Good place to take the kids. Cheap but it does get really packed so if its hot, know that it will…read morebe packed. The food is all takeaways rubbish as well. They do have lifeguards but god knows how they keep an eye on everyone at once. If we ever go its nice and early so we can leave before the crowds and heat increase.

Newmarket Pool is a summer attraction for families on the north side of Brisbane and the car park…read moreis overflowing on the weekends from all the visitors. My lovely friend Arby loves to pop over to the pool on a lazy Saturday afternoon and soak up the rays - he swears it's the best place to take your kids to burn off some energy and often finds himself getting swept up in the colourful fantasy of the toddler's pool which sports giant water-spurting mushrooms. The pool has an impressive number of water slides and attractions for kids, plus a 50-metre 8-lane heated Olympic pool and a smaller 25-metre heated pool. They run a number of regular classes, all advertised at the pool and on their website, and entry fees are incredibly reasonable - $4.60 for an adult and $3.30 for a child. Not bad for a sunny day out!

Colmslie Pool is the closest public community pools to folks of South East Brisbane (Bulimba,…read moreHawthorne, Morningside, etc). Current cost is $4.90 a visit (small discounted rates if you buy in bulk). When I was there, there was plenty of open lanes, which is a bonus as I'm not a fan of unintentional high-fives. They do have changing room areas and private shower stalls. The only reason I don't go more often is because of the unsafe walking paths along the busy Lytton (some areas have paths, others not).

Excuse the puddles of water forming as you read this, but I am writing this swimmer clad (or…read more'bathers' if you are south of the border) and recently returned from a bi-weekly plunge. Possibly one of Brissie's best secret locations, my laps were completed in the comfort of my very own lane, amid clear, perfectly warmed waters. An anomaly, I hear you scoff! Rather, a common occurrence. So, if you fancy parking with ease, nice environs and a fair attempt at a flat white...

If the rain ever stops and we return to our typical Brisbane summer, head out to the Sandgate pool…read morefor a day of family fun. There's an outdoor 50m swimming pool, an indoor heated pool used primarily for swimming lessons and an outdoor wading pool. There are some shade sails over the wading pool but it's still best to be sun smart and avoid the danger 10am - 2pm period. The outdoor wading pool has four waterslides suitable for differing ages plus a tiny mini slide for babies. There's even a Lockness monster structure in the water for the kids to climb on and mushroom fountains to run under. For the parents and carers, there's heaps of shady spots and BBQ/ picnic tables around the pool area, a small kiosk and clean shower/ bathroom facilities. There's ample carpark space and when the kids get tired of swimming, there's two small playgrounds right outside with basic climbing structures and a cafe. You can't get better location than this - there's The Sandgate pool is excellent value for money and a fun day out for the family.

It's a public pool, what do you want?…read more I laugh every time I see the misspelling on the signs warning parents to keep track of their children.

My mum's favourite form of exercise is swimming, so I've been a customer of the Aquatic Centre ever…read moresince I can remember. From being left in the capable hands of their child care staff, to finally being old enough that we were trusted to play in the kid's pool unsupervised, to graduating to lap swimming myself. It's always been a great public pool and the renovations that have taken place over time have only (for the most part) made it better. I've been away for a few years so my timeline of when changes have taken place may seem a bit odd, but when I returned after my hiatus for the first time recently, I was a little dismayed to see the water polo pool attached to the Olympic sized lap pool is now separated by a barrier. I'm sure this was done because it increases safety in some way, but I always enjoyed the huge openness of the 50 metre pool with a deep little alcove attached. The kid's pool has also been redone since the days when I used to splash around; for one summer attempting to keep my arm cast dry (my wrist is slightly crooked to this day). It's a lot smaller but is now shaded and has a few added amusements. The lap pool itself is great; Olympic sized and outdoor. The only problem is that it's a popular place for swimming lessons. Sometimes when I got for a mid-morning visit there are only a few lanes available due to all the kids splashing around doing their best to keep their arms in a straight 'rocket' and kick ferociously. Still, there's usually enough space for everyone to share harmoniously. Not only are there the outdoor options but there is also an indoor pool. I've only used it once many years ago so my expertise is far more limited there. I do know that it is 25 metres and I believe it is heated. Apart from the pools there are also fairly well kept toilet and shower facilities, as well as a gym that overlooks the pool. The pool opens at 5.30am Monday to Friday.

Great pool, good price, free entry with gym membership. All I need to do is get motivated and start…read moreswimming again