Try Sydney's City Pools For Free This Summer

Not every Sydneysider has the luxury of being able to nab a cheeky beach dip in Tamarama after work. The words "hectic traffic", "epic trek", "generally CBF" start a long list of pretty solid excuses. If you're an inner-city dweller, chances are you've found your nearest community pool for cooling off and doing mad laps in. Luckily, the City of Sydney's built a fair few aquatic centres around town, five in all. And summer's the perfect time to try 'em all — for free.

Over a series of Saturdays, the City of Sydney is hosting a series of free open days in their swimming pools, inviting locals to try out everything each 50-metre pool has to offer — from the insanely pretty Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool located on the edge of the harbour, to the $40 million Harry Seidler and Associates-designed Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre. There'll be a range of activities for all ages on the day, including tours, fitness classes, aquatic inflatables, learn-to-swim information, barbecues and face painting. Plus, you get to swim for free.

The idea behind the open days is to give you a chance to test out the facilities associated with the City of Sydney's 360 card — $53.40 a fortnight for access to all five of the City of Sydney's aquatic centres across the city, and their adjoining fitness facilities.

CITY OF SYDNEY SWIMMING POOL OPEN DAYS:

Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool: Saturday, January 30, 9am-midday
Prince Alfred Park Pool: Saturday, February 6, 9am-midday
Victoria Park Pool: Saturday, February 13, 9am-midday
Cook + Philip Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre: Saturday, February 20, 8am-1pm
Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre: Saturday, February 27, 8am-1pm

Image: City of Sydney.