Overview
It might be warm and sunny in Brisbane more often than it's not, but that doesn't mean the city is blessed with beach weather all year round. Sometimes it's just too cold to dip your toes in the ocean out at Wynnum or splash around in South Bank's riverside pools — let alone to trek to the coast.
That's where heated facilities come in, offering up the watery fun Brisbanites know and love while keeping the temperature much more pleasant than nature intends in winter. If you're after a steamy dip even when it's chilly or rainy outside, we'd recommend giving these five heated pools a try.
Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons
VALLEY POOL
There are plenty of pools in Brisbane, but there's a reason that the Valley Pool remains one of the city's favourites. No, it's not just because everyone walks and drives past it on Wickham Street all the time — although location does have something to do with it. This local institution boasts history dating back to 1925, as well as ideal conditions for taking a dip regardless of the weather. High walls keep the wind out and blessed heating keeps the temperature up, but you can still feel the fresh air on the back of your neck as you're doing laps. At present, the Valley Pool is only open to lap swimmers, not spectators or sunbathers.
Open Monday–Friday 5.15am–7.30pm, Saturday 5.15am–12pm and Sunday 7.30am–12pm.
NEWMARKET POOL
Who needs one heated swimming pool when you can splash around in two? That may be Newmarket Pool's main claim to fame — well, that and their slides and water features for kids — but it's reason enough to head slightly north of the city. While the eight-lane 50-metre pool is currently closed for maintenance, as is always is in winter, the smaller 25-metre body of water is open, and lets you enjoy all the benefits of a toasty warm dip. You'll be doing laps here, because that's what the 25-metre pool is all about; however you can also make a date with an aqua aerobics class, which are held eight times a week.
25-metre pool open Monday–Friday 8am–3.30pm and Saturday 12–1pm.
QUT GARDENS POINT POOL
If you spend your weekdays in the inner city, QUT Gardens Point Pool should be your swimming spot of choice. It's located within Queensland University of Technology, but it's open to the public — and it's also the only Olympic Standard, 50-metre indoor 27-degree heated pool in the Brisbane CBD. For those serious about their watery activities, that should be all the convincing you need. The shiny facility also offers learn-to-swim programs, squad training and just plain old leisure swimming.
Open Monday–Friday 5am–6.45pm.
CENTENARY AQUATIC CENTRE
The best pools in Brisbane cater for as many kinds of wet and wild fun as they can, and Centenary Aquatic Centre in Spring Hill is no exception. If it's a central spot to splash and swim laps in comfortable temperatures that you're after, then that's just what you'll get — as well as a diving platform for anyone looking to leap from a great height, a health club onsite, and a group fitness program. Plus, it's super close to the city.
Open Monday–Thursday 5am–3.30pm and 5.30–8pm, Friday 5am–3.30pm and 5.30–6pm, Saturday 8.30am–6pm and Sunday 7am–6pm.
COLMSLIE AQUATIC CENTRE
Located within the Colmslie Recreation Reserve at Morningside are two pools and a water play park just waiting to get you wet. The Colmslie Aquatic Centre may be one of the relatively newer additions to Brisbane's map of public swimming spots, opening in 2010, but it remains an enticing one nonetheless. Both pools are heated and accessible all-year round, and play host to squad training as well as fitness classes.
Open Monday–Thursday 5am–3.15pm and 5–8pm, Friday 5am–3.15pm and 5–6.30pm, Saturday 9.30am–6pm and Sunday 8am–6pm.
Top image: Centenary Aquatic Centre, Brisbane City Council.