🏊‍♀️ Swimming Pools

Year-round and seasonal pools with facilities for serious swimmers and families

Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre

Indoor 50m pool plus splash pool with water features. The indoor setting offers year-round sun-safe swimming, making it perfect for families with young children.

Location Enmore Park
Cost Paid entry
Season Year-round

Features

Indoor
Dedicated Splash Pool
Kiosk with Sundeck
Limited Parking
Excellent for Young Kids
Public Transport Nearby
Website
Ashfield Aquatic Centre

Five pools, including 50m outdoor and leisure pools, plus crèche, café and extensive gym facilities.

Location Ashfield
Cost Paid entry
Season Year-round

Features

Indoor
Outdoor
All Ages
Five Pools
Crèche
On-site Café
Public Transport Nearby
Parking
Website
Cabarita Swimming Centre

Three heated pools (50m, program, and toddler) in a stunning parkland setting. The 27°C water temperature and extensive park facilities make it perfect for a family day out.

Location Cabarita Park, Concord
Cost Paid entry
Season Seasonal (Sep-Apr)

Features

Outdoor
Natural Shade
BBQ Facilities in the Park
On-site Kiosk
All Ages
Dedicated Toddler Pool
Public Transport Nearby
Street Parking
Website
Drummoyne Swimming Centre

Heated salt-water Olympic pool with dedicated shaded toddler splash area. The green spaces and riverside setting make it feel more like a park day out than just a pool visit.

Location Cabarita Road, Drummoyne
Cost Paid entry
Season Seasonal (Sep-Apr)

Features

Outdoor
Great for Toddlers
Dedicated Shaded Splash Area
Public Transport Nearby
Street Parking
Website
Enfield Aquatic Centre

Classic neighbourhood pool featuring a 25m indoor pool, a 50m outdoor pool (open October to April), an Outdoor Splash Park, and a program pool.

Location Henley Park, Enfield
Cost Paid entry
Season Year-round

Features

Indoor
Outdoor (seasonal)
Great for Little Kids
Splash Park
Public Transport Nearby
Parking
Website
Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre

Classic open-air pool in a beautiful parkland setting with an extended season. Features a 25m outdoor pool, a toddler pool, and a splash pad. The park location and Splash café make it perfect for relaxed family days with picnic vibes.

Location Petersham Park
Cost Paid entry
Season 1 September - 30 April

Features

Outdoor
Natural Park Shade
Splash Café
BBQ facilities in Nearby Park
All Ages
Splash Pad
Public Transport Nearby
Limited Parking
Website
Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre

State-of-the-art aquatic centre featuring a heated 50m pool, program pool, leisure pool with spa, plus sauna, steam rooms, and gym facilities. Ideal for serious swimmers seeking year-round indoor training in top-notch facilities.

Location Ultimo
Cost Paid entry
Season Year-round

Features

Indoor
On-site Café
Best for Older Kids & Adults
Public Transport Nearby
Limited Parking
Website
Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre

5 pools, including an outdoor 50m pool, a dive pool, a hydrotherapy pool, an indoor toddler pool, and the outdoor mushroom pool. The mushroom pool is currently closed and undergoing an upgrade (plus adding a new splash pad, BBQ, and shade structures).

Location Lilyfield
Cost Paid entry
Season Year-round, with the Mushroom Pool seasonal

Features

Indoor
Outdoor
On-site Café
Great for all ages when upgrades are complete
Public Transport Nearby
Parking
Website
Victoria Park Pool

Convenient 50m pool with a leisure centre right by major transport routes. The toddler pool is also available. The proximity to Victoria Park's extensive shaded lawns adds to the appeal for families.

Location Camperdown
Cost Paid entry
Season Year-round

Features

Outdoor
BBQ Facilities in Park
On-site Café
All Ages
Public Transport Nearby
Limited Parking
Website

🌊 Harbour Swimming

Natural harbour and river swimming spots with scenic views

Bayview Park Baths

Netted river swimming area with proper picnic facilities and an accessible design. The car park and extensive BBQ areas make it perfect for larger family gatherings.

Location Concord, Parramatta River
Cost Free
Season Year-round

Features

Outdoor
Some Natural Shade
Netted Swimming Area
BBQ Facilities
All Ages
Public Transport Nearby
Street Parking
Accessible Design
Website
Cabarita Beach

A natural riverside beach located within the same park as the swimming centre. Perfect for families seeking a sandy beach and a natural water experience.

Location Cabarita Park, Concord
Cost Free
Season Year-round

Features

Outdoor
Shaded Areas
Natural Sandy Beach
BBQ Facilities
Shared Kiosk
Ideal for Young Kids
Public Transport Nearby
Street Parking
Website
Chiswick Baths

Quiet netted river swimming spot with scenic views under Gladesville Bridge. More peaceful than other harbour options, but note the closure policy after heavy rain.

Location Bortfield Drive, Chiswick
Cost Free
Season Year-round (closed 3 days after heavy rain)

Features

Outdoor
Natural Shade
BBQ Facilities
Café Nearby
Better for Older Kids and Adults seeking Relaxation
Public Transport Nearby
Street Parking
Website
Dawn Fraser Baths

Australia's oldest tidal harbour pool with iconic nets and a historic kiosk. The harbour views and heritage setting make it a quintessential Sydney swimming experience.

Location Elkington Park, Balmain
Cost Paid entry
Season Seasonal, Opens late September (check Beachwatch for water quality)

Features

Outdoor Harbour Setting
Some Shelter
Historic Kiosk On-site
Better for Older Kids & Adults due to Tidal Nature
Public Transport Nearby
Street Parking
Website

💦 Water Play & Splash Zones

Free interactive water features and splash playgrounds perfect for young families

Darling Harbour Playground

Fountains, jets and jungle gym equipment offering variety for different ages. The combination of water play and traditional playground equipment suits different energy levels. Note: currently under maintenance until 25 September 2025.

Location Darling Harbour
Cost Free
Season Year-round (maintenance until 25 Sep 2025)

Features

Outdoor
Some Shelter
Numerous Cafés & Restaurants
All Ages
Public Transport Nearby
Paid Parking
Website
King George Park Playground

New all-inclusive playground featuring a water play area, plus stunning views of the Parramatta River. Developed with the Touched by Olivia Foundation for all-abilities access.

Location Manning Street, Rozelle
Cost Free
Season Year-round

Features

Outdoor
Sailcloths & Trees for Shade
BBQ facilities
All Ages and Abilities
Inclusive Playground
Water Play for Younger Kids
Public Transport Nearby
Parking
Website
Livvi's Place Timbrell Park

Inclusive playground with water play features, part of the Touched by Olivia Foundation network. Established an inclusive play space with a dedicated water play area for cooling off.

Location Five Dock
Cost Free
Season Year-round

Features

Outdoor
Shade Structures
BBQ Facilities
On-site Café
All Ages and Abilities
Inclusive Playground
Water Play for Younger Kids
Public Transport Nearby
Street Parking
Website
Pirrama Park Playground

Gentle water play with jets in a harbour-side setting. The smaller scale and harbour views make it less overwhelming for younger children than larger water play areas.

Location Pyrmont
Cost Free
Season Year-round (8am-6pm, closed Tuesdays)

Features

Outdoor
Some Shade
Limited BBQ Facilities
Limited Nearby Café Options
Water Play for Younger Kids
Public Transport Nearby
Limited Parking
Website
Rozelle Parklands

New multi-purpose parkland built on the old Rozelle Railyards site with a Hills Hoist-inspired water play unit and wetland boardwalks. Industrial-themed playground reflects the area's heritage.

Location Lilyfield Road, Rozelle
Cost Free
Season Year-round

Features

Outdoor
Minimal Shade
BBQ Facilities
All Ages
Water Play for Younger Kids
Public Transport Nearby
Street Parking
Website
Steel Park Waterplay

Free interactive water features themed around river cycles and environmental themes. The covered picnic areas and BBQ facilities make it easy to spend the whole day here.

Location Marrickville South
Cost Free
Season 1 September - 30 April (9am-6pm daily)

Features

Outdoor
Covered Picnic Areas & Shade Structures
BBQ Facilities
Perfect for Young Kids & Toddlers
Public Transport Nearby
Parking
Website
Putney Park

A large water play area featuring two shallow splash pools connected by a creek, situated on the banks of the Parramatta River. The landscaping features colourful spheres, cubes and pyramids, making it visually striking.

Location Pellisier Road, Putney
Cost Free
Season Year-round

Features

Outdoor with Shade Sails & Trees
BBQ Facilities
Café Nearby
All Ages - Separate Areas for Younger & Older Children
Water Play for Younger Kids
Limited Public Transport
Parking
Website
Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre & Splashers Playground

Iconic indoor pools with slides, a rapid river ride, and a giant water playground. The year-round indoor facilities and extensive water features make it worth the trip from the Inner West.

Location Sydney Olympic Park
Cost Paid entry
Season Year-round

Features

Indoor
On-site Café
Excellent for Toddlers through Teenagers
Public Transport Nearby
Paid Parking
Website

🛟 Safety Notes

  • Always check Beachwatch status for harbour and river swimming locations, especially after rain.
  • Seasonal facilities (Drummoyne, Cabarita, Fanny Durack, Steel Park) operate roughly September to April - always confirm current hours.
  • Most pool facilities require an entry fee; harbour/river baths and water play areas are usually free.
  • Indoor options (Annette Kellerman, Ian Thorpe, Leichhardt, Olympic Park) provide year-round swimming regardless of the weather.