With its far-reaching coastline, magical harbour and abundance of urban public swimming pools, Sydney has no shortage of places to get wet. But if what you’re looking for is a celebratory-style pool day – where you can turn Thirsty Merc up to full volume and get silly with your nearest and dearest – it’s preferable to have a private space. Thankfully, you don’t need to actually own a pool to make that dream a reality – thanks to a handy app with 130 Sydney pools available to book by the hour at the click of a button.
Swimply (essentially the Airbnb for pools) helps connect pool owners keen to earn some extra cash with pool-less Sydneysiders looking for a place to splash around under the sun. Since launching in Sydney in 2019, Swimply has built a portfolio of 130 private pools across the city, available to book for around $30-$90 per hour.
Our top picks for a pool day in Sydney this summer include a stunning 15-person infinity pool with views across the harbour, a shady pool in a Sardinian-inspired terrace in Newport, and a magical, bush-shrouded saltwater pool hiding in a garden in Maroubra. The app's search function means you can filter to find pools with the features you need, e.g.: pet-friendly, party-friendly and waterslide-equipped.
If the Aus Open has inspired you to get training for a Grand Slam, Swimply also has tennis and pickleball courts available to book, and you can narrow your search based on budget, proximity and a bunch of other features.
Interested? You can search for pools in Sydney and plan your next pool party over here.
Want to live like a boat-owner instead? Check out this affordable(ish) subscription service.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.