You want to visit within a couple of hours either side of low tide. I always prefer going a couple of hours before low tide, so you know the tide is going out and not coming in - it’s easy to lose track of time at such a special spot.
Though the walk is not long, there is a 350m stretch where you are walking along the rock shelf, so you need to be able to get back from the pool safely.
You also want the swell to be slight so that you don’t get any unexpected waves crashing into the pool. When the tide is low and swell is slight, this is a really relaxing spot. In the wrong conditions tidal pools can be very dangerous.
The walk to Campbells Hole
The stats
Distance: 1.9km return
Elevation gain: 2m
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Werri Beach Car Park
Summary: In the right conditions (low tide and slight swell), the walk to Campbells Hole is very easy. You’ll start on a well formed path, cut down to a beach - requiring a very short bit of rock hopping - and then cross a series of rock platforms.
You should watch for wet mossy rocks which can be slippery, but otherwise it’s a breeze.
The walk
From the Werri Beach car park (full details below) you’ll head down the stairs and onto the beach. You cross the beach, passing the lagoon and head onto the grassy track, 150m from the car park.
You’ll follow the grassy dirt track for 350m until you see a social trail heading into the bush on your right (500m from the car park).
The path to this point can get very muddy, but it’s otherwise predominantly flat and straightforward.
It’s worth noting that the path on the right at the 500m mark is the second social trail leading right. The first becomes very overgrown and is not recommended.
The second path brings you out to the beach 50m later and is not overgrown. You have about 20-30 metres of rock hopping to reach the sand.
The rocks are not slippery when dry, but require a bit of care so you don’t twist an ankle.
When you reach the little spit of sand head left towards the rock shelf, 50m away.
The last 350m are spent following the rock shelf, you need to make sure the tide and swell are low here, you don’t want to be cut off by a rising tide or hit by a rogue wave.
Otherwise the rock shelf traverse is very easy, just watch for any mossy bits which could be slippery. You’ll probably want shoes on as there are some sharp shells along the way.
You’ll arrive at Campbells Hole 350m later, or 950m from the car park.
Swimming at Campbells Hole
Campbells Hole is idyllic, the water clarity is incredible and the cliff wall makes it the most dramatic rockpool I have ever seen. It really is the dream.
It’s also really big and deep enough to swim, even at low tide. There’s also shallower areas if you prefer lazing around.
When the swell is slight, no waves whatsoever come near to the pool, there’s always the possibility there could be a freak wave, but generally speaking it’s wonderfully serene.
Part of the pool is very deep, but you can see all the way down to the bottom.
I loved looking up at all the hikers passing by on the coastal walk above and wondering if they could see the two little specks soaking up the sunshine far below.
It really is a magical place, especially if you get it all to yourself. On that note we visited in the school holidays and had it to ourselves for around an hour.
One family then arrived for a little bit, before it was just us again. It’s not a well known spot by any means, but as visits are condensed due to the tides, you may want to come midweek if you’re really keen to get it all to yourself.
Keep them wild
Please remember to take all rubbish with you and keep these places wild and pristine - as with anywhere in the outdoors. It’s important to leave them exactly as you found them so they will remain beautiful for generations to come.
Litter tends to breed litter, so if you do spot any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the area, it will go a long way to keeping the area clean.
Parking for Campbells Hole
The closest car park to Campbells Hole is the Werri Beach car park, near Gerringong. It’s free to park and though not huge, was not busy when we visited in the school holidays. It’s around 11km and a 15 minute drive from Kiama, 50km and a 40 minute drive from Wollongong and 140km and a 2 hour drive from Sydney.
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