Add a listing
    Add a listing
    Best Swimming Pools in Wollongong & Illawarra, Kids & Family Guide

    Best Swimming Pools in Wollongong & Illawarra, Kids & Family Guide

    Discover our best swimming pools, Illawarra wide. From heated indoor pools with toddler & kids areas, to our family friendly outdoor pools. Plus rock pools with ocean views that are great for kids. We’ve got your swimming needs covered! Wollongong has some amazing free entry swimming pools too. Grab your swimmers and plan some happy, refreshing, splashy fun.

    Here at Parents Guide Illawarra, we’re the leading guide for best things to do with kids! Or, for when you need to leave them at home and swim in peace 😉

    Best Indoor Swimming Pools (with Kids Pools too)

    Beaton Park Pool

    • Beaton Park Pool – Best Heated Indoor Pool in Wollongong, with a kids shallow pool area and family fun lanes.
    • Address: Beaton Park Leisure Centre, 37 Foleys Rd, Gwynneville
      Opening hours: 5.45 am – 8.30 pm Monday to Thursday, 5.45 am – 6.30 pm Friday, 6.30 am – 5.30 pm weekends.
    • Entry fees apply.
    • Kids & Adults Swimming Lessons Available

    Sutherland Leisure Centre & Swimming Pool

    • Sutherland Swimming Pool – Only 20 mins north of Helensburgh (40 min drive from Wollongong) has an Indoor 25m Pool, a kids & toddler pool, plus a 50m outdoor pool!
    • Address: 1 Rawson Ave, Sutherland NSW 2232
      Opening hours: 5.00 am – 9 pm Monday to Friday, 5.30am-7pm Saturday, 7am-7pm Sunday.
    • Entry fees apply.
    • Kids & Adults Swimming Lessons Available

    Best Outdoor Swimming Pools (Freshwater Chlorinated 50m Pools)

    • Berkeley Pool – 50m heated outdoor pool on Winnima Way, Berkeley. Opening hours: 6 am – 7 pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
    • Corrimal Pool – 50m heated outdoor pool (is 26deg in winter even!), plus Fenced Toddler Pool, Plus 20 m kids pool with no deep end, plus shaded spots and cafe! Short St, Corrimal. Opening hours: 6 am – 7 pm daily. Closed Christmas Day. Entry fees apply.
    • Dapto Pool – Take a swim in the 50m or 20m outdoor pool. Kiosk on site. The toddlers’ pool is open from December to February only. Bangaroo Ave, Dapto. Opening hours: 6 am – 7 pm daily. Closed Christmas Day. The toddlers’ pool is open from December to February only. Entry fees apply.
    • Western Suburbs Pool – Free Entry. Choose from our 50m or 25m pool, with easy access just off the Princes Highway. Chapman St, Unanderra. Opening hours: 6 am – 7 pm daily – Closed Christmas Day
    • Helensburgh Pool – Walker St, Helensburgh. Free entry. This 25m lap pool and toddlers’ pool are just a short walk from the Helensburgh town centre. Helensburgh Pool is currently closed for improvement and refurbishment works, scheduled to reopen in January 2026.

    Best Saltwater Pools Illawarra wide (entry is free)

    These saltwater pools are supervised by Council Lifeguards.

    • Continental Pool – Has a 50m pool, a walking pool with disability ramp (that kids can use too) plus an enclosed toddler pool, shaded spots, toilets and incredible views! Cliff Rd, North Wollongong. Opening hours: 6am – 7pm Thurs to Tues, 6am – 2pm Wed. Closed Christmas Day. Free entry.
    • Port Kembla Pool – A favourite of locals, this pool has an eight-lane 50m pool, a toddlers’ pool, and a beach-style entry ideal for those who just want to dip their feet in. Also perfectly situated right next to Port Kembla Beach. Olympic Blvd, Port Kembla. Opening hours: 6 am – 7 pm daily. On site Kiosk. Closed Christmas Day. Free entry.
    • Thirroul Pool – Thirroul Pool is next to the beach and one of the northern suburbs’ most popular parks, with a beachfront kiosk nearby (Thirroul Beach Pavillion). There’s a 50m pool and a toddlers’ pool. Bath St, Thirroul. Opening hours: 6 am – 7 pm daily. Closed Christmas Day. Free entry.

    Rock Pools

    Most of these rock pools are best at low tide. There is no lifeguard service at these rock pools.

    • Austinmer Rock Pool – Families & Kids love the easy beach access from the rock pool, the rock pools for exploring. Facilities: toilets, change rooms, cold showers, cafes, playground. Location: Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Austinmer. Parking: There is a medium sized parking area that fills up fast. This pool is accessible by public transport.
    • Bellambi Rock Pool – Take a swim in the main pool, or splash in the toddlers’ pool. This rock pool has a children’s playground and popular shared pathway nearby. Facilities: outdoor cold shower, picnic shelter. Location: Off Robert Cram Dr, Bellambi. There is a small sized parking area. This pool is not easily accessible by public transport.
    • Bulli Rock Pool – This pool and toddlers’ pool are overlooked by a stunning headland, with popular beachside cafes nearby. It’s also just a short walk from Bulli Tourist Park. Facilities: changing rooms, toilets, cold showers, picnic benches on the headland, playground, cafe. Location: Farrell Rd, Bulli. There is a medium sized parking area that fills up fast on the weekends. This pool is accessible by public transport.
    • Coalcliff Rock Pool (pictured above)- With dramatic coastal views, this is our northern-most rock pool. It includes a toddlers’ pool next to the main pool. There’s also a raised shower area and viewing platform. Facilities: changing rooms, toilets, cold showers, sheltered viewing platform, playground. Location: Paterson Rd, Coalcliff. Very limited street parking only. There is a larger carpark at Coalcliff beach if you don’t mind the walk. This pool is accessible by public transport.
    • Coledale Rock Pool – Walk across a wide rock platform to find this hidden gem, with a pool and separate toddlers’ pool. Location: Northcote St, Coledale.
    • Gentlemen’s Pool – This is one of the region’s earliest rock pools, set in the rock platform just north of the popular Continental Pool. Facilities: nothing at this rock pool. At the next door to the Continental Pools: changing rooms, toilets, cold showers. Location: Cliff Rd, North Wollongong. Street parking is limited. This pool is accessible by public transport.
    • Towradgi Rock Pool (pictured above) – Swim in the main 50m pool, or toddlers’ pool, with sweeping views to the north and south over two popular patrolled beaches. Facilities: toilets, change rooms, cold showers. Location: Towradgi Rd, Towradgi. Plenty of parking available, though this spot is not well sign posted. This pool is not easily accessible via public transport.
    • Wombarra Rock Pool – This rock pool is overlooked by a row of beautiful Norfolk Pines, and has a toddler’s pool next to the main pool. Facilities: changing rooms, toilets, cold showers, a few picnic tables, playground. Location: Reef Rd, Wombarra. The is a small car park which does fill up fast. People usually squeeze their cars in anywhere they can – but watch out for parking fines in the summer. 
    • Woonona Rock Pool – Set on Collins Point, Woonona Rock Pool has a 50m pool with diving blocks, and an historic pavilion with viewing platform. Even at high tide, this pool is usually a great spot for a swim. Facilities: toilets, change rooms, showers. Location: Kurraba Rd, Woonona. Plenty of parking available, though this spot is not well sign posted. This pool is not easily accessible via public transport.

    For more FUN places to take the kids locally – click here!

    Finally, make the most of family life in our stunning Illawarra – Subscribe to the ultimate guide to family living weekly email by Parents Guide. Say NO to bored kids and get inspired! Click and sign up for our Parents Newsletter here. Get all the local inspo!

    You may also like: