A pool is a popular addition to Sydney backyards and offers a way to enjoy the city’s famously sunny climate all year round. However, a pool comes with some costs and requirements that should be carefully considered before making the decision to get one. This article will explore everything you need to know about sidney pools to make an informed choice about whether or not a pool is the right fit for your home.

Despite the chilly weather, Sydney has a number of outdoor swimming pools open for business throughout winter. The $106 million Gunyama Park Aquatic Centre in Green Square just opened this week and Parramatta’s new Olympic pool is scheduled to debut next year. Both are a welcome addition to the city’s roster of pools yet they also highlight an entrenched Sydney habit of directing public benefit towards the already privileged.

Swimming pools aren’t just for swimmers: they’re an important part of a city’s infrastructure, providing social and recreational opportunities for the local community. In many communities, they are a refuge from the stress of urban life and provide a respite from the heat of summer.

But they can’t just be any old pool – to truly stand out, they need to be a piece of art. Thankfully, Australia has a rich history of architecturally significant swimming pools – from prosaic backyard pools surrounded by concrete (still common in many suburbs) to iconic sites like the North Sydney Pool designed in 1936. Even more contemporary pool buildings have garnered architectural acclaim, such as the Beaurepaire Pool at the University of Melbourne or the Centenary Pool in Brisbane whose curved restaurant originally overlooked its waters.

Aside from their architectural significance, there is something about swimming pools that simply makes them feel good. Perhaps it’s the way they invoke childhood memories of playing in a wading pool or maybe it’s the fact that we all seem to instinctively gravitate toward water to relax. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that Sydney’s suburban swimming pools are a sight to behold.

Tom Baker is a travel writer who specialises in East Asia and Australia. He’s swum in 68 suburban pools over the past few years and says it’s impossible to pick his favourite. He recommends visiting Surry Hills’ Prince Alfred Park Pool, a slice of summer perched between the restaurants and cafes of inner-city Redfern. The modern 50-metre pool nabbed two National Architecture Awards when it was upgraded in 2014 and is always at that perfect jump-right-in temperature.

For more of Tom’s recommendations, follow him on Instagram and check out his blog at Culture Trip. This article contains affiliate links. You can support the work of Culture Trip by purchasing through them at no extra cost to you. Please see our Disclosure Policy for more information.