'New summer swimming spot': Millions offered incredible free deal

Sydney council is throwing open the doors of some of its pools on the first Saturday of summer, allowing millions to cool down for free.

Bianca Soldani
·Contributor
·3-min read
Enjoy a dip at pools like Prince Albert Park without spending a cent to celebrate the start of summer. Image: Josef Nalevansky, City of Sydney
Enjoy a dip at pools like Prince Albert Park without spending a cent to celebrate the start of summer. Image: Josef Nalevansky, City of Sydney

Being in or around water is synonymous with an Aussie summer, whether that be the beach, a pool or the sprinkler in a mate’s backyard. And with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting warmer than average days and nights across most of Australia this summer, it sounds like we’ll all be in need of a cool down.

Fortunately for those in Sydney, the council is throwing open the doors of some of its pools on the first Saturday of summer, giving millions of residents the opportunity to go for a dip for free in some of the city’s premier swimming locations. With the temperature set to reach around 34 degrees this weekend, the timing couldn't be better.

“Our annual open days aim to promote health and wellbeing, showcase our world-class centres, foster a sense of community and combat social isolation,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore AO, tells Yahoo Lifestyle.

“Our centres are designed to welcome people of all ages and the open days offer something for everyone.”

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She encourages Sydneysiders to come along and “fall in love with a new summer swimming spot.”

The Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre in Ultimo, the Cook + Phillip Park Pool in the city centre, Prince Alfred Park Pool in Surry Hills, Victoria Park Pool in Camperdown, and the Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre in Zetland will all be free to enter from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 7. Normally, entry to these pools costs around $8 for adults and $6 for children, or around $21 for a family of four.

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Free gym entry for Sydneysiders

Even better value is that these centres are also offering free entry into their gyms and to a number of exercise classes, with sunrise yoga, Pilates, and HIIT classes all on offer. Limited places are available for these, so booking is essential. However, general access to the gym, which normally costs around $25, does not require booking and will also be free.

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At the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre in particular, you can also make use of their steam room and sauna after a workout and a swim.

Meanwhile, toddlers and young kids can enjoy splashing around in the outdoor water fountains at the Prince Alfred Park Pool and Victoria Park Pool, and primary school-aged kids will have fun using the indoor waterslides and play area at the Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre, and the wave machine at the Cook + Phillip Park Pool.

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The latter is a particularly good option for families wanting to make a day of it as the Cook + Phillip Park Pool is located next to Hyde Park, which is great for a picnic lunch, and the Australian Museum, which has free entry for many of its exhibitions and a large children’s play and learn space which is also free.

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