The best freshwater swimming holes in Victoria

Pound Bend Reserve at Warrandyte is a popular freshwater swimming hole in Victoria surrounded by native bushland: perfect for a relaxing float down the Yarra River. Learn about the Wurundjeri people's history and culture from interpretive trail signs and see the river flow through the Evelyn Tunnel, created to divert the river from a section with mineable gold. You can also venture on the gentle 3.4km return Pound Bend Loop through riparian forest dominated by manna gums.

• Facilities: Picnic tables, toilets, canoe launch
• Restrictions: Dogs, solid-fuel BBQs, fires and camping not permitted; restricted opening times

Lake Catani in Mount Buffalo National Park, 37km west of Bright, is home to clear water and a grand alpine landscape filled with snow gums. Enjoy swimming, kayaking and fishing on the lake or several short walks starting at or near the lake. The Lakeside Day Visitor Area offers a picnic shelter, tables, gas BBQs and accessible toilets. There are also 47 campsites: some suitable for small caravans and campervans; others suitable for car camping and tents only. There are even some walk-in campsites for a true back-to-nature experience.

• Facilities: Campsites, toilets, shower, picnic tables
• Restrictions: No dogs; no fires outside of existing campfire structures; no motorised watercraft

Situated in the Briagolong State Forest about three hours drive out of Melbourne, Blue Pool is the perfect summer swim spot. The popular freshwater swimming hole sits within a gorge in Freestone Creek and offers cool, calm waters surrounded by native forest and rocky outcrops. The Froam Picnic Area about 600m from the pools offers a campsite with facilities. If you're up for a walk, the Peregrine Lookout Trail takes an hour return and features nesting Peregrine falcons between September and December. There's also the Bluff, a steep five-minute climb with great views over the Blue Pool; the 2.5km Fern Gully Loop; or the 6.5km Freestone Creek Walking Track.

• Facilities: Campsite, picnic tables, fire pit, picnic shelter, toilets
• Restrictions: No fishing, canoeing or kayaking. Periods of high visitation and lack of water flow may result in contamination from algal blooms. Dogs must be on lead.

Gooram Falls near Euroa is beautiful and loud, with several cascades falling into the rock pools below. It's just 400m from the car park to the falls, walking through the beautiful Seven Creeks Wildlife Reserve.

• Facilities: Picnic tables, toilet at the lower car park
• Restrictions: No dogs, fires, camping or fishing permitted.

Surrounded by the mountains of Grampians National Park, you can swim in Lake Bellfield’s pretty waters to escape the summer heat. At the Lake Bellfield Swimming and Picnic Area, there's a sloping beach, grassy lawns and spacious picnic area. You can also fish at Lake Bellfield, as long as you obtain a fishing license from the nearby Brambuk Cultural Centre. A gravel boat ramp allows for kayaking and canoeing, while the Lake Bellfield Lookout and Dam Wall offers a walk with gorgeous views of the lake.

Lake Bellfield is just a short distance from Halls Gap, where you can stock up on supplies for a picnic or stay longer with our list of things to do in the Grampians.

• Facilities: Picnic tables, toilets, fire pits, BBQs, boat ramp
• Restrictions: No dogs or power/motorboats not permitted.

Blue Rock Lake in West Gippsland on the Tanjil River features two designated swimming areas (Spillway Road and Old Tanjil Road) and some of Victoria's best bass fishing spots. Feel free to swim, kayak, canoe or boat in Blue Rock Lake, situated at the foothills of Baw Baw National Park. Grab picnic supplies at nearby Moe or tackle the Mt Baw Baw hike before your swim.

• Facilities: Picnic tables, BBQs, toilets, boat ramp
• Restrictions: Dogs must be on a leash. Camping and fires not permitted. Opening hours apply (8am-8pm). Blue-green algae outbreaks may occasionally affect access.

A popular spot at Creswick in Victoria’s Goldfields region, St Georges Lake a large swimming area with grassy lawns for relacing between swims. The shallow area is great for paddling, but be aware that it drops off steeply. There's also a 1.8km return loop walk around the lake with beautiful views if you're up for a stroll. Stay at the nearby RACV Goldfields Resort to explore more of the Goldfields area.

• Facilities: Toilets, BBQs, picnic tables
• Restrictions: No camping or fires. Dogs must be on leash.

A manufactured lake in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne, Lysterfield Lake is perfect for water-based recreation. The lake contains two designated swimming areas and is also popular for kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding and sailing. The 5.8km Lysterfield Lake Loop is an easy walk taking about 1.5 hours to complete, with the opportunity to spot kangaroos and wallabies.

• Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables, BBQs, jetties
• Restrictions: No dogs or power/motorboats permitted.

Vaughn Springs is a popular swimming spot on the Loddon River in Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. With pure waters, a large grassy area, a giant slide and two drinkable mineral springs from the pump nearby, there's plenty to enjoy at Vaughn Springs. You can also explore the remains of a Chinese market garden via the Goldfields Track from Vaughn Springs to the Central Springs Heritage Site. There's also the Vaughn Chinese Cemetery along the entrance to Vaughn Springs.

• Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables, BBQs, water taps, campsites in the Upper Terrace Campground above the Day Visitor Area
• Restrictions: No dogs or fires permitted.

Pop a picnic basket and your bathers in the car and head to the MacKenzies Flat Picnic Area at Lerderderg River at the end of Lerderderg Gorge Road. Here you’ll find perfect surrounds for a balmy day, with a lawn area and shallow water to splash around in. Take on the 8km Lederderg Gorge Circuit walk: it has some steep sections, but you'll be rewarded with great views.

• Facilities: Toilets, picnic area
• Restrictions: No dogs, fires or camping permitted.