The Awesome Mona Vale Rockpool in Sydney’s Northern Beaches

Name: Mona Vale Rockpool

Where: On the edge of the shore of Mona Vale beach, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Pools of the Sea number: 12/100

Tips: It can be quite busy so if you’re looking for a empty spot to photograph you might need to shoot in winter.

Pool length: 30 meters

Mona Vale Rockpool

I’ve been saving this one for a while as it’s one of my favourite Ocean pools to photograph.

Nestled in the middle of a deep dark rock slate right on the edge of the shore in Mona Vale. It’s one of the most photogenic pools I’ve ever seen or photographed.

The whites of the wash against the dark rock is a perfect as you can get and it makes for a beautiful scene especially from above.

It’s also one of the more photographed ocean pools I’ve come across too. And you can see why photographers from all over love to take some pictures of the awesome pool at Mona Vale.

Mona Vale on its own is a great place to photograph, between the headland and the dark golden sand it’s just a beautiful spot all round.

But adding into the middle of it, this perfect rectangular ocean pool, and it’s a must to add to your things to photograph in Sydney.

The pictures below really tell the story of how sweet it looks.

My only regret here on this shoot was not shooting even more pictures. So to rectify that I guess I’ll just have to head back to this beautiful place again.

Oh well:)

Til next time!

Chris Lane

Karloo Pools in the Royal National Park

Name: Karloo Pools

Where: Royal National Park, Sydney

How to get there: Park at Heathcote train station, walk a little bit south until you see the signs to Karloo walking track.

Tips: It can be pretty isolated, so take a friend if you feel more comfortable.

Pools of the Sea number: 11/100

How to get to Karloo Pools and walking track in the Royal National Park

Tucked away in the middle of the the Royal National Park, hides this little oasis that is Karloo Pools. It’s not that easy to get to, but it’s a great Sydney hike none the less.

The best way to get there is to aim for Heathcote train station which is around an hours drive south of Sydney. From the train station walk south and you’ll soon see the signs to head to the Karloo walking track.

It’s a nice hike and it’s around 10km return which is roughly 3 hours worth of walking. So you’d definitely want to be prepared for a few hours. Because of the distance there it can be pretty quiet out there and when I did this trek, I didn’t see another soul on the walk out or even when I made it to the pool and had a great swim.

So if you’re looking for a bit of me time then this is the track for you.

Once you get to the Karloo pool, this it’s quite amazing. I’ve also included it in my Pools of the Sea list too, even tho it’s a little inland I’m claiming it as it’s too cool not too.

The surrounding rocks give you a great place to sit down and if you’re prepared you can have a picnic too it’s that nice. The swimming hole is great for a swim too and the access in was pretty easy as well.

It made for some great pictures too, so I really enjoyed this hike and photoshoot. So if you’re looking for hikes in Sydney or the Royal National Park, this one is perfect.

As long as you have the time for the hike it’s definitely worth it and I’ll be back again once summer hit. So add it to the list and enjoy the great outdoors that Sydney has. Also in the beautiful national park and not too far from here lies the stunning Figure 8 pools and if you have half a day I’d definitely recommend a trip there too.

Til next time!

Chris Lane

Shelly Beach Rock Pool, Cronulla

Name: Shelly Beach Rock Pool

Where: Shelly Beach, Cronulla NSW.

Pools of the Sea number: 10/100

Unlike its neighbour in Oak Park, the Shelly Beach Rock Pool is as rectangular as you can get.

Home along the coastline of South Cronulla, the pool is pretty special in that it takes up the majority of the beach that it sits on. It makes for a great ariel view and it’s one of my favourites because of that.

The way that the sand is blended into the pool is pretty cool and adds to the beautiful design. Most pools have I guess you’d call it 4 walls, but the design of Oak Park and Shelly beach pool uses the 3 wall design and they definitely have their own style because of that.

Possibly built around the same time would be the reason for it. But if you have any more information about that I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

It’s also number 10 in my quest for 100 Ocean pools and I’ve been saving it because on this same shoot, I took my favourite drone picture of all time. I’ll add it here to check out too https://chasinglight.photo.blog/2021/05/25/behind-the-picture-blues-of-shelly-beach/

I really enjoyed this early morning photoshoot, the view of Shelly beach and the surrounding area of Cronulla is pretty unique down this part of Cronulla and is not as popular or as photographed as much as it’s northern suburbs.

A great place for a swim and some photography and I’ll be back again soon to add to it.

Til next time!

Chris Lane