Water babies and urban mermaids can splish splash the day away in the best outdoor pools in and around the city.
Here’s our pick of Melbourne’s best outdoor pools to take a dip in and enjoy those sweet sunny days with live music, movies and poolside fun.
The Pool Deck, Adelphi Hotel
A world away from Melbourne’s public pools, this hidden gem on the rooftop of The Adelphi Hotel in the CBD will set you back $35 a session, but with excellent lounging opportunities, a bar on site and no swim schools jostling for pool space, it’s money well spent. Open 9am – 10pm all week, there’s also special events on at The Pool Deck such as the pop up bar from Four Pillars Gin or the Melbourne Food & Wine Pool Party.
187 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Fitzroy Pool
This Northside institution has been keeping the permanently hip Fitzroy locals cool from sun up until sun down for many a year. Built in 1908, it has retro charm while still being one of the city’s best outdoor pools. Don your budgie smugglers – c’mon, we’re all friends here! – and swim laps in the 50-metre pool, then stretch out on the bleachers for a bit of one-on-one time under the sun. Find out more.
160 Alexandra Parade, Fitzroy.
Mon-Fri, 6am – 8pm
Sat-Sun 8am – 7pm
North Melbourne Recreation Centre
At 25-metres long, this North Melbourne oasis has more to offer than taking a soak in the H20. By day eight lanes are kept free for serious swimmers to do laps, but come night, it turns into the ultimate Dive In Movie experience. Kick back on your neon inflatable and drift around the pool under the glowing lights of the big screen to catch the movie of the moment. Find out screening dates on Facebook
204-206 Arden Street, North Melbourne
Mon-Fri 6am – 8pm
Sat-Sun 8am – 7pm
Carlton Baths
After going through serious renovations a few years ago, Carlton Baths has retained its place as a locals’ favourite to take a dip or hang out in the grounds. With sail shades offering protection from the sun and grassy spots that are great for stretching out and reading a book, you don’t have to get wet to enjoy this space. But if taking a dip is your main mission, the heated 25-metre pool is a watery haven to cool off on hot days. Pack your bathers and settle in for a Sunday at the Baths, a season of live poolside music events throughout summer. See the program to check who is playing.
248 Rathdowne Street, Carlton
Mon-Fri 6am – 10pm
Sat-Sun 8am – 8pm
Prahran Aquatic Centre, Prahran
If posing by the pool is your jam, Prahran Aquatic Centre is one of Melbourne’s best outdoor pools. Fancier than you average public pool, this 50-metre urban lagoon is heated which helps during those cool days – looking at you Melbourne ‘summer’. Its sweeping wooden sundeck is the perfect spot to work on your tan lines. As the mercury rises over summer, the tunes get turned up as the pool host the ultimate Sunday pool party with beats starting at 1pm. More details are available on Facebook
41 Essex Street, Prahran
Mon-Fri 5.45am – 7.45pm
Sat 6am – 6.15pm
Sun 7am – 6.15pm.
Brighton Baths, Brighton
A salty slice of the ocean, Brighton Baths offers the best of both worlds with safe sea swimming in a sectioned off area as well as a program of activities including yoga, tai chi and meditation on the beautiful deck. While the water temperature is au naturel, it’s also sans chlorine so it’s just you and the deep blue sea. The restaurant is a good spot to grab lunch or dinner and people watch over the pool and bay, post swim.
251 Esplanade, Brighton
The Pool Deck, Rydges Hotel, Swanson Street
While the rooftop pool at Rydges doesn’t offer public passes, you can rent this space and host your very own summer pool party. Get a quick group message out to your gang and lock in a date for some prime lounging time in your best bikini or budgies.
701 Swanson Street, Carlton