If you don’t want to play in the sand (or pick sand out of your crotch), maybe you hate being bowled over by a curling wave at the beach during the summer months in Australia, check out these hotels with the most fabulous swimming pools that will have you diving in the deep end or contentedly bobbing around on a rubber ducky, with or without arm floaties.
Australia has some of the world's most famous beaches, whether it's the exquisite location such as Whitehaven Beach nestled along the coast of the Whitsundays, the surfing mecca of Bells Beach found on the stunning Great Ocean Road coastline about 90 minutes outside of Melbourne, or the wild and remote Cape Leveque north of Broome in Western Australia where kangaroos hop along its white sand; there's a swimming destination to suit everyone wishing to get wet.
Suppose you want to take the big splash but not in the ocean to cool off. In that case, Australia's hotels present the perfect solution for cooling off purposes with amazing pools and breathtaking views.
Outback View – Mount Mulligan Lodge, Queensland
Mount Mulligan Lodge is a private property in the remote outback of North Queensland, about 2.5 hours from Cairns. Here, you can wallow in the swimming pool while gazing upon an ancient, spectacular rusty red escarpment with an indigenous history dating back 37,000 years. A magical and luxurious property, the swimming pool is like a billabong shaded by towering eucalyptus trees.
Coral Sea Views – Orpheus Island Lodge, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
An escapist's dream destination, the decadent Orpheus Island has a swimming pool that's incredible for its ‘swim with a view’ vibe. The outlook from its 25-meter island pool is one of endless blue, which morphs into blue hues depending on the time of the day. Where the depths of the Coral Sea meet the horizon, it's impossible to distinguish, as is the distinction of the edge of the infinity swimming pool with the Coral Sea. The blue panorama is hedged by lush green lawns studded with palm trees and purple mountain breasts silhouetted to one side where the sea melts into the sky.
Vineyard view – The Louise, Barossa Valley, SA
For the wine connoisseur who likes to be relaxed while remembering the dreamy explosion of black and blue fruit touched with spice in an Aussie shiraz, the infinity edge swimming pool at the elegant retreat, The Lousie, is the perfect anecdote with its sweeping vineyard views. Bordered by hills sitting amidst the picturesque Barossa Valley, a splash in this swimming pool will only increase your desire for more moments of food and wine bliss. The Barossa, one of Australia's most famous wine areas, is only 70 kilometers from Adelaide, South Australia's vibrant capital city.
City view – Sofitel Sydney, Darling Harbour NSW
Soak up the astounding waterfront city views when doing lazy strokes in the sparkling waters of the award-winning Sofitel Sydney's rooftop infinity swimming pool. The vista will take your breath away from the towering skyscrapers to the depths of the Sydney Habour waters. It makes you feel alive. With a pool bar, Le Rivage, to satisfy your thirst with quenching cocktails and champagne bubbles, you can even linger while indulging in gourmet snacks.
Up in the Air – The Ritz Carlton, Perth, WA
With the Swan River at your feet and a fabulous view over the city of Perth and Elizabeth Quay, The Ritz Carlton Perth has taken the design of its stunning infinity swimming pool to new heights of eye candy while swimming. You can commune with the sun god, delicately dip a toe in the pool's crystal clear water, or dive straight in with abandon, knowing that you are staying at one of the most luxurious hotels in the whole city. Indulge in the flurry of benefits of the whirlpool, or feed your desire for a cocktail from the bar, Songbird, without moving from your sun lounge.
Look Down - Adelphi Hotel, Melbourne Vic
A birds-eye view of the bustling heart of Flinders Lane greets you when dipping into the glass-bottomed cantilevered pool of the boutique Adelphi Hotel in Melbourne's CBD. From nine stories up, you can have flights of fancy of the goings-on of the bustling crowd below. A designated eat street, the iconic Flinders Lane is a kaleidoscope of city life overflowing with award-winning restaurants—Chin Chin, Kenzan, Supernormal, Kisume, and more—plus urban bars for pre-dinner or late-night tipples.
Gail Palethorpe, a self proclaimed Australian gypsy, is a freelance writer, photographer and eternal traveller. Check out her website Gail Palethorpe Photography and her Shutterstock profile.
