Sydney has an astonishing collection of waterfront swimming pools, some washed by ocean waves, some beside the harbour and some with million-dollar city views - located in the heart of the city centre, a ferry trip away or short drive

While the rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean offer excitement and challenges all of their own, Sydney’s salt-water pools and netted enclosures are the quiet alternative. For some muscle building lap swimming, just plain perving or just floating on your back and thinking of what you'll get up to that night.

Try some of these for size:

* Nielsen Park at Vaucluse, surrounded by some of Sydney’s ritziest real estate, is a family favourite; a netted bay with a crescent-moon of sand backed by a shady park.
To get there, take Vaucluse Road to Nielsen Park.

* Balmoral Beach on the north side of the harbour has a netted enclosure and a long, shady and serene park, with alfresco cafes, a standout fish and chip shop and a couple of top-notch restaurants. Some say the scuba diving here is the best in the harbour.
To get there, take a 25-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay.

* North Sydney Olympic Pool is serious lap-swimmer territory, but the views are enough to distract even a champion - Luna Park on one side, the Harbour Bridge flexing its biceps overhead and, across the harbour, the Sydney Opera House itself. Removed from Sydney gaybourhood, it still attracts its fair share of muscle -toned gay men. When you're not looking at the surrounding scenery, you can feast your eye on the health fanatic eye-candy. Lunchtime is a bonus! There’s even a stylish restaurant overlooking the pool.

To get there, take 5-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay

* Bronte Baths, set deep within an ocean inlet and surrounded by cliffs, is a lovely spot for a swim at any time of the year. Slip over the side and into the ocean itself for a dip with the fish.

To get there, take any bus from the city or Oxford street to Bondi Beach or Bronte Beach.
For more information, timetables & maps visit: www.sydneybuses.info

Taxi: Take a taxi directly to Bronte Beach from anywhere in Sydney
For more information, timetables & maps visit: www.taxiscombined.com.au

The Andrew Boy Charlton pool brings style and sex appeal to the business of lap swimming. This inner city pool has a prime position with the leafy precincts of The Domain on one side and the sleek Woolloomooloo Wharf on the other.

Some say the pool is the birthplace of the Australian Crawl. It was chosen as the venue for the 1920’s sporting triumphs by swimming legend Andrew Boy Charlton. It is said that the actual spot was also a popular swimming hole by the local Aborigines prior to the first settlement over two hundred years ago.

To get there, either walk across the Domain or take a cab.

Taxi: Take a taxi directly to Andrew Boy Charlton pool from anywhere in Sydney
For more information, timetables & maps visit: www.taxiscombined.com.au

* Redleaf Pool - New South Head Road, Double Bay, is enclosed with a net of approximately 90m x 60m, (to keep the nasties at bay) and this harbourside tidal enclosure is attracts a mixture of crowds with some great eye candy on the weekend! Very crowded on weekends in summer. Access is via the stairs from New South Head Road, Double Bay.

To get there, take any bus from the city or Oxford street to Watsons Bay.
For more information, timetables & maps visit: www.sydneybuses.info

Taxi: Take a taxi directly to Redleaf Pool from anywhere in Sydney
For more information, timetables & maps visit: www.taxiscombined.com.au

* Victoria Park Pool is the site for the Mardi Gras Fair Day and the Pool Party. Conveniently located near Newtown and Broadway, on City Road just off Broadway.

To get there, take any bus from the city or Oxford street to Watsons Bay.
For more information, timetables & maps visit: www.sydneybuses.info

Taxi: Take a taxi directly to Redleaf Pool from anywhere in Sydney
For more information, timetables & maps visit: www.taxiscombined.com.au

* Prince Alfred Park is more of a local's pool. Although frequented by many Gay and Lesbians, it attracts a mix of families and straight boys with their girlfriends. Address: Chalmers St. near Cleveland St. , Surry Hills

To get there, take any bus from the city along Elisaberth St or Cleveland St.
For more information, timetables & maps visit: www.sydneybuses.info

Taxi: Take a taxi directly to Prince Alfred Pool from anywhere in Sydney
For more information, timetables & maps visit: www.taxiscombined.com.au

* Parsley Bay is a tiny slip of beach in a Vaucluse cove, east of the city, but it’s netted and backed by a charming little park.

To get there, take any bus from the city. For more information, timetables & maps visit: www.sydneybuses.info

Taxi: Take a taxi directly to Parsley Bay from anywhere in Sydney
For more information, timetables & maps visit: www.taxiscombined.com.au

* Wylies Baths are a Sydney institution, an historic sea pool at the southern end of Coogee Beach, with massages available by the poolside and early morning yoga classes.

To get there, take any bus from the city to Coogee.
For more information, timetables & maps visit: www.sydneybuses.info

Walk south past Coogee Beach and the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club. Head towards the McGiver’s Ladies Baths. Walk past the park until you reach Neptune Street.

Taxi: Take a taxi directly to Wylies Baths from anywhere in Sydney
For more information, timetables & maps visit: www.taxiscombined.com.au

* Freshwater Beach Baths, just north of Manly, is a lovely pool set into the rock platform at the northern end of the beach.

To get there, take a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly. Once arrived at Manly, walk over to Manly beach and head north to Freshwater Beach.