Living in a country that seems to bask in an almost perpetual summer climate means our Brisbane Kids are always looking for fun ways to beat the heat. Backyard swimming pools are often the first point of call, but if you are without a hole in the yard (or even if you are after something with a few more water play options) then our local public swimming pools are an absolute godsend. Brisbane City Councilโs pools allow you to do more of what you love, including enjoying the beautiful climate and connecting with the people and places that make our city great.
Not just for those old enough to swim unaided, many of Councilโs pools now offer areas that are specifically designed for even the youngest of children to enjoy. Becoming more and more popular as a means for all ages to cool off are splash pads. With non-slip surfaces and operating at virtually zero-depth, these areas are usually fitted with fountains, sprays, mist and cannons, and enable children who are arenโt swimmers to cool down and enjoy water play without fear. In fact, they are usually so enjoyable that the whole family end up using them too!
Low-level wading pools also offer similar fun but with a little more water and, although a parent will always need to be with them, these ankle-deep pools allow a child to play a little more with the water rather than just be carried in it.
Below is a list of Council pools in Brisbane that have the best splash pads and wading pools.
Public Pools with Splash Pads
Newmarket Olympic Swimming Pool, Newmarket
Newmarket Olympic Swimming Poolโs animal-themed splash pad has everything your little one could dream of for safe water play. Fountains, water spouts and the obligatory tipping bucket on a zero-depth pad means they will cool off and be entertained safely for as long as you will let them stay. For the entire family there are also two slides for children, a wading pool with mushroom features, a large 5-metre slide and an inflatable slide into the 50-metre pool often set up in the school holidays! Adults and older kids can also enjoy the 50-metre heated outdoor pool, a 25-metre outdoor heated programs pool and an indoor heated programs pool. There are shaded swimming areas for kids and heaps of grassed areas to enjoy a picnic.
Newmarket Olympic Swimming Pool is located at 71 Alderson Street, Newmarket. Read the full Brisbane Kids review of this pool here, or visit Brisbane City Councilโs pools website.
Bellbowrie Pool, Bellbowrie
Another awesome splash pad can be found at Bellbowrie Pool. Water squirters, spouts, fountains and a tipping bucket are all part of this colourful area for kids. The centre also boasts two wading pools, a 50-metre outdoor 8-lane pool (not heated) and a 25-metre heated enclosed pool. There are lots of shaded areas, including shaded spectator stand by the big pool, and picnic tables and chairs. There are large grassy areas for playing or picnics, a basketball area and a great cafรฉ and kiosk.
Bellbowrie Pool is located at 47 Birkin Road, Bellbowrie. Read the full Brisbane Kids review of this pool here, or visit Brisbane City Councilโs pools website.
Jindalee Pool, Jindalee
Jindalee Pool offers a large, widely-spaced splash pad that comes complete with tipping buckets, mist spray, colourful water mushrooms, water jets and a spray fountain too. The pool also has a 50-metre (8-lane) outdoor pool, an 18-metre heated program pool and a great undercover playground with free electric barbecues.
The Jindalee Pool is located at 11 Yallambee Road, Jindalee. Read the full Brisbane Kids review of the Jindalee Pool here, or check out Brisbane City Councilโs website.
Public Pools with Low-Level Wading Pools
Colmslie Aquatic Centre, Morningside
The great new kidsโ water play area at Colmslie Aquatic Centre sits in the centre of a delightful low-level wading pool. Open only in summer, kids can choose between multiple slides to slip into the water, stand beneath high overhead showers or simply sit, lay or play in the cool wading pool. The kidsโ play space is rimmed by a shaded grassed area for parents to sit nearby and supervise. Colmslie Aquatic Centre also offers a 50-metre outdoor heated pool and a 15-metre indoor pool. There is also a cafe on site.
Colmslie Aquatic Centre is located at 400 Lytton Road, Morningside. Read the full Brisbane Kids review of this pool here, or visit Brisbane City Councilโs pools website.
Sandgate Aquatic Centre, Sandgate
Sandgate Aquatic Centreโs impressively large kidsโ water play area is part of a new upgrade and itโs easy to see why it is so popular. The old wading pool was removed and the depth raised to create both shallow and deeper areas that cater to a wider range of age groups. Here you will find bendy sprays, mushrooms, fountains, a tipping bucket and some very awesome slides!!! Itโs super fun, but just remember that the shallow area does get deeper further down the pool. The Sandgate Aquatic Centre also has a 50-metre 8-lane outdoor pool, as well as a heated indoor learn-to-swim pool. There is also a small playground area, shaded barbecue facilities, basketball court and kiosk!
Sandgate Aquatic Centre is located at 231 Flinders Parade, Sandgate. Read the full Brisbane Kids review of this pool here, or visit Brisbane City Councilโs pools website.
Runcorn Pool, Runcorn
Runcorn Pool has a small childrenโs play area, which again features a central structure with multiple slides that sits in the middle of a low-level wading pool. Simple but colourful, kids will also love the interactive water play features it offers. For the entire family there is also a 25-metre heated outdoor lap pool and a 14-metre, indoor programs/leisure therapy pool with ramp access.
Runcorn Pool is located at 37 Bonemill Road, Runcorn (behind Runcorn State High School). Read the full Brisbane Kids review of this pool here, or visit Brisbane City Councilโs pools website.
So, as our desire to stay cool rises along with our Brisbane summer temperatures, be sure to check out some of the above options next time you are looking to beat the heat with your family. These areas offer kids hours of fun and, with multiple areas that cater for all ages, you really canโt go wrong with a trip down to your local swimming pool.
You can find out more about all Brisbane City Council swimming pools and other amazing leisure facilities at brisbane.qld.gov.au.
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