Swimming On The Goldy For Non-Beachies

By Thomas Souness.

With the option of a well-stocked swim-up pool bar right at home, or a gorgeous golden beach just 50 meters away, it’s hard to imagine wanting to stray far from QT Gold Coast for your obligatory summertime swim. For those looking for a different local flavour however, here are our recommendations…

AquaSplash

Traditional waterparks are fun, but if chlorine and concrete’s not your thing- consider this beachy alternative.

Officially opened on November 1, 2013 – AquaSplash became Australia’s first open water fun park. Bordered by a netted enclosure, to keep out the less friendly sea creatures, but still allowing the gorgeous Broadwater to flow through freely- AquaSplash is essentially a giant, floating obstacle course; complete with towering inflatables, aquatic trampolines and challenging balance beams.

Only running in the warmer months, this local treasure opens seven days a week, from 7am to 6pm. The best news is that tickets are cheap, which makes this is an ideal family activity. You’ll be looking at $7 for children aged 7-9 years old, $12 for 10-16 year olds, and $15 for the big kids, aged 17 and over.

Gold Coast Aquatic Centre

If you haven’t had your fill of jumping off of things into water for the day, why not head next door to the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre?

The GCAC is a world-class swimming facility, and will be the swimming and diving facility for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Boasting an impressive six pools (including a 10-lane, Olympic sized competition pool), a dry land dive training facility, and dive boards-galore, this is hardly your average local pool.

General admission starts at $4.20 for children, and $5.70 for adults (15 years and over).

Opening hours: 5am- 8pm weekdays, 6am- 5pm Saturdays, and 7am- 4pm on Sundays and public holidays.

AquaSplash and Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, are both located at the Broadwater Parklands, just a short drive or G:Link ride from QT Gold Coast.