North Sydney Olympic Pool has thrown open its doors, ending the long wait for one of Sydney’s most photographed stretches of water.
The harbour-side North Sydney Olympic Pool, which first opened on 4 April 1936, welcomed swimmers back on 8 August, with extended opening weekend hours. It has now moved to standard hours: 5.30am to 9.30pm on weekdays, 7am to 7pm on weekends, and 8am to 5.30pm on public holidays. Pools close 30 minutes before the facility does.
A pool with a serious record collection
The views are hard to beat.
If the venue feels like hallowed ground, that’s because it is. 86 world records have been broken in the Olympic Pool, including Shane Gould’s famous 100-metre freestyle swim in January 1972, which toppled Dawn Fraser’s long-standing world record. Fraser herself swam here, as did Murray Rose, Frank O’Neill, Michelle Ford, Jon and Isla Konrads and Lorraine Crapp. The site hosted the fourth British Empire Games – now the Commonwealth Games – in February 1938.
It remains the only surviving example in Australia of a harbour-side Olympic pool built in the neo-classical style of the 1930s, and is heritage listed.
What’s new
Focus on all the little details.
86 world records have been broken here.
The gym covers about 500 square metres.
Quite a lot. The refurbished outdoor 50-metre program pool now has a boom that splits it into halves or quarters, so carnivals, squads, lap swimmers and birthday parties can all run at once. Indoors there are two more pools – a 25-metre lap pool and a program pool – plus a spa, sauna and steam room.
Families get a children’s outdoor splash pad and a creche with indoor and outdoor play spaces, catering for children from eight weeks to six years at $7 per hour.
The gym has moved to Level 2, covering roughly 500 square metres with floor-to-ceiling views of the harbour, bridge and CBD. It’s kitted out with 42 cardio machines, 21 pin-loaded resistance machines and 92 pieces of free-weight equipment. The old Lane 9 gym space has been converted into a group fitness studio, and a new Reformer Pilates studio on Level 1 houses 12 beds.
Then there’s the cafe serving Campos coffee, a gelato bar on Level 2, and an upgraded sun deck with astro turf and new sun lounges.
A temporary animated artwork, Whale Dreaming by Saltwater Elder Uncle Bryce Moran, is on display against the downstairs living sandstone wall. Described as a Dreamtime story of the Cammeraygal Nation told through the whale’s journey to the Headland and north for mating season, the painting was animated by First Nations creative consultation company Dark Lightning, with cultural consultation from Auntie Jeanie Moran. A permanent commissioned work is expected to be announced in early September, with installation late this year.
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The old bones are still there
The North Sydney Olympic Pool still has its heritage charm.
Four heritage walls and structures remain, including the Eastern Stair Tower and the Southern Heritage Wall with its restored neoclassical stucco motifs. Original 1930s bricks were salvaged and reused where possible, with replacements hand-painted to match. Look out for the brass frogs scattered through the facility – a nod to the original frog motifs on the heritage walls – and the children’s pool sign, recreated as an exact replica from a plaster cast of the original.
Details
North Sydney Olympic Pool first opened in 1936.
Casual entry is $11 for adults, $8.80 for children and $8.25 for concession.
Weekly memberships start at $37 for a Legends adult membership, with Legends Plus at $65 including unlimited Reformer Pilates and hybrid run club.
Learn to Swim lessons start at $24 and squads from $42.50.
Cafe-only visitors can wander in free of charge, provided they’re not dressed for swimming or carrying a swim bag.
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Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her 4+ years at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? South Australia and The Kimberley.
With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.
It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.
Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.
Where the vines tell a story
Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)
The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.
Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.
Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.
Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.
At the table
Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)
If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.
Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.
Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotelis a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.
And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.
Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.
From the source
Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)
Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.
Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.
Mark your calendar
Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)
For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.
Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.
