A new development to the Bexley Swimming Pools is the small gym run by the YMCA Sydney. Behind the…read moresmall kiosk/office is a room about 10 metres long and 5 metres wide with a range of exercise machines, yoga mats, medicine balls, TV and weights. I love how the place is small, local and quiet. The exercise machines are all brand new and not second-rate and rusting. The only problem is I couldn't see any air-conditioning... Single entry a time will only cost $7 and membership is really inexpensive, costing only $12.50 a week. It also includes a complimentary gym towel and water bottle, gym classes, access to other YMCA facilities (conditions apply), and best of all, there's no contract. Join for as how many weeks as you want and take advantage of their two a day classes. Classes start next week!

A great location, right near St Mary's Cathedral; The Domain; Hyde Park and the Australian Museum…read more If you want to give the Boy Charlton Pool a bit of a break (and great swimming in winter here) then come and swim your laps here. A great, fast pool (like the Homebush aquatic centre) with great aqua classes for toning and shaping your body; especially if you want to give the traditional gym machines a miss. And it is extremely close to Kings Cross. Local residents living in Kings Cross, Darlinghurst and Elizabeth Bay normally come to this gym, or to City Gym on Crown Street. It is the type of establishment that you want to come back for more, and more. Gym junkies and fitness fanatics rejoice. I have mainly been a causal visitor, although I have friends and business associates who are on memberships here; and once they have left the chain gyms behind; they become addicted to adrenaline here in addition to using the swimming pool. It is bliss to also be surrounded by an abundance of greenery; and an inspiring way to workout. Their fitness trainers are also quite professional, and it is the type of health club where you don't feel like your left out or forgotten weeks after joining up.

Australia and Sydney has some of the best swimming pools in the world in my opinion. When I lived…read morein Australia I used to go here every time I visited Sydney. The facilities are outstanding and it opens up in summer, it has nice wall art and it's a full 50M pool with lots of lanes open for lap swimming. When I think about the best pools I've been to this is the one that I think of. If I lived in Sydney I'd go here every day. The price is quite honestly cheap for what you get. Seriously, just go here and enjoy an excellent facility.

Oh the rolling hills of Prince Alfred, may you soon become beautiful and complete…read more Right now, Prince Alfred is a bit filled with constructiony stuff, a bit muddy, and generally just a place to pass through on the way to somewhere else. BUT - City of Sydney Council are certainly working on it. They've got cycle-maintenance stands, interactive artworks, rather fetching play equipment and green, lush grass. They're sexing up the tennis court office place, which is apparently a heritage building. This park is a good spot for a weekend BBQ, and has a large set of busy tennis courts, as well as a few basketball courts, though you'll have to involve yourself in a play-off in order to get some use of the latter. The Strawberry Hills end of the park has a "native reserve" presumably for native plants, although right now there are just seem to be big fig trees and patches of longer grass. I have a few issues with the placement of the walking paths in this park, as I don't think they properly echo the "desire paths" of pedestrians. (When I say pedestrians I probably just mean "me", but there it is.) The result is -- I often end up walking through the "native reserve" and getting wet and muddy, rather than staying on the path. I am already anticipating updating this review in mid-2012, which is when the fancy new Prince Alfred Park pool is opened, or so they say....

Prince Alfred Park has felt a little incomplete since the demolition of the swimming pool in 2009,…read morebut Sydney City assures that the general population will be able to the enjoy the new improved pool in early 2012. With an advanced temperature control system and filter, a splash pool for toddlers, and lush greenery surrounding both the pool and sunbathing areas, it shouldn't fall short of impressive. But there are other reasons to love Prince Albert Park, even as we anxiously await the renovation completions. Are you a fitness buff? The park's jogging path isn't massive (you've have to loop like a hamster in a wheel to get any sizable sweat), but there are several workout stations with pull up and push up bars. Each circuit comes with instructions so you'll know exactly how to get that burn. And what about for the little ones? Apparently the kids attractions are still being worked on, but for now, you can make use of the swings and teeter-tooter. Otherwise, bring your sun blanket, bring some meat for the barbie (public BBQs available), or bring your racket for a match on the tennis courts and I'm sure Price Alfred will cater to a lovely afternoon. If not, stop back by in early 2012 and you might feel differently.

This harbour-side swimming baths used to be a hotbed of splinters and rusty nails, but following a…read more2010 renovation, it's now home to a couple of floating pontoons and a boardwalk. The swimming area is now Olympic pool-sized, and there is an improved seating area. It's also home to "Australia's first deep water wheelchair access to a tidal harbour pool". Oh, and the view isn't too bad either! The Tea Gardens café is right across the road and the Watsons Bay Hotel and Doyles are both a more few seconds walk away, so there are plenty of post-swim refreshment opportunities! It can get pretty busy during the summer, but it's hardly surprising considering the setting!

Sharks, dogs and fishing rods begone as this is for people only. Grab your goggles, bathers and…read morehead to this pseudo swimming pool with floating board, sunbathing pontoons and a boardwalk. This gorgeous tidal pool is a great summer find if you're looking for a safe place to get wet. In the area you'll also find toilets, lockers, change rooms and a kiosk for a cool refreshment. , better seating, Australia's first deep water wheelchair access to a tidal harbour pool and increased views of the harbour. The adjacent Teagardens provides shaded outdoor kiosk seating, views across to the Harbour, toilets and change room facilities for people using the baths. The view is simply stunning and you feel like you're getting the best of both an ocean and pool experience - hence the term "habour pool"...a wonderful way to spend a lazy summer day.

Newly refurbished facility set in the southern suburbs with everything for the family. A standard…read more50m swimming pool and two kids pools. Downside is that all the pools are outside and the 50m pool is often used for school carnivals. Check before going. Upside is that it's much less crowded than Sutherland leisure.

The perfect place to relax on a lazy Spring afternoon, or scorching Summer's day…read more Last year I went through this weird fitness phase, and swimming was my exercise of choice. I would spend every other afternoon staring at that mesmerizing blue line on the bottom of the pool. I would swim back and forth, back and forth. Swimming further and further every time, but never getting anywhere. And with surroundings this beautiful, why would I want to? Nestled amongst Cabarita Park, Cabarita Swimming Centre offers sweeping panoramic views of the foreshore, and the glass fence surrounding the facility ensures none of the natural beauty is lost. Prices are pretty standard- $5.40 for adults, $4.40 for kids and $4.20 for pensioners or seniors. Multi-visit passes are also available if you plan on visiting regularly. While it can get busy in the Summer, Cabarita Swimming Centre is a great spot to exercise, play and relax. Facilities include: * 50 metre outdoor salt water heated pool, * Salt water heated program pool * Shaded/heated toddler's pool, * Shaded bleachers area, * Cafe/kiosk facilities and swimming merchandise (goggles, swim caps etc). Trading Hours: Monday to Friday: 6.00am - 7.30pm Saturday & Sunday: 6am - 6:00pm Public Holidays: 8am - 6pm

There is a group of older men who believe they own the pool, they'll swim in any lane they want and…read moreswim into the back of you as they please, particularly if your a woman. Then they have the nerve to complain about you aloud even though they're in the wrong lane. If you can avoid them then this pool is great!

For those of us living in the Inner West, sometimes Dawn Fraser Baths is the closest thing we can…read moreto the beach. For you East/North/South shore folk this may seem ridiculous. But, despite the lack of sand, waves and seagulls, it is still the ocean and sometimes you've got to take what you can get. In the middle of summer Dawn Fraser ocean pool is packed with kids, water-polo teams, pregnant mums, big groups of teens, lap swimmers and anyone wanting to escape the city heat. The pool rises and falls with the tides, and we can kid ourselves that there's some surf if a ferry goes past creating a minuscule swell. Yes the beach may be free and Dawn Frasers may not be, but Dawn Frasers also has free parking, whereas many beaches do not. What's more, Dawny allows for jumps into the pool, it is shark-free and with timber boards instead of sand, you can make your way to the kiosk and back without sand being blown all over your icecream. Whilst I have some friends that won't come back here due to the occasional jellyfish, this is a standard ocean-related risk not specific to poor Dawny. And besides, this just makes it all the more of a genuine beachy experience. OPENING HOURS Oct - Nov 7.15am - 6.30pm Dec - Feb 6.45am - 7.00pm Mar - Apr 7.15am - 6.30pm Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday

I've been going to Dawny since I was a tot, and thankfully it hasn't changed much! It's a fabulous…read morespot for people watching: a lot of old Balmain characters still hang out there, leathery skin and Speedos .... you can also watch local teams play water-polo. When I lived in Balmain, Dawn Fraser Pool was the next best thing to a beach, and a whole lot closer. There isn't any sand (unless the tide is super low, I guess), but what you get is wooden boards to lie upon, which is actually really, really nice. You can stare down through the cracks at the water below. There's a mix of sun and shade, and a little canteen where you can buy hot chips and ice cream. You will probably see clear jellyfish, sea-weed, and little schools of fish in the water - it's a harbour pool so it comes with the territory. Sea lice can be a problem, though that's never happened to me. Dawny is generally nicer at high tide than during low tide, although at low tide you get to see the holes in the wooden slats: some big enough to let sharks in! Don't worry, there are no sharks, and they fixed the hole. I think. This pool is great for kids, and there are life savers hanging around watching everyone. As with Sydney beaches, it's best not to swim here after a heavy rain, as the run-off can contaminate the water.

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.