Too cool for school ...

Canberra Pools to Cool Off in During Summer

Canberra is renowned for its hot summers, so it’s little wonder there are plenty of public swimming pools to cool off at when the mercury rises. And these are some of the most popular places to head for in the nation’s capital this summer…

Manuka Pool

An historical outdoor pool with a lovely old art deco building surrounded by lots of shady trees. This pool is popular with families because of its shady toddler area and pirate ship playground.

• Location – 10 minutes south of the CBD in New South Wales Crescent, Griffith.

• Facilities – outdoor 6 lane 30-metre pool, shaded outdoor toddlers pool, expansive shaded grounds, children’s pirate ship playground and café.

• Sessions – open in the warmer months only, weekdays 6.30am to 7pm and weekends 8am to 7pm.

AIS Aquatic Centre

The state-of-the-art aquatic facilities used by Australia’s elite athletes are open to the public and two indoor heated pools are available for public swimming. They are also available for hire and can be set up for competition swimming, water polo and many other sporting events.

• Location – in the heart of the AIS campus in Leverrier Street, Bruce.

• Facilities – 50 metre and 25 metre indoor heated pools, a swim school, fitness centre and holiday program.

• Sessions – open all year round, weekdays 6.15am to 9.50pm, weekends 6.15am to 7.50pm (lane restrictions may apply and opening times are subject to change at short notice due to AIS commitments).

Dickson Aquatic Centre

A popular outdoor swimming pool since 1960 with bbq facilities, lots of grassed areas to spread out in and a family-friendly atmosphere.  

• Location – 4 kilometres north of the city in Cowper St, Dickson.

• Facilities – 3 heated outdoor pools, 7 lane 50 metre pool, shaded learners pool, shallow toddlers pool, kids water play park, shady barbeque and picnic areas, Shark Bite Café, disabled and family change facilities with hot showers, free all day parking, beach volleyball courts, learn to swim lessons and private lessons and poolside massage therapy centre.

• Sessions – open in the warmer months only, weekdays 6am to 7pm, weekends 8am to 7pm.

Gungahlin Leisure Centre

A large new facility run by the YMCA, with 3 pools, a creche, a gym and a wide range of classes and programs.

• Location – the Valley Avenue, Gungahlin.

• Facilities – 50 metre indoor pool, toddler pool, 25 metre pool for programs, crèche, gym, café, swimming lessons, squad training and fitness classes,

• Sessions – open all year around, weekdays 5.30am to 9.30pm, weekends 7am to 7.30pm.

Canberra Olympic Pool

Run by the YMCA, this popular pool is conveniently located in the CBD, making it ideal for local workers and tourists wishing to drop in for a quick swim.

• Location – in the heart of the city, corner of Allara Street and Constitution Avenue.

• Facilities – 50 metre indoor pool, toddler pool, 25 metre outdoor dive pool, picnic areas, kiosk, gym classes, aqua aerobics, children's swimming lessons, school holiday programs and swimming and water safety lessons for people with disabilities.

• Sessions – open all year round, weekdays 5.30am to 9pm, Saturdays 7am to 7pm and Sundays 8am to 7pm.

Big Splash Waterpark

Something for everyone, with a 50 metre pool with an inflatable obstacle course for the kids, 9 water slides, a toddler pool and play area, a hot and cold food outlet and lots of shady areas to relax and take a break.

• Location – Catchpole St, Macquarie.

• Facilities – 50 metre pool, 9 slides, kiddies pool, Splash Island, pool inflatables, play pool and kiosk.

• Sessions – open in the warmer months only, 10am to 6pm every day.

Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre

This popular centre offers the best of both worlds, with an outdoor swimming area open over summer with 3 pools, a waterslide, BBQs and a kiosk and an Olympic size ice skating rink for family fun during the winter months.

• Location – 20 minutes south of the city in Irving Street, Phillip.

• Facilities – heated 50 metre 8 lane swimming pool, 20 metre learners pool, toddlers pool, free waterslide, barbeque facilities, kiosk and group private swimming lessons by appointment.

• Sessions – pool open in warmer months only, weekdays 6am to 6pm and weekends 7am to 6pm.

Lakeside Leisure Centre

Run by the YMCA, this popular centre has 3 different indoor pools and an outdoor splash park for the kids with buckets, sprays and fountains shooting water in every direction.

• Location – 25 minutes south of the city, corner Anketell Street and Athllon Drive, Greenway.

• Facilities – 50 metre lap pool, 25 metre heated indoor leisure pool, baby pool, shallow toddler pool, creche, cafe , health club and group fitness studio.

• Sessions – indoor pool open all year round and Splash Park open in the warmer months only, weekdays 5.30am to 9.30pm, weekends 7am to 7.30pm.

Swimming safety

Every child should learn to swim, not only for their own safety, but also for the sheer enjoyment that splashing about in the water brings. So if you’d like to use your leisure time at the pool as productively as possible, why not sign the kids up for swimming lessons while you’re there.

Centres that offer lessons for all ages with accredited instructors include Kingswim at the Deakin Swimming School in King Street Deakin, the Swim School at Dickson Aquatic Centre in Cowper St, Dickson and Gungahlin Leisure Centre in Valley Avenue, Gungahlin.

And when you’re in Gungahlin, don’t forget that the Marketplace Gungahlin offers FREE summer holiday entertainment. So come down, shop up a storm, dine on delicious food and check out what’s on in air conditioned comfort.