WE SWAPPED the girls’ usual splashing and bubble blowing (usually from both ends) at a nearby private pool for the state-of-the-art Launceston Aquatic Centre on Sunday. We’ve experienced just about every pool in Tasmania and this one is by far our favourite. And so it should be, being Tasmania’s newest public swimming pool and costing a tidy penny.
Before you start making jokes about Tasmanians and swimming, the majority of the centre’s pools are indoors. Although, some silly fools were swimming in the outdoor area on this particular day and, I can tell you, it was freezing.
What appeals to us about this one is that during summer it’s perfect to roam between the indoor and outdoor sections and in winter, you can still enjoy a dip with the indoor area being well heated. In fact, I was literally sweating in my cardi on Sunday.
There’s plenty of choice for pools, from the indoor and outdoor beach entry leisure pools
to the indoor 50m competition pool and outdoor 25m lap pool with diving boards. Li’l Holly was just happy with in the baby pool.
Ella was more interested in the interactive water play area, which has slides and a large bucket that dumps water over the entire area every minute or so. Although, she timed her trips down the slide to the second so she wouldn’t get dumped on.
Even Holly went for a few rides with The Bloke in The Shed.
As the girls get older, it will be nice to transition to the 65m waterslide. Although, I might add, you’ll never catch me on it.
The aquarium also has a program pool and spa, multi-purpose rooms, barbecues, swim shop, classes and change areas that are clean, tidy and very spacious.
Not to mention The Cube Cafe, with our lunch quickly demolished. Eyes off my sandwiches, Ella.
Conclusion: If you’re looking for a quality swimming facility that caters for all ages and abilities, it’s hard to go past the Launceston Aquatic Centre. It’s easy to keep an eye on children in the main area from most vantage points. The view over Launceston is pretty spectacular too. The only real negative – and something that needs to be addressed – is the parking. While there is ample paid parking, the metre only runs for 90 minutes. This can be a little frustrating if you’re alone with children.
Highlight: Seeing Li’l Holly so confident in the water, thanks so the 0.35m baby pool. Although, she gained so much confidence she started crawling in it, got into the deep end and went under for a few seconds. She then came up and laughed. Oh, and seeing this image on the way home.
What does it cost: It’s $5.90 for adults, children 6-15 are $4.50, children 2-5 are $1.90 and children under 2 are free. Non swimmers are $2.20 and a family is $17.50. For other fees and charges, see the website.
How to get there: York St, Launceston.
Learn more: Visit www.launcestonaquatic.com.au to learn more and make sure you join them on Facebook.
DISCLOSURE: Not necessary for this post.
See more from the My Tasmanian Backyard series. This was also a part of our mission to lead a healthier life, as I tackle The Soup and the Heart Foundation‘s Mum’s United project.
Do you swim with your children? Do you visit a private or public pool?
Hey, no photos of you?!?! Great review Kellie, like your backyard series 🙂
Hmmm, yes, just realised I was on the other end of the camera all day!!
And thanks, glad you liked it, Laney. 🙂
Isn’t great seeing your children becoming confident in the water ? Love that slide for the kiddies !!! And how awesome is that big one ??!!! That’s the one I’d jump on…in a flash ! Forget the twinlets 😉
So true, Grace. Especially when I wasn’t much of a swimmer as a kid. In fact, I’m still not much of a swimmer. Hence my total fear of that waterslide!! LOL! 🙂
Looks like a great place for kids. Our local pool is just a standard one but one of my playgroup mums keeps telling me about a fantastic aquatic centre about 20mins away. After seeing how much fun Ella had here, I feel like a grinch not taking Olive yet. Thanks for giving me the kick in the proverbial!
My pleasure, Di! LOL!
Knowing how confident Ella is now around water and how water wise she’s become, I think I could nearly take both girls by myself to our local pool. Launceston was perfect because there were also life savers dotted throughout the centre too, which is extra peace of mind. Not that I’d ever take my eyes off either of them, of course! 🙂
Our boys love swimming…and getting wet!! Love the look of the pool iin Tasmania – not sure that our kids would be game enough to swim out in the open, but I reckon that they would love to swim in the heated pool!!
Love how they both were alseep in the car – so beautiful!
Cheers
Lisa
All the pools are just fabulous, Lisa. And there’s nothing better than stepping out of the indoor pools and the centre being toasty and warm.
And yes, the princesses were out to it within minutes on the way home! Which then led to them being awake half the night! LOL! 🙂
We swim
A lot
Sometimes even at Tassie beaches!!
We love the Launceston pool too
So glad to find someone else who loves it as much as us, Ally. We swim at the beach at The Bluff in Devonport quite a bit during summer. Which beaches do you tend to go to? We’re on the lookout for some new ones this summer! 🙂
Love it Kel! Seeing so many great pix is a boon for families planning a visit. So glad you have started this series, whenever we get to Tassie we’ll be checking out this place.
I would LOVE the slide… ahhh… we’re never too old to enjoy a happy childhood!
So glad to hear that, Seana. I tend to base a lot of whether I’ll go somewhere on what it looks lke in photos, so I realise how important it is when reviewing something.
And the slide? You can have it! LOL! 🙂