Located on the east coast of Australia, Sydney has some of the most stunning public pools in the country.
These ocean pools and baths in Sydney offer calm, peaceful respite in winter, and are the perfect place to be during the heat of summer. If you’re a local, get in early and make one your go-to. If you’re a visitor, plan a trip to these gorgeous public pools in Sydney as soon as you can.
Overlooking the wharves of Woolloomooloo (yes, this trendy suburb really does have that many double-o’s!), this Olympic-sized saltwater pool is set along the edge of The Domain’s 34 hectares of parkland. The Domain is also a popular spot for large-scale outdoor events such as Opera in the Domain in January, and Carols by Candlelight every year in December.
Whether you’re there for a serious workout or just to relax with your toes in the water, at Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool you’re welcome to lap up the stunning views and friendly atmosphere all throughout the season. You might even catch an alfresco yoga session! The pool closes during winter and opens on September 1st, each year.
Stay at the Best Western Plus Hotel Stellar in Surry Hills and have great experiences like this on your doorstep. Make yourself at home in one of the 38 guest rooms, featuring kitchenettes with refrigerators and microwaves. Complimentary wired and wireless internet access is available. Conveniences include phones, as well as laptop-compatible safes and coffee/tea makers.
This four-star hotel is a five-minute walk from beautiful Hyde Park (Australia’s oldest park), and 15 minutes to Sydney Town Hall and the Queen Victoria Building (known by locals as the QVB), where you will find some of best shopping, cafés and restaurants in Sydney. A short stroll will also have you in Pitt Street Mall, which is bursting at the seams with high-end shopping and entertainment venues such as the stunning State Theatre.
One of the most iconic public pools in Sydney, the Dawn Fraser Baths are incredibly popular during the summer season but there’s plenty of room to spread out. These historic baths make up the oldest harbour pool in the Southern Hemisphere, built all the way back in the 1880s when Australia’s first ever swimming and water polo clubs were born. Today, you can still see the Victorian wooden pavilions surrounding the pool in striking white and green.
Stay nearby at the Best Western Plus Camperdown Suites and experience the best that this trendy suburb has to offer. This cool inner west hotel is only a 10-minute stroll to the buzzing restaurants, bars, cafés and vibrant nightlife of Newtown.
There’s no way we could leave this one off the list. It is, after all, the world’s most famous ocean pool. Bondi Icebergs is perched on the edge of Sydney’s iconic Bondi headland. Most visitors come here just to snap a pic of the idyllic surroundings, but you should go the extra mile and take a dip. The pool was built back in 1929 and has had a die-hard local following since its inception. It’s not just a pool, however – this is an entire complex complete with daily casual bistro dining from 11am, offering indoor and outdoor seating, all with panoramic views of Bondi Beach and the historic Icebergs pool.
Known as Redleaf to the locals, Murray Rose Pool is a beautiful swimming spot only 10minutes from the CBD. With steep stairs leading down to the water, it feels like a hidden gem. Stroll around the boardwalk, or bask on one of the two floating pontoons. There is a kiosk for coffee and brunch, and the nearby Woollahra Gallery to check out. It’s the perfect place to spend a sunny day in Sydney – and with such beautiful views and a relaxed vibe, you may end up spending longer here than you planned!
Stay at the boutique hotel Aiden by Best Western @ Darling Harbour, and you’ll not only have Darling Harbour at your fingertips, you’ll be within easy reach of public transport–giving you a great jumping-off point to explore the city and all these fabulous pools and baths. One of the most recent offerings from Best Western, it is a fantastic fusion of convenience and style under the one roof, with 88 luxe and compact accommodation rooms, one-of-a-kind hand-painted murals, and a combined lobby, café and bar, encased in a beautifully remodeled 1930s Art Deco building.