Few things encapsulate Australian life like a sunny day at the beach or pool. We learn to swim here, spend our holidays here, sing louder to Thirsty Merc and laugh louder with friends – and many families even use these locations as gathering places for summer birthday parties and family reunions!
Sydney, with its sprawling coastline and picturesque harbour, boasts an abundance of urban public pools for residents to use; however, many opt for having their own in-ground or aboveground swimming pool in their backyard to make for year-round splashing around and relaxation.
Therefore, we asked some locals which Sydney pools they enjoy the most – read on and discover some of its hidden gems!
Bronte lies just south of Bondi and makes for an idyllic swimming spot, featuring an ocean-fed lap pool tucked into its southern headland. Free entry makes Bronte ideal for family picnics; its grassy park boasts barbecue facilities.
Inner city pools like this inner-city one are popular among swimmers for their tranquil atmosphere, stunning views and easy accessibility. Many national and international swimmers call it home; several national and international records have also been set in this pool over its long history.
Though Inner Sydney residents have welcomed and supported this historic pool, many other council-owned and operated pools across Australia may not fare so well. Although nine in 10 Australians live within 20-minutes drive of a public aquatic centre, access isn’t equal across regions – western suburbs of Sydney such as Parramatta, Penrith and Hills Shire in council areas like Parramatta have over 134,000 residents per facility while Mosman and Randwick in Melbourne only host about 7,000 per facility.
In February, both Sydney Pool & Spa Expo and Victoria Pool Show reported an attendance increase of 24 per cent, mirroring an increasing sense that swimming pools have come back into favour for Australian households. These figures demonstrate how swimming pools have made an incredible comeback.
Those in Sydney looking for new pools may wish to consider getting them built this spring or autumn while prices are at their lowest point. That doesn’t mean reliable builders may not still be available later in the season – there may just be more choices for pool installation in Sydney during these seasons.