Sawtell Memorial Rock Pool is a 42 m rock pool on the south side of Bonville Headland, dedicated as a war memorial in 1963. Its high rock walls shelter swimmers from the waves, and it is free.
Key facts
- Type
- Rock pool
- Length
- 42 m
- Facilities and access
- High rock walls shelter swimmers from waves
- Cost
- Free
- Lifeguards
- No
- Best time to go
- Calm days, mid to high tide
- Town
- Sawtell, NSW
What it's like
The pool is built into the rocks at the foot of Bonville Headland, beside the mouth of Bonville Creek, with tall natural walls that keep most of the swell out. It is about 42 m long, good for laps or a calm dip. A granite tablet set into the rocks reads Sawtell Memorial Rock Pool.
Council and a local anglers' club built it around 1960, people began swimming in it in the summer of 1962, and it was dedicated in 1963 to servicemen and women who died in war. It has been a heritage item on the Coffs Harbour local plan since 2000.
When to go
Calm days, mid to high tide.
Getting there and facilities
Walk to the southern side of Bonville Headland from Sawtell's main beach or the headland car park. Sawtell's cafes are a short walk away.
Good to know
There are no lifeguards at the pool.