Kid-friendly swimming pools
We’ve picked out seven of the best swimming pools (natural and man-made) for little paddlers.
Botany Aquatic Centre
Outdoor pools have been under threat as larger, indoor aquatic centres that include gyms have come on the scene. So, a gem like the Botany Aquatic Centre is to be cherished. There are three pools spread across lush green lawns peppered with trees for plenty of shade. You can choose from a shaded, shallow baby pool, a waist-deep pool for bigger children and an Olympic pool for the more adventurous. àCnr Myrtle & Jasmine Sts, Botany 2019. 02 9316 6218. bayside.nsw.gov.au. Daily 6am-6pm. Adult $6.50; child $4.50.
Murray Rose Pool
This harbour pool is one of the prettiest in Sydney. You can make your way to the pool through Blackburn Gardens – a beautifully restored heritage garden with fountains and shaded areas for picnics. The pool itself is encircled with a boardwalk around the edges that kids can explore. Overlooking the pool are change rooms and a café (with all-important ice blocks!) and there’s shade from trees just back from the beach. There’s also a pontoon for the bigger kids to jump off. There are no lifeguards. à536 New South Head Rd, Double Bay 2028. www.woollahra.nsw. gov.au. Free. Ku-ring-gai Fitness and Aquatic Centre They’ve got both indoor and outdoor swimming with two indoor pools, one 50m outdoor pool and a water play area for the little ones – all set in the tranquil tree surrounds of Ku-ring-gai. àPrince of Wales Dr, West Pymble 2073. 02 9499 2005. Mon-Fri 5.30am-9pm; Sat, Sun 7am-6pm. Adult $7.20; child $5.10.
Bronte Bogey Hole
Bronte Beach itself is well known for its rough surf, but the Bogey Hole and pool are great for kids. The Bogey Hole sits at the southern end of the beach, next to the pool, and it offers protection from the surf and an abundance of rock pools for little ones to explore. It can also be a great place to first try snorkelling. If you bob around the rocks in the nearby pool you might even spot a few crabs hiding in its nooks and crannies. àBronte Beach, Bronte 2024. Free.
Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre
This indoor water playground has slippery dips, dumping water buckets, fountains, water volcanoes and a rapid river ride. While the website says suitable for toddlers, older kids enjoy this water wonderland too. à Olympic Boulevard, Sydney Olympic Park 2127. 02 9714 7500. aquaticcentre.com.au. Mon-Fri 5am-8pm; Sat, Sun, public holidays 6am-7pm (8pm Oct-Mar). Adult $8.30; child $6.30.
Shelly Beach Rock Pool
This lovely little ocean pool is great for families with small children. You enter the pool by a sandy bank, and it’s right next to grass lawns and a fenced playground so you can spend time waddling to and fro with toddlers without too much hassle. It’s not far from Cronulla Beach, and you can access the rock pool easily with a pram or wheelchair. à70- 110 Ewos Pde, Cronulla 2230. Free.
North Bondi Children’s Pool
If you can face the battle of parking or public transport, the dip will be worth your while. Icebergs is a stunning public pool at the southern end of the beach, and the children’s pool at the north end is a really popular option for families with smaller children. When the tide is in there’s an additional rock pool at the end of the paddle pool with tiny sea creatures.
à65 Ramsgate Ave, Bondi 2026. Free.
You can access the rock pool easily with a pram or wheelchair