Swimming Pools in Melbourne

Swimming is a universally happy pastime for most families—promising lots of activity, exercise and a serious energy burn.

In Melbourne, you're never far away from a body of water, as the city plays home to some excellent swimming pools; some are iconic, some are innovative – all you have to do is take your pick of your favourite! If you can't decide, here are our favourite swimming pools in Melbourne to tickle your fancy.

The Best Swimming Pools in Melbourne

1. St Kilda Sea Baths

Dating back to 1860, the St Kilda Sea Baths are a Melbourne icon if there ever was one!

But history aside, what makes this spot one of the best swimming pools in Melbourne is that it is filled with fresh seawater, pumped directly in from Port Phillip Bay and heated to the perfect temperature – all year-round. 

The indoor pool is 25 metres in length and has a positively perfect view of the bay. The Baths also offer a comprehensive Learn-to-Swim program, catering to all levels of swimming abilities and ages.

Location: 10-18 Jacka Blvd, St Kilda

2. Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC)

This swimming pool in Melbourne is seriously incredible to look at, has an impressive history, and has some seriously cool water features packed into it. MSAC is arguably Melbourne’s best sports and aquatic centre and also happens to be the training ground of many of the state’s best athletes.

While there is an indoor 50-metre pool heated to 27 degrees, a 50-metre outdoor competition pool (built specifically for the 2006 Commonwealth Games), a 20-metre indoor lap pool, a multi-purpose indoor pool heated to 32 degrees, a toddler pool and a toasty hydrotherapy pool to enjoy, MSAC also takes it to a new level with their entertainment areas; like a wave pool with a sloped, beach-style entry and waves running every 30 minutes!

During school holidays, SplashOUT keeps the kids entertained with inflatables, the wave pool, toddler's pool and diving boards and MSAC also have crèche facilities on-site.

Location: 30 Aughtie Dr, Melbourne

3. Carlton Baths

Melbourne’s Carlton Baths is a hub of fitness, fun, and social interaction. There is always plenty going on here, with loads of water-based play to be enjoyed by little ones during the warmer months.

Open from October through to the end of April, Carlton Baths' pools are available for lap swimming, aqua aerobics classes and swimming lessons, and all aquatic areas are patrolled by qualified lifeguards. 

The outdoor heated swimming pool is 25 metres in length, with areas dedicated to recreation and lap swimming. The heated outdoor toddler pool features an aqua playground, slide and jets, and the inflatable pool gym comes to visit the Carlton Baths every January School Holidays.

Every summer, Carlton Baths also hosts Sunday at The Baths with live music, giant inflatables and fun family activities.

Location: 248 Rathdowne St, Carlton

4. Knox Leisureworks

In the east, Knox Leisureworks is a great option for family pool days. Offering both indoor and outdoor facilities, this swimming pool in Melbourne is perfect all year round.

There are four indoor pools, all heated to comfortable temperatures, a spa and two outdoor seasonal swimming pools. Indoor pools include a Warm Water Pool (excellent for relieving tired and sore muscles), a 50-metre lap pool and recreation area, and an awesome leisure pool with beach entry for the kids. Knox Leisureworks also boasts an 80-metre waterslide operating all year round.

Open from December to March, the outdoor 25-metre recreation and lap pool and toddler pool are heated with a maximum depth of one metre. The ere are also free electric BBQ facilities and shaded grassed areas. Creche and occasional care facilities are available on-site.

Location: Tormore Rd, Boronia

5. Waves at Kingston Leisure Centre

Located just around the corner from Southland Shopping Centre, Waves Leisure Centre is packed with entertainment for kids as well as great fitness options for adults.

There are dedicated Learn-to-Swim areas within the centre as well as a toddler pool, heated to a delicious 35 degrees with a maximum depth of 0.3 metres.

Kids will love the Splash Zone water features including overhead and giant tipping buckets and the waterslide! But can you guess what the main attraction is? Yep, waves! The wave pool is heated to a comfortable 32 degrees all year round and gives splash-happy kids the chance to experience different water environments: waves, bubbles and waterfalls. 

Location: 111 Chesterville Rd, Highett

6. Brunswick Baths

A favourite in the north of Melbourne, Brunswick Baths is home to a host of water play activities for adults and kids.

Facilities include a spa, sauna and steam room as well as a heated, 50-metre outdoor pool with eight lanes (open all year), an outdoor Splashpad for big-time kiddie fun and a heated, 20-metre indoor pool with five lanes and recreation area.

Brunswick Baths also has a Waterplay Pool, designed for kids as young as toddlers to get in the water and splash to their heart’s content. There are water cannons, waterslides and a lovely beach entry – perfect for littlies.

Location: 14 Dawson St, Brunswick

7. Richmond Recreation Centre

At the always-popular Richmond Recreation Centre, there is an indoor eight-lane, heated 50-metre lap pool, a Learn-to-Swim pool, a toddler’s pool with a beach, change and family room facilities, a spa, sauna and steam rooms - need we say more?!

Location: 11-15 Gleadell St, Richmond

8. Monash Aquatic & Recreation Centre

A top contender for one of the best swimming pools in Melbourne, Monash Aquatic & Recreation Centre offers a heated 25-metre indoor lap pool, an indoor hydrotherapy pool, plus the largest wave pool in Victoria! It’s heated to 31 degrees, and has multiple sessions running each day, including ‘big wave’ sessions where bigger kids can ride the surf on bodyboards!

There are shallow toddler play pools and a Learn-to-Swim pool, both heated to a lovely 32 degrees. Plus, Monash bring out the inflatables on weekends and during the school holidays.

Location: 626 Waverley Rd, Glen Waverley

9. Watermarc Waves Aquatic and Leisure Centre 

It's not hard to see why Watermarc Waves Aquatic and Leisure Centre is one of our favourite swimming pools in Melbourne! Not only do they have awesome indoor pool facilities for swimmers, but they also have a splash playground for toddlers and adrenaline-pumping waterslides for older kids (and adults!).

You just have to try the Tantrum Alley waterslide, where you can ride on a raft with up to four people - beware the raft is flung high up on the wall, and you descend into a cascade of water. Not for the fainthearted! 

Location: 1 Flintoff St, Greensborough

10. Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre

If the kids are desperate to swim but the rain just won't go away, Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre is the place to be!

A 25-metre heated indoor pool for laps and leisure swimming is warmed to a comfortable 30 degrees all year round. There is also a 100m² indoor teaching pool, as well as an indoor water park with two slides: the Ship Wreck raft slide that can hold two kids at once and the Pirates Plunge body slide. Plus there's a Pirate’s Cove leisure pool and on weekends, the Wipeout Zone that is sure to keep kids smiling with a giant Walk the Plank inflatable, aqua-roller, and supervised games and activities. 

Location: 200 E Boundary Rd, Bentleigh East

11. Noble Park Aquatic Centre

Another great spot for active kids, Noble Park Aquatic Centre has an indoor, heated leisure pool. There is also a great outdoor splash/water play area designed for children of all abilities, complete with tipping buckets and fountains, as well as a waterslide that opens when the mercury tips 26 degrees. 

Location: 9 Memorial Dr, Noble Park 

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