You’d expect to see the who’s who of local surfers when you check the surf at Aussie Pipe in Jervis Bay. Hyams Beach is also hugely popular as one of the most sought-after patches of sand on the planet. However, if you take a slight detour to Orion Beach, Vincentia, you will find a footpath that runs parallel to a white sandy beach, which enables people of all abilities to enjoy a sun-soaked stroll minus the crowds. The beach is protected, making it a popular spot for families with young children.

Don your favourite flowery skirt and floppy hat and make a beeline for Bellingen to find your vibe and tribe.Then, if you’re lucky, one of the boho Bello locals will offer to take you on a detour down the path to Dangar Falls which winds through dairy farmland for a couple of Ks. You will find a viewing platform at Dangar Falls along with a trail that threads through the countryside to the base of the waterfall, which is a popular spot for a swim.

There’s nothing like a mooch along Meroo Beach in Murramang National Park to feel alive. Head to this secluded coastal haven at high noon, when the sand is as blindingly white as a washed-out Polaroid. Follow a trail through the forest to find turquoise waters and your own patch of sand on a shoreline that is relatively free of footprints. You can camp here beside the sea and spot whales and dolphins from your swag.

Lake Parramatta Reserve is an unexpected oasis for swimming just minutes from the hurley burly of Sydney’s second CBD. Parramatta is a foodie paradise with a vibrant eat street with excellent grab-and-go options. Pick up supplies before unfurling your picnic rug near the freshwater lake amid the park, which is laced with walking trails. Swim or rent a pedal boat in the designated areas over the warmer months when the inland lake is patrolled by lifeguards. Fancy a staycation? Hunker down at SKYE Suites Parramatta.

Those who want to avoid the crowds should carve off towards Kianinny Bay, Tathra. Arrive early in the morning, when the sun is pale and the water is gleaming like honey. The landscape around Tathra is surrounded by pastures and farmland, stitched together to form a patchwork. It’s here you will find Kianinny Bay, hidden away from the well-trodden tourist trails. The bay is home to the Tathra Amateur Fishing Club so you will likely find boats bobbing all about. Head to the Bega Produce Market to pick up provisions for a picnic.

Wake at the first finger of light to conquer the day with a bowl of Goldilock’s Porridge from Edmonds & Greer. You will need the energy to tackle a swimming session at Jewfish Bay Baths in Oatley Park, one of the largest swimming enclosures in NSW. The great thing about leaning into laps at the pool, which is 320 metres in length, is that you won’t have to count as many tumble turns. Join smug locals with a post-swim walk around this 35-hectare patch of pristine bushland.

Cut yourself adrift from your corporate life with a week bunkered down near Bithry Inlet in Bermagui. Locals in the know will tell you this secluded estuary is a pristine place to base yourself for swimming, fishing and coastal walks. Stay at the boutique Myer House, which is known for its award-winning oysters. Those obsessed with oysters can also join the dots along the Sapphire Coast Oyster Trail.

Follow Minyon Trails Walking Track weaving through Nightcap National Park until you find Minyon Falls near Astonville in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. Minyon Falls is located deep in the rainforest and the plunge pool at its base is like a sapphire set in a hollow formed by millennia of water tumbling down over the cliffs. The Minyon Falls lookout is one of the best in the area and you will be able to see all the way to the coast on a clear day. Minyon Falls rewards intrepid explorers with a dramatic cascade and secret plunge pool at its base.

The temperature at Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool sits at around 27°C even when the outside air is as crisp as a new-season apple. Enjoy a steamy soak in the spring-fed spot while watching the shadow play on the water courtesy of the clouds passing overhead. Consider the Snowy Valleys to be somewhat of a secret spot. Continue onto your accommodation at Big Yard Farm and book in for lunch at the Three Blue Ducks at Nimbo Fork Lodge. The naturally heated pool is near to ancient caves and walking tracks.

Spend the day looking for Australian black opals so you can have them set into bespoke earrings crafted by Australian jeweller Marina Antoniou, who specialises in Australian gems. Lightning Ridge is best known as a place to fossick for the shimmering stones. But the town’s Artesian Bore Baths are also a draw for visitors to the NSW Outback. Soak in the spring water said to be fed by a 2 million-year-old naturally heated artesian bore.

You won’t find out about Parsley Bay Reserve via Jill and Sue from the satirical @theVauclusedaily. But that’s not to say you won’t gain bragging rights when you tag this tucked-away location in Sydney’s east. Sydneysiders can be so parochial, often keeping to their own postcode. But discovering Sydney’s secret swimming spots can only be done if you venture outside your suburb. This harbour beach has a shady lawn and a local village vibe that makes it feel worlds away from the city. It’s giving Sydney Riviera.

This beautiful remote bay is one of the highlights of the Light to Light walk on the NSW Sapphire Coast. Bittangabee Bay, Eden, is also popular with intrepid locals who enjoy an icy dip in the sea at a spot that doesn’t ping on tourists’ radars. The rugged bay is rich in natural beauty and perfect for a quiet swim while watching the morning sun roll across the sky. BYO picnic lunch and binoculars.

While the Blue Mountains is known for its stunning scenery, the remote beauty of the place means it has a host of under-the-radar attractions often overlooked by visitors. The Jelly Bean Pool in Glenbrook is a local favourite for recreational swimmers who want to cool off without the crowds. The water in the pool is clear and crisp and the scenic swimming hole featured in Lonely Planet’s Joy of Wild Swimming can be accessed via a short bushwalk. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic and refreshing plunge.