This is a community swimming pool inside the botanical gardens. We passed through in November, it was 70 degrees and too cool for swimming. The location along the harbor is perfect. read more

Generally, Sydney is a swimmer's paradise. I'm visiting from California and cannot believe the options for pool and open water swimming. ABC Pool hasn't disappointed. Awesome location and views, always plenty of lane/circling space and a solid post-swim cafe experience. read more

Great location with a beautiful view of the water overlooking the navy ships. We came just for breakfast, but I would have loved a swim especially in the recent Sydney heat wave! I ordered the Limonata which was a frozen lemon-lime and mint - a welcomed joy of a refreshment that cooled me down instantly. On this day of 104 degrees F and nearly 40 degrees C, I was melting like the wicked witch of the west. For Breakfast I had the vegetarian breakfast which comes with 2 eggs your way, mushrooms, a roasted tomato and brioche bread, served with butter, fetta cheese and a quarter of avocado. More than enough food especially on a HOT summer day. Something about Australia, I can't seem to get that perfectly poached or runny egg yolk I like. I asked for my eggs Sunny side up and the girl said "yup, over easy, then" and I was like, "no, sunny side up, with the yolk facing up" and she said it was the same thing...I didn't want to argue since maybe in Australia it is the same thing, however my eggs came out fried, over easy which was a bit of a disappointment. Otherwise my meal was great, the service a bit slow, but an amazing view. I would definitely come back and go for a swim. read more

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Devotees of 'ABC' pool say nothing beats a swim here. Suspended above the water in the shores of Woolloomooloo Bay it is easy to understand why there is a league of loyalists to this pool. The views of Sydney Harbor are breathtaking and the modern, chic architecture of the pool make for a special place. The pool itself is 50m, eight lanes, salt water and heated. Timber deck chairs surround the pool, and if you're lucky enough to grab a couple on a sunny Sunday it is the perfect place to relax with a coffee and the Sunday paper. Adult entry to the pool will set you back $5.80. ABC pool is a seasonal pool, so it closes in winter. The 2011-2012 summer season is upon us, so the pool is open until 30 April 2012. read more

Andrew Boy Charlton Pool - Swimming Pools Near Me - Sydney, NSW

This is a very cool pool with a spectacular view!! Right in the middle of downtown, right on the Harbor overlooking the Navy ships!! There is a kids pool and a lap pool with one lane for hanging out. There are lifeguards and staff on duty watching the patrons. The pool is saltwater so bring goggles or your eyes will sting. There is a cafe on site but I didn't try it. The pool has a changing area that is pretty decent as well. There is a $6 fee to get inside. It's a tad odd as there aren't enough lounge chairs for the number of patrons so people throw their towels down on the ground to lay. It's very odd, I've never seen this before in America...if there aren't enough chairs, we just leave. There were literally bodies everywhere laying down. There's a barge platform Nextdoor that someone needs to take some WD40 to it so it won't be so loud!! It makes this hideous sound that you can't tune out. read more

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Great view and location, stopped in for a snack and drinks around 4p. Tried to order drinks first and the waiter immediately told us he couldn't bring alcohol without a food order. Ordered the Calamari a Bellini and a 2nd drink I don't recall. My partner's drink came out first, he was finished with it before I got mine. The Calamari came out about the same time as my drink and was undercooked and swimming in mayo. Not that great. Overall, horrible service made our afternoon stop very un-enjoyable. I wouldn't go back, not worth having bad food and bad service just to get a nice view. read more

Andrew Boy Charlton Pool - Calamari. What's up with all the mayo? - Swimming Pools Near Me - Sydney, NSW

There's no way in hell I'm fit enough to take on the weekly ABC biathlon. I've watched these remarkable, red-faced people jogging down to the pool - their goggles bopping around their necks - though I doubt I'll ever enjoy running enough to join their ranks. But swimming? Swimming I can do. And the ABC pool is a wondrous place to pace up and down the lanes. It's the kind of setting that makes you fall in love with Sydney all over again. The view over Woolloomooloo Bay is simply spectacular. If neither swimming nor running happen to be your thing, never fear. The ABC poolside cafe is great place to hang out (and impress overseas visitors). The food is delicious, and you can even sneak a cheeky glass of wine! Speaking of which, much of the gods' nectar flowed when I celebrated my friends' engagement party at the ABC cafe, which transformed into a glittering venue (scrumptiously catered!) to celebrate such a happy occasion. And no-one came wearing goggles around their neck. read more

Andrew Boy Charlton Pool - Chick pea salad at the Andrew Boy Charlton poolside cafe - Swimming Pools Near Me - Sydney, NSW

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I'm not saying that I could ever get sick of going to the beach, but sometimes I need to change it up a bit. The Andrew "Boy" Charlton Pool is an outdoor lap pool perched above Woolloomooloo Bay. Filled with salt water, this eight late pool is heated, allowing swimmers to be comfortable in all seasons. I like to come here to both swim laps and to lounge around. Whenever I go, the pool is never overly crowded, though sometimes I will have to share a lane with others. Make sure to call or check their website to see how many lanes will be available when you want to go. One time adult admission is around $6, which is pretty reasonable considering you could spend the entire day there if you want. Once you get hungry, head over the Poolside Café. Encased entirely in glass, the café offers great views of both the pool and the harbor. There's also a terrace to enjoy the sea breeze while you sit on your Campos coffee or eat your Panini. The poolside café is open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch, so even if you don't feel like dipping in the pool, you can come by just for the view. I love this pool for its sense of exclusivity; you really feel like you're out of the city, even though it is actually just right behind the Botanical Gardens. read more

Andrew Boy Charlton Pool - Swimming Pools Near Me - Sydney, NSW

If you're from out of town then I shall let it be known that this might be a good place to visit if you're a boy who likes boys. Aside from the obvious attractions of the pool architecture, location and facilities; it's the little flirtations across deck that I love to spy on. The surreptious glances as the next swimmer elaborately limbers up in the briefest of briefs. Every cliche can be found here and it's bloody FABULOUS, especially for the voyeurs among us. A word to the wise though...it seems it's possible nowadays for a man to have an enviable bikini line. read more

The wait staff at this café always seem to be backpackers, but don't let that put you off. Contrary to convention, they're not complete imbeciles. In fact, they're polite, friendly and attentive. Furthermore the food is first class. A touch pricey, but given the view that's to be expected. Bring your overseas guests here!!! read more

Not much to say here- great pool that's set up well for beginner to experienced swimmers (lanes are marked from fast to slow so as long as you put yourself in the appropriate lane everyone will be happy) and it has a big change room and shower facility as well. The deck chairs fill up fast so if you want one come early! Otherwise you'll be able to spread out your towel on the deck to sunbathe. read more

Excellent pool, with sparkling blue water, and the incongruous vista of navy ships. The entry was quite reasonable ($6.20), but it's an extra $3.00 downstairs if you want to store your stuff in a locker (which I elected to do as I was here mainly to swim laps). Before and after the afore-mentioned lap swimming, it felt very chic to stretch out on the deck and enjoy the sun. Would have loved to nab one of the deck chairs! It's also a lovely walk afterwards back through the botanic gardens to the northern end of the city. read more

Andrew Boy Charlton Pool - Swimming Pools Near Me - Sydney, NSW

The view is to die for but the staff are some of the rudest I've struck! Wouldn't issue a tax receipt when I asked - was told " I needed to ask before paying??!! Kicked up a huge stink when I said I needed one and was told I couldn't take a photo of the harbour view?! Seriously need to brush up on their customer service skills and serve patrons with a smile, it's not hard! Food was average, coffee terrible read more

So glad a friend introduced me to this pool! Having only recently moved to Sydney from the UK I was in need of finding a good pool to get back in to training for my triathlons. As I headed down for my first 6am swim session in my tired state, the placement of the pool overlooking Woolloomooloo bay is breathtaking and I soon wide awake taking it all in. Jumping in the pool I was quickly reminded that this was a salt water pool but within a few lengths it was soon forgotten and I was enjoying my first Aussie outdoor pool swim. The ABC pool is a 50m salt water pool split in to 8 lanes. Changing rooms and showers are on hand to let you get ready for work after an early morning swim, and a cafe overlooking the pool provides you a coffee to give you an energy boost too! I now find myself a regular here until it closes for the winter but sure enough once it re-opens next summer I'll be down there again in a flash! read more

Andrew (Boy) Charlton pool aka "Boy Charlton" to the locals is perched on the edge of the Botanic Gardens overlooking Woollmooloo Wharf /bay. Superb salt water summer pool to pump out laps. If you're a visitor staying in the CBD, the pool is 15-20 min walk through The Domain or Botanic Gardens. The pool's roof top cafe also does great coffee and breakfast. After you've earned the calories in the pool of course. read more

Andrew Boy Charlton Pool - Boy Charlton from Botanic gardens looking east, Woolloomooloo in background - Swimming Pools Near Me - Sydney, NSW

There is no place better to be on a summer's morning in Sydney.The heat of the day just starting, glistening harbour on one side, Botanic Gardens the other. The pool is salt water so no stinky chlorine, wooden sun loungers provided for drying off after swimming, excellent cafe if hungry. read more

Lovely pool in a great setting and its salt based not chlorine. Not too many lap nazis and the poolside cafe has amazing original food

Simply the nices pool around. A must for every swimmer visitng Sydney

Delightful place to have lunch with a beer or a glass of wine. Food was very good. Our server was a real charmer. Great place for lunch if you are walking in the Botanical Gardens. read more