The Spring Hill Baths are an absolute gem, tucked away in Brisbane's inner city. First built in…read more1886, this 25m pool is completely covered and still has its colourfully painted changing rooms all around the perimeter of the pool. You don't want to do any hard-core swimming at the Spring Hill Baths; rather, it's a lovely place to float and soak up the beautifully restored surroundings and to imagine you've been transported back to Brisbane's yesteryear. As with all town pools, entry fees are a little pricey: Adult - $4.60 Concession - $4.00 Children - $3.30 Under 2yrs - free Hours vary between Summer and Winter, so best to check the website: http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/whats-on/Whats-on-database/venues/index.htm?q_venue_id=464 Finish your visit to the Spring Hill Baths with a Boa Constrictor or Fizzer from the kiosk!

I'm a sucker for heritage buildings. I also enjoy lolling around in the water. The Spring Hill…read moreBaths have been providing me and many other Brisbanites with a lovely body of water to throw ourselves into since 1886. The multicoloured bather's pavilions that border the pool's perimeter remind me of the English seaside. They hold lots of swimming classes here so it's not ideal for laps, but as I said I prefer to loll around and look up at the sky. At only 25m, the pool isn't ideal for hardcore lappers, but it's a great place for a relaxing splash around. I love how the outside wall gives no indication of what lies inside, and the transition from city street to yesteryear swimming pool takes my breath away a little bit every time. On a hot day in the city, there's something so simple and satisfying about engaging in the timeless pastime of a swim and an ice block on the walk home.

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!

There's nothing really exciting about this pool, other than there's water in it and it's clean. And…read moreit's in the Valley. Aside from that it feels relatively industrial and grey. The facade is quite iconic but behind it the original pool appears to have been demolished and replaced with some sort of 1970s concrete box. I like swimming and will swim anywhere, including here, and if it's exercise then it's a good place to do laps. There just doesn't seem to be a great deal of atmosphere. What is a nice day is shopping and eating in the Valley followed up by a late afternoon swim here at the pool. That is a nice adventure. Anyway, not bad, but nothing to get too excited by. Note: Pool actually opens at 5.30am Monday to Saturday, despite hours listed above.

Friendly staff are a welcome change, learn to swim is great and the pools are warm and clean all…read moreyear round. Great coffee and extras such as the gym. Highly recommended.

Cooling down during the hot summer day can sometimes prove quite difficult, however one good way of…read moregetting this task done is to head over to the Langlands Pool. At Langlands they have a full 50 meter Olympic size pool that is cordoned off with lanes providing place to do laps or to just laze around in the water without getting into any ones way. The pool is also in expensive so any one can go down as it costs just $4.60 for an entire day. If you are a student or have a concession card the price goes down to only $4. If you plan to go and get in some exercise and do a few laps of the pool I would suggest going before school closes for the day because after that it can get quite busy and the lanes do get taken up quite quickly. This is the same story during the weekend because they cater quite well for families and provide a play area and water slide for the kids. You can become a member and get swimming lessons too if that takes your fancy. The pool is open from 5 am till 7 pm during the week and from 6 am to 6 pm during the weekend. If you would like to make this a yearlong activity fear not because the pool is cooled or heated according to the season and temperature.

Excellent heated pool. The aquatic center also has a shower and a smaller training pool for newer…read moreswimmers. People and staff are extremely friendly and most of the swimmers are also friendly and respectful. For new people, here are some of the "unofficial rules" that I didn't really know about and I learned the hard way: 1. Slower swimmers stay on the right side lane. I got dirty looks for swimming slow in the middle lanes. 2. Always swim on your left lane. 3. Rinse off in the shower before entering the pool. Also the pool is saline water so your skin doesn't turn into a raisin after swimming for hours.

Destroyed by the floods of 2011, the UQ pool is yet to return to its former glory, but the…read moreconstructions look to be taking shape nicely, with the pool relatively unchanged and a nice new club house nearing completion. Prior to the floods, the UQ pool was a popular place for those wishing to get their exercise in the water after a day at uni and for the lazier breed of student, like myself, who just enjoyed a paddle. During my college days, my friends and I would wander across campus with towels over our shoulders to take a dip in the pool and lay on the grassy slope for some sun and people-watching. Revised entry prices and opening hours are yet to be announced for the new aquatic complex, but one of the great things about the pool before the floods was that entry for UQ students was nice and cheap. Hopefully, it will stay that way, as entry to regular town pools is too pricey for my liking.