The Bombay swimming hole on the Shoalhaven River is a favourite for Braidwood locals looking to cool off without having to slug it to the coast.

With huge granite rocks and sandy alcoves, it’s the perfect place to swim in the sunshine. It’s a place loved by locals and largely forgotten by outsiders since it was featured in the 1987 film, The Year My Voice Broke. 

Local artist, Ray Monde, has created a series of works as part of the exhibition that celebrate the joys of river swimming.

“I wanted to create works that capture the beauty of Australian summer in the country,” Ray said, “Swimming in the Shoalhaven salves the soul, you come out invigorated. Jumping off the big rocks, you plummet into the cool river, swim around and dry off lying on the warm rocks,” said Ray. “It’s such a simple pure pleasure,” he added.

Want to swim nude?

If you’re into nature swimming, that is, nude swimming, the Shoalhaven River has a place nearby for that too at the end of Jinglemoney Lane. This place is locally known as being ‘clothing optional’ particularly when the Iron Corroboree is on when hot sweaty blacksmiths immerse themselves into the river after working the forge.

See the exhibition and buy art online.

See the entire exhibition ‘The River Between Us’ at Michael Reid Southern Highlands.

michaelreidsouthernhighlands.com.au

southernhighlands@michaelreid.com.au
+61 2 8353 3535

11b Old Hume Highway
Berrima NSW 2577
Mon – Sat 10am-5pm
Sun 10am–4pm