For people who want to enjoy the sea breeze and the ocean surf but don’t have a natural beach nearby, sidney pools are a godsend. There are 40 seawater pools up and down the coast of Sydney – most of them free to use. They range in size from a shallow children’s pool to an Olympic-size 50-meter lap pool. These pools are designed to protect swimmers from dangerous waves and sharks. Many of them are tucked into cliff tops, jutting out from the edge of beaches or, like Narrabeen’s spectacular timber platform, hinged off a curve on the cliff.
Some are the size of a swimming pool, others are small pools in the shape of an egg, and still others, such as those at Palm Beach, the wealthy enclave 25 miles north of downtown Sydney where movie stars and moguls vacation, are massive rock pools. There are also more conventional manmade pools such as the one at the Australian Museum and a number of artificial lakes.
The earliest of the pool were built in the 1890s to encourage recreational and competitive swimming, which was becoming popular in Australia at the time. Then, as now, few Australians were good swimmers, so they needed a safe place to swim. In addition to allowing people to do laps, these pools were also meant as a place to socialize.
Today, there are a variety of reasons to visit a sidney pools, from sunbathing pontoons to al fresco cafes and toilets. And they aren’t just for swimming: They can be used for yoga, resistance training and other forms of exercise. A few even offer therapeutic treatments like massage and hydrotherapy.
Whether you want to do a few slow laps, take a break from the pounding of the surf or just soothe your jetlag with a relaxing dip, these pools are a must for visitors and locals alike. And they are all open on Saturday, giving Sydney residents and visitors free access to six pools around the city.
If you’re looking for a great way to relax and recharge, head to the Andrew “Boy” Charlton Pool, which sits in Woolloomooloo Bay on The Domain. The eight-lane, salt-water pool is heated to a balmy 25 degrees and has a 20m Program Pool that’s perfect for babies and toddlers.
You can catch the ferry to the park from Circular Quay and spend the day lounging in the water or enjoying the facilities. There’s also a sauna and a cute little cafe on site. And if you need to freshen up after your dip, there are showers and changing rooms nearby. It’s a perfect family day out or even just a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
