The Best Swimming Pools In Sydney

Sydney/Eora rules the roost when it comes to surf beaches, secret beaches, and cliffside ocean pools. But we’re also a city rich with incredibly stunning outdoor swimming pools. So, in the spirit of springtime—here we bring you Sydney's most scenic spots to swim some laps, from harbourside pools to inner-city ones in picturesque parks to massive new aquatic centres with outdoor Olympic pools.

Before you head out, we recommend checking the pool's website to see whether they have reopened yet, as some are open year-round while others reopen in spring. 

These are Urban List's top picks for the best swimming pools in Sydney

Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool

1c Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney

Image credit: Andrew (Boy) Charlton | Instagram

It doesn’t get much better than doing a couple of laps harbourside on a sunny day. The piece de resistance at Andrew (Boy) Charlton is the eight-lane 50m outdoor swimming pool which gets heated to a glorious 25-degrees and treated with a touch of seawater (kisses fingers).

You’ll find a flurry of sunbeds around the pool deck, perfect for a post-swim dry-off and the grandstand also offers up a recluse from the sun with shaded protection. 

Insider Intel

• The pools cafe has recently been taken over by Artificer Coffee, Between Lines and Lune, including a book kiosk that you can peruse before setting up in the sun. 

Maccallum Seawater Pool

Milson Road, Cremorne Point

Image credit: Maccallum Seawater Pool | Instagram

Maccallum Pool is a heritage 33-metre saltwater pool right on the edge of Sydney Harbour at Cremorne Point. The pool fills with water from the harbour, making it the next best thing to taking a dip in Sydney's waters—and the views of the skyline make a dip here worth the walk.

Insider Intel

• The timber deck is ideal for sunbathing—grab a bite from North Sydney before you head down. 

Gunyama Park Aquatic And Recreation Centre

17 Zetland Ave, Zetland

Image credit: Gunyama Park | Instagram

​​Located in Sydney’s Green Square development, Gunyama Park Aquatic And Recreation Centre is the largest built in Sydney since the 2000 Olympics. Opening in 2021, the pool is the result of over three years of design and construction and it takes its inspiration from Sydney’s famed ocean pools. The kicker? It’s also one of the most accessible and sustainable pools in Australia.

The outdoor pool here spans an Olympic 50-metres and sits within a larger beach pool. There’s also an indoor leisure pool, a 25-metre pool, and a heated hydrotherapy pool.

Insider Intel

• Alongside all the water fun, Gunyama Park also includes picnic facilities, training circuits, a health and fitness centre, an outdoor yoga deck, and even a multipurpose sports field—just casually. 

Dawn Fraser Baths

Elkington Park, Fitzroy Avenue, Balmain

Image credit: Sydney Site Photography | Instagram

Contemplating your first dip of the season? Even if you're one of those Sydneysiders who swims year-round, if you live in the Inner West you'll be aware of Balmain's iconic swimming hole, the Dawn Fraser Baths. The heritage-listed public harbour pool was first built in 1880 and is the oldest pool and swimming club in Australia. 

Insider Intel

• Water quality in Sydney Harbour often varies, so always check before you head down.

Marrinawi Cove

Barangaroo Point Reserve, Barangaroo

Image credit: Barangaroo Sydney | Instagram

Marrinawi Cove is a hidden harbourside plunge off the shores of Barangaroo. Only 700 square metres in size, the pool is fully netted—with sculpted sandstone steps, and native flora decorating the surrounds.

Insider Intel

• Shark nets are anchored to the harbour floor, so you don't have to worry about marine predators interrupting your swim. 

Mount Druitt Swimming Centre

7 Mount Street, Mount Druitt

Image credit: Mount Druitt Swimming Centre | Instagram

Having opened back in 1975, Mount Druitt Swimming Centre easily sports one of the most beautiful outdoor pools in Sydney. Unsurprisingly, this local swimming haven is the place to be in summer, with its large, sprawling grass areas, picnic tables, sun shelters, and natural shade for a bit of respite from the sun, too.

Insider Intel

• Still bearing its 70s pool vibe, the eight-lane outdoor pool (Olympic-size) is the main attraction here, perfect for a few laps any time of the day. 

Victoria Park Pool

City Road, Corner of Parramatta Road, Camperdown

Image credit: Victoria Park Pool | Instagram

Victoria Park Pool may be in one of the unlikeliest locations in Sydney. The inner-city pool rests in the apex of Victoria Park, just opposite The Lansdowne, watched over by Sydney Uni. The main outdoor swimming pool here is an eight-lane, 50m heated pool (sitting around 26 degrees).

Insider Intel

• There's also a range of facilities to assist anyone with additional needs or rehabilitation needs, and a lane space available at all times with a pool access hoist for full support on entry and exiting the water. 

Prince Alfred Park Pool

105 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills

Image credit: Prince Alfred Park Pool | Instagram

Also known as “Redfern Beach”, Prince Alfred Park Pool is the swimming hole of choice for inner-city and Inner West locals keen to skip the traffic and the crowds at Bondi. Beneath bright yellow sunshades, Prince Alfred Park Pool has a fully accessible heated outdoor pool that features a green roof of native grass to regulate temperature.

Insider Intel

• Keep an eye out for the park's permanent rainbow path, too, which was created to commemorate the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Australia. 

Des Renford Aquatic Centre 

Jersey Road & Robey Street, Maroubra

Locals will still remember this Sydney swimming pool as Heffron Pool but it was renamed Des Renford Aquatic Centre just before the 2000 Olympics in honour of Aussie long-distance swimmer Desmond Renford. Des held the impressive title of King of the Channel, having swum the English Channel 19 times through his life (with 19 attempts). The aquatic centre has long been a place for long-distance swimmers to train and holds a rich history of young competitive athletes, too.

The Des Renford Aquatic Centre has undergone huge revamps over the years and you’ll find five different pools here to make the most of.

Insider Intel

• The 50m outdoor pool is the most famous (and it’s the pool of choice for many a school swimming carnival at the start of each year too).

Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre

Mary St, Lilyfield

Image credit: Inner West Aquatics | Instagram

Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre is the ultimate place to be on a hot summer’s day in Sydney and yes, that’s a pastel pink dive tower bringing an old-school Olympic aesthetic. The outdoor Olympic-size pool features seven lanes and a pool hoist and big wide-open views of the Parramatta River.

Insider Intel

• And good news, if you’re here to crawl your way through a few laps on the weekend, you can always hit the epic Rozelle Markets for a post-swim feed. 

North Sydney Olympic Pool

4 Alfred Street S, Milsons Point

Image credit: North Sydney Living | Instagram

If doing a couple of laps with Australia’s most iconic landmark as your backdrop is hot on your to-do list, you’re going to want to make a splash at North Sydney Olympic Pool. Fun fact: 86 world records were set at this pool by legends of the sport including Shane Gould and Lorraine Crapp (plus, it’s also been the pool of choice for Dawn Fraser, Murray Rose, and other Aussie swimming greats). 

This open-air pool is Olympic-size and, with the Harbour Bridge’s arches stretching into the sky behind it, it truly is one of the most beautiful swimming spots in Sydney.

Insider Intel

• On the harbourside, you’ll find remnants of the pool’s 1930s architecture with a series of multi-coloured brick arches with various keystones shaping into parrots, scallop shells, and fish.

North Sydney Olympic Pool is currently closed due to construction. It will reopen once complete: read more online. 

Parramatta Aquatic Centre

7A Park Parade, Parramatta

Image credit: Mcgregor Coxall | Instagram

Western Sydney’s notoriously sweltering summers are made a whole lot cooler at the Parramatta Aquatic Centre. The epic $88.6 million space sits within Parramatta Park’s scenic garden surrounds, backing onto Park Parade and the nearby train line.

With its ultra-sleek, circular design, complete with a sun-soaked pool lawn and state-of-the-art facilities, it’s sure to become your new favourite spot to take a casual dip or get your regular strokes in. Budding Thorpies can practice their cannonball in the 50m, 10-lane heated outdoor pool or the 25m indoor recreational pool, while littlies and big kids alike can enjoy the indoor Learn to Swim pool and splash play area.

Insider Intel

• Plus, the centre has a gym and fitness rooms as well as spa and sauna facilities. 

Main image credit: Prince Alfred Park Pool | Instagram

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