Mermaid Pools Tahmoor

Details

2km Return

1hr return

Swimming

Dog Friendly

Short walk

Medium

Getting to Mermaid Pools Tahmoor

Mermaid pools are located in the Wollondilly region on the border of Bargo, Phesants Nest and Tahmoor, on the Bargo River. There is a carpark on the corner of Charlies Point Road and Rockford Road. You will see a rough dirt trail which will lead you closer to the bridge. There is a path you can follow from under the bridge which will follow along with the river.

You can access this parking spot in a standard car but we would recommend taking a 4wd for this road as there the track is in disrepair with many pot holes, ditches and very limited places to park and turn around. During the summer months, this place becomes very crowded and parking is very limited. We recommend getting in early to ensure you get a spot. No parking signs have also been put in place along Bargo River Road near the old scout camp so please do not use this entrance

Starting The Walk To Mermaid Pools

From the carpark, the walk begins by heading towards the bridge. A path will lead you under the bridge and you then continue to follow it along the waters edge. You will notice the path early on start to lead up into the bush, just ignore it and continue along the waters edge. The path that leads into the bush will still lead you to mermaids, but it will take a little longer and it's easier to become lost on this path.

After recent floods, the path has become a little unclear in some places. After following the river for around 15 minutes you will see the path make a climb up a cliff. An old rusted motor will indicate that you are on the right path. Once had the top, turn left and follow the little arrows on the trees that say "mermaids". These will direct you to to the pools.

When following the signs to mermaids, it will eventually start leading you down to the water again, going down some sections of a cliff. You will then follow the waters edge heading down stream for roughly 2 minutes. It will lead you to the top of the canyon, with views down to the water. Be-careful here, especially if you've taken your dog on this walk as there are some holes in the rocks with a very steep drop.

Other Walks Nearby

If you are walking and notice the canyon in the distance and it looks like it's behind you, then you've gone too far. This trail continues on to Bargo River Canyon, which is a 5 hour walk. There are a few places to swim if you continue this walk but it does take an entire day to complete.

On the way, you should be sure to check out see thru pools for a more relaxed swimming spot. If you decide to stop off for a dip here, you will just return the same way you came to continue back on the original track to mermaids.

You can also jump on to our community group on Facebook to ask about other walks in the area.

Things to do at Mermaid Pools

Mermaid Pools Tahmoor makes for some awesome cliff jumping with varying degrees of height, from the platform the lowest at roughly 15 metres high, to the highest, stupidity at 30 metres. There is no easy access in or out of the pools, the easiest most direct way out is to climb out near the waterfall along the wall, there is a rope there for assistance but don't rely on the rope, it will take a few times to get confident at it when getting out so before you jump make sure you are sure of how you will climb out.

There are plenty of native animals that you can spot along the track, especially birds if you are an avid bird watcher. You can also find kangaroos, lizards, snakes as well as many native plants and rock formations. If you're lucky, you may even be able to find a platypus swimming along the stream as there is a nature reserve further up the river.

If you aren't confident enough to jump in, have a picnic or sun-bake on the rocks. Don't forget that there are other safe spots to swim like see thru pools or back at the carpark there is a nice sandy area for swimming. Spend the day trekking the Bargo River Canyon but be sure to pack plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing and shoes.

Things To Consider When Visiting

While visiting mermaid pools there are a few things to be mindful of to ensure that the area stays safe and clean for everyone. Firstly, please do not enter the water unless you are a confident swimmer. There is no safe way in or out of the water so if you aren't confident, you are likely to get yourself into trouble. Entering the water either requires you to jump from the cliff (15m minimum jump). Alternatively, you will need to climb down the small waterfall via a rope, which is slippery and dangerous. It also important to keep in mind that the depth of the water is unknown and when there are storms, logs and branches get carried into the pools.

Our final thing to consider is to make sure you take your rubbish with you. Since this isn't a national park, there are no bins or funding for the area. That means if you leave your rubbish on site, it will just blow into the water and will destroy the local flora and fauna in the area. Try and pack food not in plastic packaging or glass. Please help to keep these places clean and respected so future generations can enjoy them too!