Once upon a time Brisbane’s river was studded with floating swimming baths, public and private enclosures that served to keep the population cool in the summer months. Then in 1886 the first public in ground pool – the Spring Hill Baths - was built, heralding the beginning of the end for the river baths.

Tucked away in an inner city backstreet, they are still operating today in their largely original state and, along with Brisbane’s other heritage listed pools are well worth a visit.

For swimming pools that children will love, a number of suburban and bay complexes have incorporated brilliant play features while others have followed the tropical lagoon theme.