Ah, what fun myself, my husband and our four kids have had at Willoughby Leisure Centre. It used to be one of our top spots for wearing our very active kids out, when they were littlies.
Here’s all the info you need to plan a trip to this lovely Northern Sydney pool complex.
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Small Street
Willoughby 2068
Phone: 02 9958 5799
Willoughby Leisure Centre website
Open: Monday – Friday 5am–10pm; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 7am–7pm, except Christmas, Boxing and New Year’s Day, and Good Friday.
Indoor pools: leisure pool with 25 metre lap lanes and leisure area, toddler splash pool, turbo family spa pool, learn-to-swim pool with slide, adults spa and sauna,
Willoughby Leisure Centre is an excellent pool for families and one that is heavily used. The main pool has a beach entry area, and beside that is a small, warmer splash pool with little waterspouts for young children.
Kids love the mushroom-shaped waters hower, and the little waterslide into the learn-to-swim pool gets lots of use. This pool is used exclusively by the swim school most weekday mornings.
In summer there is a small outdoors area where children can play and adults can sit at tables.
With the gym, separate adult’s sauna and spa, plus the creche, this is a leisure centre that offers a great deal to every member of the family.
The Giant Inflatable Obstacle Course is hugely popular (in operation 12pm – 2pm during school holidays and Sundays in summer – call 02 9958 5799 to double check).
Kids ages 5 to 12 can challenge themselves to get from one end to the other, climbing up and sliding down ramps, through holes and over obstacles, without falling off into the water. A swim test is required prior to using the inflatables.
Cafe: Sells hot and cold snacks and drinks
Baby change: Tables in ladies change rooms
Strollers: No problems
Swim school: Yes
Creche: Yes, see Play Club times here.
Gym: Yes
Sports shop: No
Membership available: Yes
Mum’s report: This is a terrific pool, especially in wintertime when all the outdoor ones are closed. The water is sometimes a bit chilly, though. In summer it’s a good place to escape the sun on those ferociously hot days.
Extra: Hallstrom Park, on the corner of Small Street and Willoughby Road, has a very good playground and bike track. The excellent Incinerator Cafe is very close.
Parking: Carpark, entrance on Small Street
Bus stop nearby: Yes
