So much fun , big workout, love how they set out the slides and stuff but need more room to put…read moreyour stuff and more carpark

I used to live on Annangrove Road at Kenthurst so I was able to watch the pool as it was being…read morebuilt. A good idea in this area because if the properties don't have pools then they have dams. Classes soon filled up as there were a lot of young children being driven past everyday - Marian College and St Madeleine's schools are next door. They specialise in young children, their philosophy is to start them as babies. They are totally independent and both the owners are hands on so you know that the staff don't slack off. Depending upon the day of the week, classes start at 8am and they close again depending upon the day, at 6pm. They run classes for babies, toddlers, young school age and they also have training squads for young children preparing them competition. A large car park, an enclosed pool and a cafe for the mums and dads rounds out the complex.

A fantastic swimming learning centre. From the novice to the more competitive up to the elite. This…read moreis a centre that builds friendships. You don't just come to swimming, you become part of the Hills family!

We have not had a swimming pool in the area for a few years so it was with bated breath we waited…read morefor our pool to reopen. Hmmmm. The good bits are that things are new but the not so good bits are .... There are not enough life savers or staff on duty to open both the 50m and 25m outdoor pools. When they go back to having school carnivals there is even less space to sit than before. The playgrounds on the other side of the pool are nice to look at but not practical. They have even surrounded them with a picket fence. The little kids water play area is not open all the time..again lack of staff The indoor pool area can get a bit funky but you can't open the windows to doors as there are a couple of shear drops without steps. Cancellations of classes for spin etc can catch you out. There is no sign in the vestibule to tell you what is still running. Sadly, and up to this point, many of us have been going to nearby council pools where it is cheaper and the "passport" is accepted. No discount for the local rate payers or services (ie teachers, fire, police, ambulance etc). It is looking like a white elephant.

What more could you need on a summer's day than an outdoor pool, a shady tree and a good book? Not…read morea lot. If you're in the Hills area this is a great aquatic centre for a lazy summer swim, although I will say most of the people in the area have that same idea. There are three pools here, the outdoor 50m Olympic size pool, there's an indoor pool for learning to swim and a kids play pool. There's heaps of grass and trees around the pool if you want to relax in the shade too. On a really hot summer day there are heaps of kids swimming in the designated play lane but there's always at least 4 lap lanes open, especially in the middle of the day. This goes down to one at around 3pm when squads start. Another great thing about this place is they open at 5:30am so if you are really keen (I will never be this keen) you can come for an early morning swim. Waves is pretty affordable as well, they have heaps of membership options available but a great value is the $30 for 30 days trial membership which gives you access to the pool and also the classes at the fitness centre. The fitness centre isn't huge but they have a good range of classes for everyone from Pilates to Boxing and Aqua Aerobics (super fun!). There's also a host of personal trainers you can book to train you up! The newest venture at waves is the trampoline ground. Basically the length of the pool there are trampolines imbedded in the ground that you can jump your heart away on! It looks really fun but try and fight the kids for the chance to jump! The most disappointing thing about Waves is their so called "tuckshop" which is basically an ice-cream stand. They have a wide range of sugary snacks, hot chips and questionable coffee but don't think you'll find a museli bar or piece of fruit. They would do well to stock some healthier options.

If you grew up in the region, you would've spent countless swimming carnivals here - walking past…read morethe canteen area brings vivid flashbacks to me. Swimming carnivals of my youth aside, the Warringah Aquatic Centre is a swimming complex located at Frenchs Forest. It's impressive facilities include a 50m pool, a diving pool with several diving boards of different heights, a few outdoor pools that are constantly too cold to swim in, and of course, the canteen. There's always something happening at the Aquatic Centre - swimming lessons for little ones, squads and development training for the older kids, Aqua Aerobics for the realllly old ones, and a bunch of people who just want to swim. The centre has great - and free -parking available, although it's a bit of a walk to the car when you're dripping wet and it's freezing outside. A better option would be taking advantage of the free hot showers, and storing something warm for afterwards in a free (deposit required) locker. The Center has impressive, stadium-style seating for parents to cheer on their little ones in the race, and also has a range of swimming-related paraphernalia if you've forgotten the all-important goggles or floaties.

One of the only indoor pools on the beaches! Easy parking, get a lane to myself half the time,…read moreacceptable price. Hot showers afterwards should be free though, currently they're cold and too short for me!

Maccallum Pool, on the western side of Cremorne Point, is a unique harbourside pool with heritage…read morecharacter and superb views. Its waterside timber deck is an unparalleled sun bathing spot. It was originally just a rock pool created by local residents to form a safe harbour swimming hole. You need to work out the timing of the cleaning of the pool which is once a week and varies. When its closed for cleaning it will be up for 9 hours. The days leading up to the clean the pool can be very dirty. Take a picnic blanket, a wine, cheese, crackers and really indulge in one of Sydney's free attractions.

There is nothing better than finding a spot near the pool on Australia Day and hopping in to cool…read moreoff as you enjoy the park, the views of the harbour and bridge, and digest your prawns and sausages. The rock pool is a nice safe swimming area with some of the best views of Sydney. What makes this such a great place is that it is free.