There's an urban legend about Parakai that involves a woman squeezing the pus out of pimples on her…read moreman's back while sitting in a hot pool. I almost feel like I have seen it happen myself because I actually think I did. In the really hot adults-only pool. Anyway, such are the risks you take when sharing water with others. Ergh. The whole place has hardly changed in years and has a slightly sad faded feel about it which does nothing to deter the masses from descending, particular on chilly Winter's days. The slides are pretty rough but the kids think that's a good thing (uh huh) and the facilities in general are just a bit dilapidated. Still, it's so wholeheartedly Kiwi that you just gotta love it. I remember we used to have friends who would take their campervan to Helensville (the whole 40 minute drive from home) and camp at the campground here, which is part of the Springs complex. I was so jealous. Now I'm not really sure why you would - it's nice and green enough but there's better places. Still, like I said, it's classic Noo Zilland.

I hadn't been to Parakai since the last year of High School which was over 10 years back, so was…read morelooking forward to seeing if anything had changed since my last visit. Other than possibly redoing the reception, and maybe cafe area, I don't think a lot has changed since I last swam here. I did have a blast coming down the hydro slides with the kids on the mats provided; however I'm sure the owners could possibly put a bit more money in sprucing up the facilities and particularly the padding on the stairs up to the top as it looks a bit tired in places. The hot pool inside is great, and had it been a colder time of year I would of spent more time inside, however it was sweltering hot, so I had a quick splash and spent more time in the sun, and riding the slide. It felt like the busiest Saturday ever, 100's packed in to the springs, and the pool was a sea of faces- quite fun, but also hard to enjoy your own space really. I would recommend trying the pools out on a week day, when the kids at school next time.

I've spent way too much time here over the years; it can't be helped if you have kids. The little…read moreones LOVE it and by little I mean, preschoolers and up to about age 10. There's a nice warm baby pool and the shallows of the main pool are full of interactive water thingies, and of course a slide. There's "the lazy river" which is kind of an alternative to a whirlpool but what's most special about here is the waves, dude. They don't turn the waves on all the time mainly I think because they're bloody dangerous. Hold on tight to your toddler because the floor is really slippery and the force is enough to knock adults over easily, let alone adults holding another small body. Seriously, be careful. The hydroslide is pretty cool as far as these things go but the up the stairs and the shivering is not for me. Which I'm sure is fine with the kids. My reckoning is that this is Auckland's busiest pool so if you do have a little one in the big pool it's incredibly stressful trying to keep track of them. Go when your kids can swim on their own.

I used to come to this pool every single morning to swim laps before I went to work. My absolute…read morefavourite thing about this place was the kind of clientele it encased. Rapidly aging Asian men in the most terrific striped speedos imaginable. Pregnant women. Sad people. Lots of sad people. I dunno, it was a good people watching spot. The lane pool was never overly busy and the water was always a nice refreshing temperature. The price was okay. I think pools generally are a bit of a rip off. I probably wouldn't have gone here if it wasn't the closest pool to my house. But I did, and I'm perfectly at peace with the time I spent there. Three stars.

Yesterday the swimming pool was the dirtiest I have ever seen it. There were clumps of hair…read morefloating and the water looked murky and unclear. Unfortunately I won't be going back there. Very unhygienic.

Situated quietly in Bellevue Road, this is still a bit of a secret. We come here when we don't have…read morea lot of time and just really need a dip; nothing flash, no slides, diving boards or carry-on, just a good old basic swimming pool. I love that even during summer school holidays it's not particularly busy. Whenever we've visited, there's only been half a dozen or so other groups which is unheard of at the more popular pools. The Dean Greenwood swim school operates out of here so like most of the public pools, you should check your times if you don't want to be surrounded by splashing kiddies. There's sweet and salty snacks available at the counter (ok junk food), and a range of togs and goggles etc. Cheap as chips, and although heated year round, the temperature is lovely and cool on a hot day making this place perfect any time. It's everything you need and nothing more.

Totara Park is a South Auckland staple. Its highly likely that growing up in the Manurewa/Manukau…read morearea meant you were here for swimming lessons, a day out with family or school, or a hangout with friends. Its ideal for family picnics, barbecues (they have facilities available) and get-togethers. The children's playground keeps the younger ones, and the young at heart, entertained. The free supervised swimming pools are open in February and March, and are perfect for that relaxing swim on a scorching day. As a teenager, my dad dragged my siblings and I here every morning of the school holidays for the 45 minute bush walk, and while I barely liked it back then, I'm grateful. These days, that bush walk, among the other trails you can take at Totara Park, are somewhat of a blessing (apart from the killer stairs!). The farm track from the Redoubt Rd entrance to the main picnic area on Wairere Road is a popular one, just be sure not to run past the cows as they can get pretty scary (for me at least). Another track, the Puhinui Stream Forest Trail, takes about two hours to complete and connects Totara Park with the nearby Botanic Gardens.

The Parnell Baths are an affordable day activity and much fun for everyone. Pack a lunch and set up…read morecamp under one of the many umbrellas supplied, then enjoy a day relaxing in the heat. Alternatively there is also a café at the baths with a wide range of ice creams and ice blocks, sandwiches, burgers, hot chips, muffins and much more The pools are salt watered, so if you have sensitive eyes remember to pack some goggles. If you forget there is a swim shop that will be able to help you out. The Parnell Baths are a great summer pass time and are a perfect place to meet up with friends and spend a day lazing around the pool

There's something very retro-cool about Parnell Baths. I think it's the fact that it's been there…read moreso long. There have been pools on the site since the 1880s but the last renovation reflects its heydey as a 1930s Lido. The toddler pool is awesome; massive with an interactive playground and a family spa (there is an adults only spa too). The main pool is huge and provides more than enough space for serious swimmers and serious frolickers (that would be me) alike. All the pools are salt water which I personally find much more pleasant and given that you can see the sea across Tamaki Drive, it adds to the holiday feeling Parnell Baths seems to always have in the summer. There is a grassed area at one end with picnic tables and a BBQ area, both of which can be booked for groups. It is a good idea to have a strategy because if you're not in the shade here, you will almost definitely melt after not very long at all. There are sun loungers down the side for the hardy leathery brigade but either bring your own shade or be on alert for people leaving and vacating the shady spots. It can be a bit of a bun fight in that respect so don't forget to bring your manners. Really Aucklanders, it's ok to talk to each other. I recently spent a lovely afternoon here with a friend from Dunedin who befriended a lovely multi-generational family and said of course they could share our table, setting an example to all the other folk with their grumpy faces on. We took a picnic lunch and kicked back, the kids hopping in and out of the pools for hours on end. There's a shop that sells some surprisingly healthy and yummy looking lunch options and we ladies enjoyed a mid-afternoon frappe which totally hit the spot. This particular day was so busy that by the end of it the ice block freezer was almost empty. I can only hope that emergency supplies out the back!

Back in the day (waay back) when I could be bothered with getting off my ass and stuff, I was…read morereally rather fit and strapping. I've since become an academic/foodie so I can no longer run the 100 metres in 12 seconds (that's a polite way of saying I've let myself go). However, that doesn't stop me from indulging a bit of nostalgia, remembering my days of being athletic. I was once chosen as part of an athletics programme, and that involved me taking up sprinting and hurdles at Millennium. To this day, I'm impressed with the facilities - it's come a long way since being the Bays Cougars athletics club. The gym is probably the best available to the public (also one of the priciest but nevermind), the pools are geared for the needs of all swimmers, and the track and field facilities are spotless. Indeed, if it's good enough for Valerie Adams, it's good enough for you and me! It's a true high performance centre, and walking in it really feels it - everything gleams.

The surgical center are good for Shoulder Cleanout but never under any circumstances are you to…read morerely on there medical report writing. The experience of there report writing consisted of the surgeon sitting there expressionless while the patient has to attempt to explain a complex scenario that does not revert into a report of note, the surgeon being unresponsive to patient requests, not following directions, writing the opposite of the patients requests when given and leaving out major parts of ones medical history and finally when requested not answering emails.

Tonight went down to my local pool. This is the pool where I more or less learnt to swim to the…read morelevel I am today, the pool where I first snuck into a sauna and thought "why would anyone ever do this to themself?" On entry I was pleasantly suprised to find a very good student price - $4.50 including sauna, steam and spa. The pool itself is a quite magnificent beast, with well regulated lanes and a clear division between classes and free swimmers. After a few laps, I went to the sauna. Impressive. They offer a self - regulating sauna (eliminating splash-and-dash) , and a lot of bench space - although this quickly filled up as the adult swimming class finished. Unfortunately , after a couple of reheats, the sauna filled up and I experienced another sauna trauma - spitting onto the sauna rocks. Up there with farting in the sauna and weeing on the sauna, this act filled the room with an unsavoury scent and also looked disgusting as it sizzled away. Overall , a good sauna / swim experience. Walking past the door of "Nan's Pool" bought back memories of struggling to hold onto the side of the pool wall as I valiantly kicked away , bringing tears of joy to my eyes as I watched the aqua joggers slowly canter through the chlorine-filled, aqua blue sardine tin.

Cheap way to relax after a day or week's work. So cheap you will enjoy your stay after using the…read moregym and have a dip in the spa or pool.