On a clear, hot day, this pool is tops. There's always a bay breeze because Brisbane City Council's…read moreManly Swimming Pool is perched on a million dollar piece of property adjacent to Moreton Bay, the boat harbour and marina. As a matter of fact, even on a cool winter's morning when we come to swim laps, it's mighty nice. It had an upgrade about a year ago and so heating takes the edge off the cold water when necessary. There's a waterslide, learn to swim classes, aqua aerobics and squad training. Entry fees are kids 2-4 $3.30 and adults $4.60 and there are also family passes, 10 visit passes and concessions. Kids under 10 have to be with someone over 18. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming...

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.

The Plantation looks like an older style swimming pool complex in parkland, which, in essence, it…read moreis, but it's also home to the Royal Lifesaving Society of Queensland. It looks a little tired but it's really grassy and sprawling and has tennis and volleyball courts and a little canteen to get drinks and lollies, so it reminds me a little of less slick times. There's a toddlers' wading pool with a fun fish feature, activities pool with water slide and more serious 25 metre training pool. There are lots of lifesaving, squad, learn to swim and stroke correction classes, but we usually just grab a picnic and head for a pergola in the slightly unkempt grounds for a great day out.

By Matthew Cornell Chermside Aquatic Centre turned out to be…read morea handy, cost effective alternative to the big theme parks and all that goes with them ( ie cost, road trip, finding a park, finding food, finding shade.... Need I go on?). We had a lovely afternoon here today. My son is 16 and probably on the upper limit of fitting in to the queues for slides and wet activities, but for kids between 5 and 16 I'd say this place is a hit. There were tent loads of groups on the back lawn today and plenty of shade still for me to sit and doze. Staff were reasonably friendly but there was a high emphasis on safety. Plenty of attentive lifeguards and slide supervisors, only one person permitted on the slides at any time and the cafe stocked hot food and the usual assortment of cold and icy refreshments. A cost effective afternoon. Marked down for lack of parking. My score is 4 out of 5.

As well as boring old pool and swim school, the Chermside Aquatic Centre has the northside's own…read moremini water park that will provide endless weekends of fun for the whole family over the summer months. With four big water slides and four little ones with a splash pool for the smaller fish, it's sure to mean quiet nights for mums and dads when the kids are in bed early too! There are plenty of shaded areas to camp out on and a cafe inside to provide the caffeine hits necessary to listen to shrieking children. Entry is very reasonable considering how much entertainment can be had, at $9 for kids and $13 for adults. Great way to spend a sunny Sunday!

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