Despite complaints about the fickle weather, Melbourne does deliver when it comes to its pools. So the next time it hits 25 degrees, hit up one of these urban oases and drag your towel to a spare bit of premium pool real estate to soak up some rays. Alternatively, see if you've got the guts to become one of the Iceburgers at Brighton Baths, and swim your heart out come rain, hail or shine.
Offering a view of the beach that you'd be hard-pressed to beat, the Brighton Baths Health Club has been home to Melbourne's most adventurous swimmers since 1881. The Olympic-sized open water sea baths are the main attraction (there's also a gym and steam room), and it's popular with cold water swimmers in the winter. The facility is open to casual visitors and members.
Brunswick Baths boasts an environmentally friendly, cost-efficient facility with a 50-metre outdoor heated pool (which operates year-round) and grass surroundings. There's also a 20-metre indoor pool, a spa, sauna and steam room, a gym, group fitness classes, a childcare centre and accessible facilities.
Open since 1908, Fitzroy Pool is a northside institution. Thanks to its big 50-metre heated outdoor swimming pool, lap swimmers can stick to their fitness routines all year round. Come summer though, there's much more happening and it's the perfect place for people watching. There's also a gym, spa, sauna and a toddler's pool for the little kids.
Prahran Pool is where to go if you want to see and be seen. The 50-metre outdoor lap pool is open year-round – and it's heated, so you shouldn't let the thought of icy cold water put you off in winter. Just off Chapel Street, summer at the Prahran Pool draws a mixed crowd – check out the beautiful people preening on the stairs, the cool kids lounging on the lawns or the families running around the toddler's pool.
Opened in 1997, this $65 million development was built on the site of several outdated sports arenas, and hosted events from the 2006 Commonwealth Games events and 2007 FINA Swimming Championship meets. The 50-metre outdoor pool was built in 2006 and updated in 2008 to include a world-first moveable floor. There's also an indoor pool, a wave pool and a water slide if the weather's not great for alfresco swimming.
The Carlton Baths are an icon of the CBD, having first opened in February 1916. These days, the baths have received a number of sleek upgrades, but the vibe still retains some of that old Carlton charm. The 25-metre pool is outside, and because of its shorter length there tend to be fewer hardcore swimmers doing laps, so it's a lot less intimidating.
If you've bemoaned the fact that inner-city Melbourne doesn't have proper surfing beaches, this is for you. Head along to Australia's first inland surf park, Urbnsurf, located within spitting distance of Melbourne Airport in Tullamarine. The two-hectare surfing lagoon has areas customisable for all ages and abilities – so if you're not Layne Beachley just yet, you'll do just fine. The modular wave generator means that there can be different kinds of waves in different sections of the pool.
The restored St Kilda Sea Baths exude that eclectic but easy-going ambience typical of St Kilda. The 25-metre seawater swimming pool is heated, but only uses a small amount of chlorine so you get less of that itchy feeling on your skin once you get out. If you really need to unwind, head to the hydrotherapy spa or the aromatherapy steam room – both will soothe tired muscles.
Nestled within the leafy streets of Glen Iris, Harold Holt (strangely named after our ill-fated Prime Minister) is a suburban haven for southside fitness junkies. Both the indoor 25-metre pool and a 50-metre outdoor pool are heated, so there's no excuse not to get your Thorpedo on. There's also the slightly warmer, warm water pool which is ideal for rehab and hydrotherapy exercise and relaxation. There's also a gym, swim classes and a big shady area to lie about in the sun in the warmer months.
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