Guide to Angourie Blue and Green Pools

Carved into a dramatic headland on the Clarence Coast, Angourie’s Blue and Green Pools are a postcard slice of northern New South Wales. Here, two deep, spring-fed swimming holes sit beside the Pacific, fringed by pandanus, sandstone shelves and rolling surf. It is the kind of place that begs you to pull over your campervan, wander down a short path and plunge into cool, clear water.

With beaches, lookouts and the northern gateway to Yuraygir National Park on the doorstep, Angourie makes an ideal stop on an East Coast road trip. Hire an Apollo motorhome, set your own pace and let a swim here become the highlight of your day’s drive.

Why do people go to Angourie Blue and Green Pools?

Angourie is famous for its twin freshwater pools, created when an old coastal quarry struck an underground spring. The result is a pair of spring-fed, jewel-toned swimming holes that stay refreshingly cool even on the hottest days. Their edges are rocky and photogenic, the water can be startlingly clear, and the setting looks out to the blue sweep of the Pacific.

Many visitors pair a dip with a picnic beneath the shaded shelters and trees nearby. There is more here than a swim. Angourie sits on culturally significant Yaegl Country and marks the northern end of the Yuraygir Coastal Walk, a spectacular stretch of beaches, headlands and heath. The pools make a perfect reward after the Angourie walking track of about 10 km return, and the adjacent tidal rock pool offers ocean bathing when conditions are right.

How long should I spend at Angourie Blue and Green Pools?

If you are passing through, allow 30-60 minutes for a quick swim and a wander between the Blue and Green Pools. With a little more time, stretch your visit to two or three hours to explore the tidal rock shelves, sit for a picnic and take in the headland views at Angourie Point. Keen walkers often plan half a day for the Angourie walking track, then come back for a cooling dip. Families can keep things simple with short paths, easy access to toilets and picnic tables, and plenty of space to spread out. However you choose to do it, bring water, snacks and sun protection so you can settle in and enjoy the setting.

How to get to Angourie Blue and Green Pools

Angourie is a small coastal village about 7 km south of Yamba in the Clarence Valley.

From Brisbane: It’s a 3-3.5 hour drive via the M1/A1. Take the Yamba or Maclean turnoff and follow the signs through Yamba to Angourie.
From Sydney: Angourie sits about 7-8.5 hours north on the Pacific Highway, with the final stretch leading through Yamba.
From the Pacific Highway: Turn off to Yamba Road towards Angourie Road, then left onto The Crescent to the day car park

Some nearby access roads and parking areas are unsealed and can be boggy after heavy rain, so drive with care in wet weather. Once in Angourie, follow local signs to the Blue and Green Pools reserve on The Crescent.

Best time to visit Angourie Blue and Green Pools

While summer is a popular time for swimming and snorkelling, long, blue-green algae blooms are more likely in warmer months. Council signs indicate closures when water quality is unsuitable. Spring and autumn often bring milder temperatures and lighter crowds, which makes them ideal for pairing a dip with a scenic walk along the Yuraygir coast.

Whatever the season, time your visit with the tides. Low tide is best for exploring rock shelves safely, while the adjacent natural ocean rock pool is most enjoyable near high tide when the swell creates a gentle, sheltered bath.

Weather in Angourie

Angourie’s subtropical climate means warm, often humid summers and mild winters. Summer daytime temperatures are often in the mid to high 20s Celsius, with occasional hotter spikes. Winters are comfortable, with cool nights and daytime highs that often hover in the high teens to around 20°C.

Showers are possible year-round, especially in late summer, so pack for both sun and passing rain. UV can be high on the coast, so use sun protection year-round and check the daily UV index. Bring swimmers, a hat, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen and a light layer for breezier headland moments, plus water and snacks for a relaxed day beside the pools.

Safety notes

The rock pools and the beaches nearby are unpatrolled. Always swim within your ability, supervise children closely and avoid jumping or diving, as depths vary and submerged rocks can be present.
Wear sturdy water shoes for grip on wet, uneven edges. Check the tide and ocean conditions before using the tidal rock pool, and be cautious of swell or slippery surfaces.
In warmer months, stinging jellyfish can be around, so keep an eye out and exit the water if you see them.
Heed all posted signs, including occasional pool closures due to algae in hot weather.
Stay well back from cliff edges, carry drinking water and protect yourself from the strong coastal sun.

Best place to park your campervan at Angourie Blue and Green Pools

For day visits: Park at the Blue and Green Pools reserve in Angourie for the shortest access to the water and nearby amenities like toilets, shade and picnic tables.

You can also use the Angourie Bay picnic area within Yuraygir National Park, where informal gravel spaces generally suit most campervans in dry conditions. A national park day-use vehicle fee applies at this site.

Overnight nearby: You can base yourself in Yamba and day-trip to Angourie. Options include NRMA Blue Dolphin Yamba and BIG4 Saltwater Yamba Holiday Park. Both have powered and unpowered sites, but get quite busy, so book ahead in peak periods!

FAQs and quick answers

Are the Angourie pools freshwater or saltwater?
The Blue and Green Pools are freshwater quarry lakes fed by springs; there’s a separate tidal ocean rock pool beside the Blue Pool.
Why are the Angourie pools sometimes closed?
Blue-green algae blooms can occur in the Angourie pools in warm weather. Council posts closure signs when water is unsafe, but you can still choose the adjacent ocean rock pool instead.
Is it safe to jump from the cliffs?
Jumping is not recommended due to unknown depths and submerged hazards; follow on-site safety signs.
Where exactly do I park and start the walk?
Park at The Crescent day car park (Angourie); a short paved path leads to the Blue Pool and on to the Green Pool on the rock platform. There are toilets at the car park.
What else can I do nearby?
Walk part of the Angourie walking track into Yuraygir National Park for headland views, birdlife and whale-watching in season.