Sydney’s spectacular stretches of sand and magical harbour are the city’s well-known draws, but its burgeoning pool culture is a lesser-known gem. From humble rock pools hewn out of beach headlands to high tech aquatic leisure parks, there are more than 40 seawater pools up and down the coast.
Amid the flurry of travel restrictions and health warnings, swimming pools are fast becoming Sydney’s go-to family day out. And with a handy app that lets you book 130 Sydney pools by the hour, it’s easier than ever to make an unforgettable splash.
But if you’re seeking an intimate pool party, where Thirsty Merc can be turned up loud and the gang can get silly, it’s best to skip the public pool and head for your own backyard.
Concrete is a great material for pools, not just because it’s cost effective, but because it allows you to customise and personalise your space with a range of finishes, colours, coping options and lighting options. Concrete pools also adapt to changing lifestyles, providing a flexible platform for future enhancements.
For more than a century, the iconic North Sydney Olympic Pool has been Sydney’s premier harbour swimming spot. The oldest in the southern hemisphere, it is an important heritage landmark that has seen Australia’s first swimming and water polo clubs develop and thrive here. It also hosted the Empire Games, the forerunner to the Commonwealth Games, in 1938.
But it’s a bit of a hive of controversy at the moment – for the third time since it was built in 1936, it is closed for a redevelopment project. This time it’s to make way for a new pool that will be used to host events in the 2024 Olympics.
Located on the western side of Cremorne Point in Sydney’s North Shore, this historic pool is one of the most beautiful harbour pools in the city. It’s small enough to swim laps, ringed with plenty of shaded spots and surrounded by the picturesque backdrop of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
If you want to take in the breathtaking views, visit during a sunrise swim, when the water is especially serene. It is a popular spot for locals, but be warned, it gets crowded very quickly on sunny weekends.