Located in Woolloomooloo and the heart of the Sydney CBD, these pools are swimming and social spaces that provide an opportunity for individuals to relax, chat with health and wellbeing experts or stretch it out in a free yoga class. The Andrew Boy Charlton Pool is a favourite for sweeping harbour views and a bite at the recently reopened Oh Boy cafe while the Cook + Phillip Park pool provides access to the Sydney CBD waterfront and St Mary’s Cathedral.
Both are designed to support a range of aquatic and recreational activities for all age groups and abilities, including therapeutic swimming and rehabilitation, water aerobics and yoga, and will also offer specialised programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The pools were built to be a focal point of the city’s community, with public events and activities held regularly at the site. The project was an initiative of the NSW government to increase the number of swimming pools in the state and aims to improve the overall health and well-being of the community through increased participation.
The pools are set to open in mid-October and will be free to all residents and visitors to the City of Sydney. They have been designed to accommodate all ages and abilities, with the addition of an inner tube river that can be used for therapeutic and rehabilitation purposes as well as general recreation. In line with the wider City of Sydney strategy, the new facilities are being positioned as part of an interconnected network of parks and open space that will promote a healthy lifestyle to all of its residents.
Ocean pools are an iconic symbol of Sydney’s love affair with the sea. Carved out of rock platforms by convicts, they’re serene at low tide and choppy at high and, as Jordan explains, “are the original infinity pools.” However, the city hasn’t built one since the 1960s, and rising sea levels could mean that existing ones are flushed away. Luckily, councils are working to preserve and protect these unique treasures, with the Sydney Pools Foundation advocating for an ‘ocean-friendly’ approach.
Michael Easton is one of many locals who have a special place in their hearts for the suburban pool, and he’s been documenting his love for it on Instagram since 2011. He’s swum in 68 different watering holes and says that even if they were all identical, he still couldn’t pick a favourite. He explains that it’s the ‘intrinsic comfort that comes with being in water, maybe it goes back to being in utero’. Whether you’re swimming laps, splashing around with kids or relaxing at the beach, these pools are a great way to make the most of the summer sun. The Sydney Pool & Spa Show is on this weekend, so come along and get your swim on! You can check out the full range of products and services on display and get expert advice from the Swimming Pool and Spa Association of Australia (SPASA) members.
