Kentlyn Basin is a huge swimming hole surrounded by gorgeous bushland. A pretty cascade flows into the pool and there’s room to really get some distance in if you’re so inclined. The walk to get there is short and on a well maintained track, it’s also dog friendly as long as they are kept on a leash.
Catch the pool on a quiet day and it may just become one of your new favourite Sydney swimming spots! Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Kentlyn Basin.
The walk to Kentlyn Basin
The stats
Distance: 2.3km return
Elevation gain: 90m
Difficulty: Easy, but not flat
Trailhead: Kentlyn River Reserve Car Park
Summary: The walk to the Basin is all on a well maintained track and it’s signposted. Just under a kilometre of the track is flat, with the final couple of hundred metres being on a steepish set of stairs.
The trail
The track begins to the right of the car park and you will see the signpost for the ‘The Basin’ after 150m. These small wooden posts are prolific throughout the walk, so you don’t need to worry about getting lost!
The first 700m are flat before you begin making a very gradual descent. The path is wide and well maintained and the bushland is dense and beautiful.
The start of the descent is very gentle and for the most part, a smooth track, with just one short rocky section.
Approximately 930m from the car park you’ll get your first view over Georges River from a rocky plateau. Just 10m later you’ll begin the proper descent.
It’s on a set of steep but wide and even stairs, which will bring you out at the top of the falls 220m later.
To access the water it’s easiest to head left for 50m to the small sandy beach. The path becomes more rustic, with a couple of rocks to climb down, but it’s not difficult or slippery when dry. There’s a short section where the path is narrow with a bit of a drop on one side.
Swimming at Kentlyn Basin
I was not prepared for just how big the pool is! It’s up there with the likes of Jingga Pool and definitely one of the biggest I’ve swum in in Sydney. It’s also really pretty with the low rock walls and sea of gum trees.
The water is lovely shade of green (provided there hasn’t been too much recent rain) and the small waterfall is stunning. It’s like a bigger version of Kingfisher Pool in Heathcote National Park.
It’s a wonderful place to swim, especially if you like long interrupted pools where you don’t have to worry about bumping into rocks and debris.
We were lucky to be the only ones there and it was utterly serene. You can definitely lose yourself in the scenery, which feels a million miles away from the city.
However, I know that on hot weekends and in the school holidays it can become busy, so if you’re after a bit of tranquility you would probably need to come early during those times.
If the main pool is busy, there are smaller, shallower pools up and downstream, but we didn’t venture too far as we had the main pool to ourselves and it was a hard spot to leave!
When you’re ready to leave, you retrace your steps back the same way. The first 220m is a steepish climb, but it’s not long before you hit the flats and then it’s a leisurely stroll back to the car park.
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 reserve, it will go a long way to keeping the area clean.
Parking for The Basin Walk
The walk begins in the Keith Longhurst Reserve outside of Campbelltown, you can see it here on Google maps. There is a large car park here, but no toilets or any other facilities so please plan accordingly.
The reserve is around 53km and a 55 minute drive from Sydney CBD.
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