Five went mad at the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre!
I hadn’t taken all the children there before and was interested to see what the older boys would think. I took my four plus one random friend for extra added fun.
They had a ball. They enjoyed it more than I expected in fact. The kids are used to the more plentiful joys of Lane Cove Pool, Ryde Pool and the Sydney Olympic Pool; Ian Thorpe has less space dedicated to kids and families but what did the kids care? It was wet, warm and there was space enough to splash, they had a terrific time. And they were exhausted afterwards, crucially.
Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre
Address: 458 Harris Street, Ultimo, NSW 2007
Phone: 9518 7220
Website: https://itac.org.au/
Open: Monday – Friday 6am – 8.45pm, Saturday – Sunday 6.00am – 8.00pm
Pools: Indoors, 50 metre pool, learn to swim pool, leisure pool.
One of the newest pools in Sydney, the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre was built by the City of Sydney Council and is managed by the YMCA.
The large circular-shaped leisure pool is the main attraction for families with young children and has the attractions you would expect. There is a family spa area, a bubble beach and splashing fountains to play in and around. This pool doesn’t have that many features aimed directly at kids and families, but enough for the littlies to be kept happy.
Café: Yes, excellent cafe with beaut views over Darling Harbour
Baby Change: Yes
Strollers: Good
Playground: No
Swim School: Yes
Creche: No
Gym: Yes
Sports Shop: Yes
Membership: Yes
Mum’s Report: This is a great place to cool off after visiting Darling Harbour on a hot day.
Extra: Darling Harbour is close by, the pool is right beside the Powerhouse Museum.
Parking: Carpark on-site NB Entrance is from Pyrmont Street!!
Train: Yes, light rail stop outside pool
Ferry: Darling Harbour is the nearest
Bus Stop: Yes
Read about more wonderful Sydney swimming pools here.
For a list of kid-friendly Sydney beaches, click here.
If you are visiting Sydney with kids and staying at Darling Harbour, then this is a really great spot to swim.
What’s your favourite Sydney pool to visit with the family?
And have you ever been to a great pool abroad or in Australia that you’d love others to know about?
