Excellent heated pool. The aquatic center also has a shower and a smaller training pool for newer…read moreswimmers. People and staff are extremely friendly and most of the swimmers are also friendly and respectful. For new people, here are some of the "unofficial rules" that I didn't really know about and I learned the hard way: 1. Slower swimmers stay on the right side lane. I got dirty looks for swimming slow in the middle lanes. 2. Always swim on your left lane. 3. Rinse off in the shower before entering the pool. Also the pool is saline water so your skin doesn't turn into a raisin after swimming for hours.

Destroyed by the floods of 2011, the UQ pool is yet to return to its former glory, but the…read moreconstructions look to be taking shape nicely, with the pool relatively unchanged and a nice new club house nearing completion. Prior to the floods, the UQ pool was a popular place for those wishing to get their exercise in the water after a day at uni and for the lazier breed of student, like myself, who just enjoyed a paddle. During my college days, my friends and I would wander across campus with towels over our shoulders to take a dip in the pool and lay on the grassy slope for some sun and people-watching. Revised entry prices and opening hours are yet to be announced for the new aquatic complex, but one of the great things about the pool before the floods was that entry for UQ students was nice and cheap. Hopefully, it will stay that way, as entry to regular town pools is too pricey for my liking.

Good place to take the kids. Cheap but it does get really packed so if its hot, know that it will…read morebe packed. The food is all takeaways rubbish as well. They do have lifeguards but god knows how they keep an eye on everyone at once. If we ever go its nice and early so we can leave before the crowds and heat increase.

Newmarket Pool is a summer attraction for families on the north side of Brisbane and the car park…read moreis overflowing on the weekends from all the visitors. My lovely friend Arby loves to pop over to the pool on a lazy Saturday afternoon and soak up the rays - he swears it's the best place to take your kids to burn off some energy and often finds himself getting swept up in the colourful fantasy of the toddler's pool which sports giant water-spurting mushrooms. The pool has an impressive number of water slides and attractions for kids, plus a 50-metre 8-lane heated Olympic pool and a smaller 25-metre heated pool. They run a number of regular classes, all advertised at the pool and on their website, and entry fees are incredibly reasonable - $4.60 for an adult and $3.30 for a child. Not bad for a sunny day out!

A sweet, family-oriented pool with kids' laughter and antics abound on the Summer weekends. I come…read morethen and also mornings for lap swimming. Usually one to a lane. Pool comfortAbly heated, and good shade and sun mix. Grassy area for sun baking. Sweet times.

The mercury cracks 30 degrees and the only answer was to loll in water under the guise of swimming…read morelaps. Arrive at pool around 10am and quickly realise it is prime time for mothers and their children - poolside play dates - and an active aqua aerobics class. As far as pools go, Ithaca is isn't bad by any stretch and was re-tiled last season. It served a grand purpose for what I like to call black-line-following meditation. I guess my only "gripe" was that this is far more a family pool than a grab-your-goggles-and-swimming-cap kind of pool at this time of day.

While preparing a trivia quiz for my sister's baby shower recently, I found out that babies are not…read moreborn with the ability to swim. However, if you're really keen to get your baby swimming, you can enrol them into Superfish Swim School from four months onwards. The 25m pool is heated with comfortable viewing platforms for the parents or carers. If you need a snack, the Goldfish Café will sate most cravings with their range of teas, coffees and sandwiches. This swim school also offer squad training for older kids. If your child is winning all the medals at the school swimming carnivals, perhaps it's time to take the next step. Superfish offers specialised swimming programmes that focus on fitness training and stroke techniques. Oh with regards to my mix-up regarding babies being born natural swimmers, it's because they have a initial 'dive reflex' (the ability to hold their breath and open their eyes underwater) and a 'swim reflex' (the ability to move their arms and legs in a swim like motion when placed belly down in water). Unfortunately both reflexes will disappear with age and do not protect the child from drowning. Learning to swim at Superfish will.

If the rain ever stops and we return to our typical Brisbane summer, head out to the Sandgate pool…read morefor a day of family fun. There's an outdoor 50m swimming pool, an indoor heated pool used primarily for swimming lessons and an outdoor wading pool. There are some shade sails over the wading pool but it's still best to be sun smart and avoid the danger 10am - 2pm period. The outdoor wading pool has four waterslides suitable for differing ages plus a tiny mini slide for babies. There's even a Lockness monster structure in the water for the kids to climb on and mushroom fountains to run under. For the parents and carers, there's heaps of shady spots and BBQ/ picnic tables around the pool area, a small kiosk and clean shower/ bathroom facilities. There's ample carpark space and when the kids get tired of swimming, there's two small playgrounds right outside with basic climbing structures and a cafe. You can't get better location than this - there's The Sandgate pool is excellent value for money and a fun day out for the family.

It's a public pool, what do you want?…read more I laugh every time I see the misspelling on the signs warning parents to keep track of their children.

On a clear, hot day, this pool is tops. There's always a bay breeze because Brisbane City Council's…read moreManly Swimming Pool is perched on a million dollar piece of property adjacent to Moreton Bay, the boat harbour and marina. As a matter of fact, even on a cool winter's morning when we come to swim laps, it's mighty nice. It had an upgrade about a year ago and so heating takes the edge off the cold water when necessary. There's a waterslide, learn to swim classes, aqua aerobics and squad training. Entry fees are kids 2-4 $3.30 and adults $4.60 and there are also family passes, 10 visit passes and concessions. Kids under 10 have to be with someone over 18. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming...

As far as I'm concerned this is the best public pool in Brisbane, which you would expect given that…read moreit was built for the 1982 Commonwealth Games. There's an Olympic sized pool, a diving pool with some boards accessible to the public (usually just a springboard), a 25 metre heated lap pool and a kids pool. The kid's pool is not very big but it's entertaining enough and there are waterslides. It's all indoor so there's no need to worry about whether everyone's sufficiently sun screened or swim shirted up. On top of all this it's not as crowded as a lot of the other lap pools, I suppose because of it's slightly out of the way location. If you're a swimmer, and you somehow don't know about this place, it's time to check it out. Opening times and availability are subject to change so have a look at their website before you get the kids too excited and are forced to feed them guilt-ridden ice cream.

The Spring Hill Baths are an absolute gem, tucked away in Brisbane's inner city. First built in…read more1886, this 25m pool is completely covered and still has its colourfully painted changing rooms all around the perimeter of the pool. You don't want to do any hard-core swimming at the Spring Hill Baths; rather, it's a lovely place to float and soak up the beautifully restored surroundings and to imagine you've been transported back to Brisbane's yesteryear. As with all town pools, entry fees are a little pricey: Adult - $4.60 Concession - $4.00 Children - $3.30 Under 2yrs - free Hours vary between Summer and Winter, so best to check the website: http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/whats-on/Whats-on-database/venues/index.htm?q_venue_id=464 Finish your visit to the Spring Hill Baths with a Boa Constrictor or Fizzer from the kiosk!

I'm a sucker for heritage buildings. I also enjoy lolling around in the water. The Spring Hill…read moreBaths have been providing me and many other Brisbanites with a lovely body of water to throw ourselves into since 1886. The multicoloured bather's pavilions that border the pool's perimeter remind me of the English seaside. They hold lots of swimming classes here so it's not ideal for laps, but as I said I prefer to loll around and look up at the sky. At only 25m, the pool isn't ideal for hardcore lappers, but it's a great place for a relaxing splash around. I love how the outside wall gives no indication of what lies inside, and the transition from city street to yesteryear swimming pool takes my breath away a little bit every time. On a hot day in the city, there's something so simple and satisfying about engaging in the timeless pastime of a swim and an ice block on the walk home.