Keeping your cool at these local swimming pools
Whilst Sydney may be blessed with an abundance of beaches (100 according to Wikipedia), the Inner West is home to just one. That said, we more than make up for it with plenty of fantastic swimming pools where we can exercise and cool-off with the family. With both indoor and outdoor options, swimming is a great all-weather, year-round activity that won’t break the bank. So get your goggles and towels ready and read our top picks of best local pools in the Inner West and surrounds.
Also, check out the 360 membership card which gives you access to many of the swimming pools featured below!
OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOLS
[Above: ABC Pool – photo by Anna Jameson]
Andrew Boy Charlton Pool
Set on the water’s edge of Sydney Harbour next to the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens, this outdoor swimming pool has a saltwater Olympic lap pool and a decent-sized, partially shaded pool for the kids. There are sunbeds on the decking beside the kids pool to relax after a dip. You can get a bite to eat at the kiosk or dine-in at the café and enjoy the view over Woolloomooloo Bay. You will need to pay for parking if you are driving or the 441 bus stops directly outside. The pool is open September through to April.
Features:
- 50-metre outdoor lap pool
- Kids pool with sunshade
- Water views
- Café and kiosk
- Close to the Royal Botanic Gardens
Address: Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney
Phone: 9358 6686
Website: www.abcpool.org
[Above: Cabarita Swimming Centre – photo courtesy of Belgravia Leisure]
Cabarita Swimming Centre
A favourite Inner West pool, located in Concord, Cabarita Swimming Centre has a picturesque view over the Parramatta River. There are three heated saltwater pools to choose from including, an outdoor lap pool, leisure pool and a toddler pool which is completely shaded. All pools are heated to 27 degrees from September through to April. There is also plenty of space to soak up the sun after your swim. Plus, the Inner West’s one and only beach – Cabarita Beach – is located close by at the northern end of Cabarita Park.
Features:
- 50-metre heated outdoor pool
- Heated leisure pool
- Heated toddler pool with sunshade
- Water views
- Grassed area
- Kiosk
Address: Cabarita Park, Cabarita Road, Concord
Phone: 8757 3059
Website: www.cabaritaswimmingcentre.com.au
[Above: Drummoyne Swimming Centre – photo courtesy of Belgravia Leisure]
Drummoyne Swimming Centre
Located beneath the Iron Cove Bridge overlooking the Parramatta River, the Drummoyne Swimming Centre has an Olympic saltwater outdoor pool and a small toddler/kids splash pool with a sunshade. Both pools are heated to 27 degrees for the season. Open during the Summer months, it is a great pool to cool off with the family and enjoy the water views. There are lots of buses that stop along Victoria Road from the city and some limited two hour parking close by.
Features:
- 50-metre outdoor pool
- Children’s shaded splash pool
- Water views
- Kiosk
Address: 1P Henley Marine Drive, Drummoyne
Phone: 9181 1530
Website: www.drummoyneswimmingcentre.com.au
[Above: Enfield Aquatic Centre – photo by Tommy Lee Photography]
Enfield Aquatic Centre
Situated in Henley Park, The Enfield Aquatic Centre has a 50-metre outdoor pool, a 25-metre indoor pool as well as a toddler’s pool and shaded splash area. There are picnic facilities, a kiosk and plenty of parking available. Open all year round.
Features:
- 50-metre Olympic Pool
- 25-metre indoor heated pool
- Outdoor toddler pool and splash area
- Picnic facilities
- Café
- On-site parking
Address: 8 Portland St, Enfield
Phone: 9747 4319
Website: Visit the Burwood Council website
[Above: Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre – photo courtesy of FDAC]
Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre
The Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre is an open-air pool situated in lush surrounds of Petersham Park. There is an eight-lane 25-metre lap pool, a kid’s splash deck and a fenced toddler’s pool as well as plenty of space to sit including sheltered picnic tables, BBQs and a large grassed area. The swimming pool is open October to April. Petersham Train Station is a five minute walk and there are plenty of buses that stop along the Parramatta Road. On-street parking is also available.
Features:
- 25-metre heated lap pool
- Children’s splash deck with sunshade
- Toddlers pool
- Grassed area with seating around kids pool
- BBQ facilities
- Pram friendly
Address: Corner of Station Street and Lotos Street, Petersham
Phone: 9550 9145
Website: www.fdac.com.au
[Above: Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre – photo courtesy of Inner West Council]
Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre
A great family friendly venue, Leichhardt Aquatic Centre is home to six pools including the Olympic pool, diving pool, two indoor pools (including a shallow-heated indoor pool), an outdoor kids pool – with a mushroom water feature and a hydrotherapy pool. There is a large shaded grassed area next to the mushroom pool for you to relax and unwind after a dip. If you feel like doing a some laps then there is also a crèche service available for kids ages 8 weeks to 6 years old.
Features:
- Six pools (indoor and outdoor)
- Grassed picnic area
- Crèche
- Café
- Gym
- Free car park
Address: May Street, Lilyfield
Phone: 8061 9700
Website: Visit the Inner West Council website
[Above: Victoria Park Pool – photo courtesy of Belgravia Leisure]
Victoria Park Pool
Located within the tranquil Victoria Park, this swimming centre has a 50-metre Olympic pool heated to 25 degrees all year round as well as a shaded splash pool with water features to entertain the kids. There is two hours free parking on-site and a crèche service is also available during the week.
Features:
- 50-metre outdoor pool
- Children’s splash pool
- Crèche
- Free car park
Address: City Road, corner of Parramatta Road, Camperdown
Phone: 9518 4800
Website: www.vppool.com.au
INDOOR SWIMMING POOLS
[Above: Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre – photo courtesy of AKAC]
Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre
Situated in Enmore Park, Marrickville, the Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre has a 50-metre indoor pool, education pool and a splash pool with a fountain and water features for the kids to enjoy. There is limited on-street parking only.
Features:
- 50-metre indoor pool
- Education pool
- Children’s splash pool
- Crèche
- Café
- Gym
Address: Black Street, Marrickville
Phone: 9565 1906
Website: www.akac.com.au
[Above: Cook + Phillip Park Pool – photo courtesy of Belgravia Leisure]
Cook + Phillip Park Pool
The Cook + Phillip Park Pool is located in the CBD, close to St Mary’s Cathedral and features a 50-metre lap pool, a hydrotherapy pool and fantastic leisure pool heated to 30 degrees – with a beach style entry. On school holidays there is a 35-metre wave pool. Easy to get to via bus or St James Train Station or Martin Place Train Station are only a 10 minute walk.
Features:
- 50-metre indoor pool
- Hydrotherapy pool
- Leisure pool (wave pool during school holidays)
- Gym
- Kiosk
Address: 4 College Street, Sydney
Phone: 9326 0444
Website: www.cookandphillip.org.au
[Above: Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre – photo by Anna Jameson]
Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre
The Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre is a great place to spend a hot summers day and open all year round. The iconic centre – designed by architect Harry Seidler, has three indoor pools heated to 26.5 degrees including a 50-metre lap pool, an education pool and a leisure pool – that is shallow at one end, plus the kids can enjoy the water fountains and bubbles. Parking is easy as there is an on-site car park.
Features:
- 50-metre indoor heated pool
- Indoor education pool
- Indoor leisure pool
- Giant inflatable (Saturdays and Sundays)
- Kiosk
- Car park
- Fitness centre
- Sauna, spa and steam room
- Car park
Address: 458 Harris St, Ultimo
Phone: 9518 7220
Website: https://itac.org.au
Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre
As featured in the Outdoor Pool section – this centre also has multiple indoor pools for adults and children.
[Above: Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre – photo courtesy of SOPA]
Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre
The Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic centre is the ultimate all-weather pool. The world-class facility has a fantastic kids water playground with three slides, a rapid river ride, a bubble beach, spurting volcanoes and a giant tipping bucket to keep the kids (and adults!) entertained for hours. For younger kids there is a low water level area with waterspouts, leading into a shallow toddler pool. The centre can get quite busy – especially in school holidays, and if you are taking more than one child it might be good to have another adult to keep an eye out for the kids. Parking is free.
Features:
- Water playground – water slides (including a large enclosed waterslide), rapid river ride, bubble beach and many water features
- Lap pools and large leisure pool
- Babies pool
- Sauna and steam rooms
- Pram friendly
- Large outdoor garden area
- Café
- Crèche
- Free parking
Address: Olympic Blvd, Sydney Olympic Park
Phone: 9714 7500
Website: www.aquaticcentre.com.au
[Above: Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre – photo by Jeff Hawkins Photography]
Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre
Another fantastic indoor swimming pool, Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre has something to keep the whole family amused. There is a wave pool, a giant 56-metre slide, a rapid river ride and bubble whirl pools. On the last Sunday of every month, it’s Surfin’ Sunday with an inflatable obstacle course. Free parking is available on-site.
Features:
- Indoor 50-metre pool
- Indoor 25-metre pool
- Indoor 40-metre wave pool (on weekends and school holidays)
- Children’s wading pool
- Bubble whirl pools and rapid river ride
- Giant slide (on weekends and school holidays)
- Kiosk
- Four hours free parking
Address: 504 Victoria Road, Ryde
Phone: 8878 5111
Website: Visit the City of Ryde website
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