Prince Alfred Park Pool: Swimming Lessons for Babies, Kids & Adults in Surry Hills

Tucked inside Prince Alfred Park in Surry Hills, less than 200 metres from Central Station, Prince Alfred Park Pool is one of Sydney's most loved outdoor aquatic facilities.

The popular City of Sydney pool offers nationally accredited swimming lessons for babies from 3 months of age, through to children of all skill levels and adults.

With a heated outdoor 50-metre pool, a shaded grandstand and a splash pad, it is a genuine community hub for families across Surry Hills, Redfern, Chippendale, Newtown, the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, and South Sydney.

Prince Alfred Park Pool: Swimming Lessons for Babies, Kids & Adults in Surry Hills

The Learn to Swim programme at Prince Alfred Park Pool is designed to take swimmers from their very first splash right through to advanced technique.

Lessons run for 48 weeks of the year, with no joining fee and no minimum term. Families can enrol at any time -- no waiting for a new school term to start.

All lessons are 30 minutes and delivered by nationally accredited instructors. Enrolment is via a free swim assessment, which can be completed over the phone. The Help Desk team will identify the right level for your child before you commit to anything.

Splish Splash: Babies 3 to 6 Months 

Brand new to the water? The Splish Splash programme is a 30-minute water familiarisation class for babies aged 3 to 6 months on Saturdays at 12 pm in the Hydrotherapy Pool. Sessions focus on gentle water holds, comfort in the aquatic environment, and playful interaction between parent or carer and baby. It is a lovely, low-pressure introduction designed to build early water confidence and set little ones up for the Learn to Swim programme from 6 months of age.

Infant Swimming Lessons: 6 Months to 3 Years

Once your baby is ready to move into structured lessons, the Infant programme takes over. Parent or carer accompanies their child throughout, gradually building water confidence, breath control, floating, buoyancy, and early independent movement. Levels progress from 6 months through to 3 years, with each stage building on the last.

Preschool Swimming Lessons: 3 to 5 Years

The Preschool programme introduces the fundamentals of swimming technique, including freestyle arm movements, kicking, floating on front and back, and safe entries and exits. Children begin to develop a real sense of independence in the water, and instructors work on building a trusting relationship with each child. Three levels of progression are available, each with an estimated timeline, so families know what to work towards.

Primary Swimming Lessons: 5 Years and Up

Older children work through six progressive Primary levels, moving from foundational skills through to advanced endurance and stroke refinement. Programmes cover freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, as well as water safety skills including treading water, tumble turns, race finishes, and survival backstroke. The curriculum is structured to ensure children are genuinely progressing at every stage, not just repeating the same drills.

What Is Included With Enrolment

• 30-minute lessons, with nationally accredited instructors
• Flexible program, running for 48 weeks of the year
• No joining fee and no minimum term
• Enrol anytime - no need to wait for a new school term
• Heated pools all year round
• Free access to pools outside of lessons and over the summer holiday break
• Accessible and affordable with a fortnightly direct debit payment

Swim Squads

If your child is ready to take their skills to the next level, improve their swim technique and learn how to race, they can join Swim Squads. Competitive and non-competitive squad programs are available for all ages.

Adult Swimming Lessons

It is never too late to learn. The adult programme at Prince Alfred Park Pool covers three levels - Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced - catering to absolute first-timers right through to those preparing for triathlons or wanting to refine their stroke technique.

Adults who are already confident swimmers can also progress into Squads, where the focus shifts to building fitness, technique, and race skills.

Active Kids Vouchers Accepted

Prince Alfred Park Pool is an approved Active Kids provider. NSW Government Active Kids vouchers can be put towards the cost of swimming lessons, which is a great way to reduce out-of-pocket costs for eligible families. Check your eligibility via the Service NSW website before you enrol.

Facilities at Prince Alfred Park Pool

The pool features a heated outdoor 50-metre, 9-lane lap pool that runs year-round, a splash pad with water features for young children, accessible change rooms, family change rooms, and a pool hoist and aqua wheelchair available on-site. The pool is fully wheelchair accessible with ramped entry to the centre and the pool itself.

Getting To Prince Alfred Park Pool

Prince Alfred Park Pool is located at 105 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills. It is under 200 metres from Central Station, making it easily accessible by train from across Sydney, including the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, and South Sydney. Street parking is available in the surrounding streets.

Submit your enquiry to learn more about the Prince Alfred Park Pool learn to swim program, and secure your free swimming skills assessment! 

Tell them ellaslist sent you!