Lane Cove Aquatic Centre – great for for all ages – Hello Sydney KidsHello Sydney Kids

This is absolutely one of my family’s favourite swimming spots, winter and summer.  We’ve been regular visitors since we came to Sydney and 14 years and four kids later, we’re still getting great value from it.

The lesiure pool has several areas, some very suitable for babies and toddler and others good for the learner swimmer.

Two smaller almost-circular pools have seating, great areas for kids who can swim a little way.

We call this the “rainbow fountain” – I’ve been a shark and a crocodile and chased kids around here MANY, MANY times.

The littler under fives love this bubble beach and its mini fountains, they will race around and splash here for ages (BYO watering can).  Right at the rear of this shot is where the large spa is, with sauna alongside.

There’s a lap pool for adults and older children who are able swimmers and beyond it is the small, warm learn to swim pool.

This is the little cafe, there are lots of tables by the poolside. Sitting at these can be nervewracking if you have toddling tots, but very relaxing if your kids are watersafe/out and dried and sitting with you.

Adults and older siblings can brave the outdoor Olympic-sized pool. There’s a huge area of grass here too, lovely for picnics in the summer.

Ah summer, we can’t wait for you to come back so we can splash again at Lane Cove.

Lane Cove Aquatic Centre

1 Little Street, Lane Cove 2066

Phone: 9418 8888

Website: www.lanecoveaquatic.com.au

Open: Monday–Friday 6am–9pm; Saturday and Sunday 6am–8pm. Under fives free.

Pools: Indoors—large leisure pool, teaching pool, 25 metre lap pool, spa and sauna. Outdoors—50 metre pool.

An excellent pool for young children and their carers. The leisure pool is very large with extensive bubbly shallow areas for the littlest children and a magnificent tunnel of fountains. The cafe is right beside the pool making mid-dip coffees and snacks a highlight of the visit. For families with children of varying ages, Lane Cove works well as the leisure pool is very big but all of it can be seen easily from all areas.

Bonus for adults—use of the adults only spa, steam room and sauna is included in entry fee. Hiding away in the warm steam whilst someone else minds the kids in the pool for a few minutes is a terrific little stressbuster for parents. Outside there are grassy areas and terrace seating around the original 50 metre pool.

Cafe: Cafe sells breakfast, hot meals, snacks and drinks

Baby change: Yes

Shade: Lots on the grassy areas

Strollers: Fine

Playground: No

Swim school: Yes

Creche: Yes

Gym: Yes

Sports shop: Yes

Membership available: Yes

Mum’s report: This centre has always been a favourite with local families in summertime but now is a year-round aquatic attraction and well worth travelling to get to. Lane Cove is especially good when there are two adults to look after the kids, one can dash off and have a real swim for a wee while. The less energetic can go off and flop in the spa and sauna, it’s wonderful that adults do not have to pay any extra to use these.

Map reference: Gregory’s 314 E1, Sydway 256 L13, UBD 215 E1

Parking: Free council carpark opposite

Bus stop nearby: Yes

To see a Google map, click here.

This is an extract from Sydney For Under Fives.