This might sound strange, being local to a city smattered with beaches, but we’re always looking for new places to swim. So when we heard about Bexhill Quarry, an abandoned brickworks turned cerulean swimming hole, we knew we had to make the drive.
Google Maps told us the quarry was a little over an hour away, but we decided to make a day of it and first stop in at another favourite swimming spot: Brunswick Heads.
One thing about day trips, though? They’re hard to pack for – especially when it comes to hydration. You never know if you’re going to be doing a lot of walking, and therefore rehydrating, or lounging in the sun with your water bottle sunbaking right beside you. Bringing shade is kind of unpractical, too – you don’t want to be lugging a cumbersome cabana from place to place.
The solution? For us, it’s the Hydro Flask Wide Flex Straw Travel Bottle. It’s totally day trip-approved: for one thing, it’s tapered at the bottom so it fits in car cup holders – no need to buy an extra expander (or raid the plumbing section at Bunnings). It’s also really well insulated, as we soon came to find out, keeping ice intact for hours even in the hot summer sun.
With water sorted, it was time to head off. Here’s how our day trip to Bexhill Quarry (with a bit of Bruns fun sprinkled in) unfolded…
A Brunswick Heads pitstop
The sleepy town of Brunswick may not get the same love as its southern neighbour, Byron Bay, but we’re personally partial to its small-town charm. With a beach and a river to choose between, it’s a good option on a busy day – as long as you’re willing to pay for parking.
On this occasion, we were. We grabbed a park outside the Bruns Bakery and used the excuse to stock up on baked goods. Jam donuts and sausage rolls in hand, we headed to the river.
Being waterside without having to worry about sand was heavenly, and a rarity for us Gold Coasters. We lounged on the grass, reading and chatting, taking the occasional dip in the lazy river to cool off. After an hour or two, and a quick potter through some of the shops, we’d had our fix: it was onto Bexhill Quarry.
Ice check: After a solid two hours in the blazing sun, plus the hot car trip, a shake of the Hydro Flask proves the ice is unmelted. The water is ice cold, too.
Getting to Bexhill Quarry
The drive from Brunswick to Bexhill (the tiny town that the quarry calls home) is an easy one. For a little over 30 minutes, you’ll wind beneath shady trees, over sloping hills and through hinterland towns like Bangalow, Nashua, Clunes – then finally, Bexhill.
If you’re hungry, stop in at the Bexhill General Store. Their hot food cabinet has all the classics – greasy but delicious chips, nuggets, burgers and sausage rolls – as well as some surprisingly fresh menu items (never before has a roadhouse served up such a delicious falafel bowl).
Ice check: It’s been four or five hours since we filled the Hydro Flask, and the ice is still rattling around. It’s beginning to melt, but the water is still icy and delicious (another bonus of the Hydro Flask: there’s no flavour transfer from the materials it’s made from!).
Swimming at Bexhill Quarry
The carpark for the quarry (about two hundred metres down from the general store) is small – even arriving at around 2pm on a Sunday, we had to get a little bit creative with the parking.
From the carpark, it’s only a short walk to the water. The first thing that will strike you is the colour – it’s the most unreal, bubblegum bath bomb shade of blue. It’s the result of leftover minerals and metals (like copper, aluminium, zinc and magnesium) from the quarry and, much like a bath bomb, they feel super soft on your skin. Just be careful not to get too much water in your eyes or ears, as you might experience some stinging.
Another warning: Don’t jump straight into the water. There are plenty of submerged items in the quarry, like cars and machinery (we saw the remnants of a brick wall), that are impossible to see thanks to the opacity of the water. Slide in from one of the many entry points along the bank.
Speaking of the bank, there aren’t many sitting areas to speak of. If you’re with a small group you’ll be able to cosy up somewhere, but larger gatherings will have to make do with the dirt path a little bit back from the water’s edge – so bring a hardy picnic blanket.
In exciting news, it seems the local council has accepted the fact that locals and tourists can’t keep away from the quarry – rather than prohibit swimming in it altogether, there are talks of developing the site to make it safer and more accessible (and enjoyable!). Extensive surveying of local flora and fauna has been undertaken, and plans are in the works to make the site a public reserve with the guidance of the local indigenous population.
In the meantime, Bexhill Quarry will remain a rugged, yet magical, not-so-hidden gem, well worth a visit if you’re in the area. For us, it proved to be the perfect day trip destination from the Gold Coast.
After about an hour of swimming and sunbaking (and nervously watching local teens cliff jump into the quarry), we were ready to head back to the GC – but not before stopping in Clunes for a roadside jam donut… What better way to bookend a Sunday?
Ice check: After a full day in the sun, the ice is finally melting – but the dregs of water are as cold as ever. It’s official: the Hydro Flask is the ultimate day trip companion.
