7 Best Public Swimming Pools In Brisbane - Our Top Picks
Greater Brisbane is home to a variety of swimming venues. Whether you prefer man-made beaches, aquatic centres, Olympic-sized lap pools, or more shallow and mellow waters, you are sure to find a great pool to visit.
In this article, we will review a list of our top 7 picks for the best public swimming pools in Brisbane while providing essential information about each location such as facilities, class offerings, opening times, and entry fees.
Public Pools In Brisbane
Chermside Aquatic Centre
Chermside Aquatic Centre has a 25-metre-long heated outdoor concrete pool, an indoor hydro pool, and a seasonal outdoor waterpark. The waterpark features a variety of slides, tube rides, obstacle courses, a wading pool, and a kids’ play pool.
Classes
This aquatic centre offers the Rackley Swimming learn-to-swim programs, adult group fitness programs, and squads. Complete with an on-site cafe, this location also allows bookings for group events such as birthday parties.
Opening Hours & Prices
The pools open on weekdays at 5 am and close at 8 pm, except for on Fridays when the pool closes an hour early. Weekend hours are from 6:30 am - 6 pm. Entry fees to the pools are relatively affordable, starting at $6.20 for an adult and $4.60 for a child.
The waterpark is open 10 am - 5 pm on weekends, public holidays, and school holidays during the summer swimming season. This area has different entry fees, starting at $17.50 for those 15 years of age or older, $15.30 for a child aged 6-14, and $7 for a child aged 2-5.
Many other entry fee schedules exist in addition to these prices, including family package deals, so be sure to check out the Chermside Aquatic Centre’s official webpage when planning your visit.
Newmarket Olympic Pool
Newmarket Olympic Swimming Pool features a heated, 50-metre Olympic-sized pool alongside other pools and additional facilities. Other pools on the property include a 25-metre pool and a kids’ pool play area complete with a tipping bucket.
Classes
Millers Swim School at Newmarket Olympic Pool offers swimming lessons for both adults and children, starting at the age of six months.
Each learn-to-swim lesson is 30 minutes in duration and there are twelve levels in the swimming certification program through which each student progresses through.
This location also offers a range of adult group fitness classes, including deep water running, aqua aerobics, water yoga, parent and child exercise programs, and an adult swim squad. Other facilities at this location include a playground and picnic tables.
Opening Hours
During the summer swimming season, Newmarket Olympic Swimming Pool is open 7 days a week. The pools open on weekdays at 5:30 am and close at 7 pm, except for on Fridays when the pools close an hour early.
Weekend hours are from 8 am - 6 pm. Hours may vary during public holidays, including routine closings during the Christmas and New Year’s periods.
Prices
Standard entry fees for adults ages 15 and older are $6.20, while children ages 2-14 get in for $4.60. Children under the age of 2 get in free, and additional ticket prices are available for concessions holders or those looking to purchase a family pass.
Ithaca Pool
Ithaca Pool, located in the heart of Paddington, Brisbane City, is open during the Summer swim season lasting September through April.
Featuring a heated, outdoor, 25-metre-long saltwater renovated pool, this hidden oasis is nestled into a community park. Best for a relaxing day in the water, this venue offers natural areas, disabled access, a shaded shallow area, and a learn-to-swim pool.
Classes
Swimming lessons for children at Ithaca Pool are done with the parent/carer in the water and are available for children starting at six months of age.
Once your child reaches age five, they can partake in the ability-based swim program which separates kids into different cohorts, allowing them to focus on adapting new swimming skills.
Classes for adults are also available at Ithaca Pool, including aqua-based aerobics, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), yoga, and coach-led adult swim squads.
This pool has a summer swim season that operates from September-April and has reduced hours outside of this period. The pool is closed for six weeks in the winter, ranging from mid-June to mid-August.
Opening Hours
During the summer season, the pool is open from 5:30 am - 7 pm, except for on Fridays when the pool closes an hour early. Weekend hours are from 8 am - 6 pm. During the off-season, opening hours are on weekdays from 6 am - 11 am and 3:30 pm - 6 pm.
On Saturdays in April, the pool is open from 8 am - 4 pm, while all other non-summer Saturday hours are from 8 am - 1 pm. The pool is closed on Sundays from June through mid-September.
Prices
Entry fees to the pools are standard among municipal pools in Brisbane and start at $6.20 for an adult and $4.60 for a child. Different ticket prices are available for groups, families, carers, and non-swimmers.
Yeronga Park Memorial Swimming Pool
The Memorial Swimming Pool at Yeronga Park contains four different outdoor pools with fencing, including a 50-metre pool with eight lanes, a 25-metre pool with fifteen lanes, a general-purpose wading pool with fountains, and a separate learn-to-swim area with shallow entry zones.
Three of the outdoor pools are heated, the 50m pool is 26°C, the 25m pool is 28°C, and the learn-to-swim area is a comfortable 32°C.
Classes
This location is a participant in Shelly’s Swim School, which aims to develop safe and confident swimmers by offering classes year-round.
There are also more adult-oriented offerings, including a swim-fit program, aqua classes including deep water running, aerobics, gentle aerobics, and a water bubs community where pregnant parents swim for free.
Opening Hours
In the summer season that lasts from September-April, the Memorial Swimming Pool at Yeronga Park opens on weekdays from 5 am - 7:30 pm, except for on Fridays, when the pool closes a half-hour early. Saturday hours are 5:30 am - 6 pm, while Sunday hours are 7:30 am - 6 pm.
In the winter season, the pool is open on weekdays from 5 am - 7:30 pm and closes at 6 pm on Fridays. Saturday hours are 5:30 am - 1 pm, while Sunday hours are 7 am - 1 pm. Public holiday hours are from 9 am - 1 pm during the winter and 9 am - 5 pm in the summer.
Prices
Standard entry fees start at $4.60 for children aged 2-15 and $6.20 for adults aged 16 or older. Different fees are available for those who qualify for concessions pricing, non-swimming spectator fees, and family group passes.
Spring Hill Baths
Spring Hill Baths is a heritage-listed inground swimming pool that was originally built in 1886.
Complete with classic-style changing rooms, grandstand seating and tiled surrounds, Spring Hill Baths offer a unique historical and aesthetically-pleasing swimming venue. This location offers a 25-metre heated lap pool.
Classes
This aquatic centre offers the Rackley Swimming learn-to-swim programs and adult group fitness programs such as aqua aerobics and swim squads.
Opening Hours
The pools open on weekdays at 6:30 am and close at 7 pm, except for on Fridays when the pool closes an hour early. Weekend hours are from 8 am - 6 pm.
Prices
Entry fees to the pools are standard among municipal pools in Brisbane and start at $6.20 for an adult and $4.60 for a child. Different ticket prices are available for groups, families, carers, and non-swimmers.
Check out the official website for more information.
Valley Pool
The Valley Pool in Fortitude Valley is a popular spot for recreational swimmers and athletes alike.
Showcasing a 50-metre Olympic-length outdoor heated swimming pool with grandstand seating. This location will also accept bookings for corporate events and private functions with catering options available.
This pool offers swimming lessons for both children and adults, an on-site cafe, a fitness centre, and water polo.
Opening Hours
Public opening hours for the pool are from 5 am - 7:30 pm on weekdays, except for on Fridays when the pool closes an hour early. Saturday hours are from 5 am - 6 pm while Sunday hours are from 7 am - 6 pm. On public holidays, the pool is open from 7 am - 6 pm.
Prices
Admission prices to the pool follow standard public rates in Queensland, starting at $6.20 for an adult and $4.60 for a child. Different ticket prices are available for those that qualify for concessions pricing, as well as groups, families, carers, and non-swimmers.
Wynnum Wading Pool
Wynnum Wading Pool is a seawater-filled tidal pool that is refreshed with new water every high tide.
Although this pool is not man-made, it is still a very popular swimming option in the bayside Wynnum area. The pool is 128 x 54 metres and is 0.75 metres deep at the deepest point. There are also picnic facilities, showers, and changing rooms available for use.
Wynnum Wading Pool, occasionally called the Wynnum Water Park, is free to enter, and is open 24/7. Unlike other pools on the list, lifeguards are not always available at this wading pool, so all children must be fully supervised.
Conclusion
There are so many good swimming venues in Brisbane that it can be difficult to narrow down your options.
While we feel that the pools we have listed make the best public pools in Brisbane, there are plenty of other pools and waterparks located around the city that are worth a visit.
Do you have any questions about the best public swimming pools in Brisbane? Get in touch with us, we’d love to help answer any remaining questions you may have!
Louis
A chemical engineer by trade, Louis is committed to debunking myths in the pool industry by explaining the underlying chemistry and making it accessible to all.