Water play and swimming for kids in Adelaide

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32 places to cool off across the region: water parks, pools, beaches, lakes and swimming spots, nearest first from Adelaide. Choose your suburb at the top to sort from where you are staying.

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Nearest first, from Adelaide

Beaches and islands

Henley Beach
Beach
Henley Beach
Henley Square behind the jetty has toilets, a beach shower, shade and a water feature.
about 15 min
Photo: Mike Cogh, CC BY-SA 2.0
Glenelg Beach
Beach
Glenelg Beach
Wide beach beside the jetty, Moseley Square and the foreshore playground; the tram from the city ends here.
about 15 min
Photo: eGuide Travel, CC BY 2.0
Beach illustration
Beach
Grange Beach
Grange
about 15 min
Beach illustration
Beach
Tennyson Beach
Tennyson
about 15 min
Brighton Beach
Beach
Brighton Beach
Long jetty over a sandy beach, patrolled by Brighton Surf Life Saving Club in summer.
about 20 min
Photo: eosdude, CC BY-SA 2.0
Beach illustration
Beach
West Lakes Shore Beach
West Lakes Shore
about 20 min
Beach illustration
Beach
Semaphore Park Beach
Semaphore Park
about 20 min
Semaphore Beach
Beach
Semaphore Beach
Family-friendly shallows; dolphins and seals are often seen from the end of the jetty. Foreshore works are planned from February 2027.
about 20 min
Photo: Matthew Summerton, CC BY-SA 3.0

Waterfalls, lakes and swimming

Rymill Park Lake
Lake
Rymill Park Lake
Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka (Park 14)
Families come to watch the ducks; the Quentin Kenihan Inclusive Playspace is on the lake's eastern side.
under 5 min
Photo: pjf3938, CC BY-SA 2.0
Torrens Lake
Lake
Torrens Lake
Captain Jolley's paddleboats hire from 11am on weekends, school and public holidays, weather permitting.
under 5 min
Photo: MaxMonaco, CC BY-SA 4.0
Pool illustration
Pool
Unley StateSwim
Unley
under 5 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Unley Swimming Centre
Forestville
under 5 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Adelaide Aquatic Centre
North Adelaide
about 5 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Thebarton Aquatic Center
Torrensville
about 5 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Norwood Swimming Pool
Kensington
about 5 min
Pool illustration
Pool
George Bolton Swimming Centre
Hazelwood Park
about 10 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre
Felixstow
about 10 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Marion Outdoor Pool
Park Holme
about 15 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Oaks Swim Centre
Gilles Plains
about 15 min
Playford Lake
Lake
Playford Lake
1 km walk
The 1 km Wood Duck Walk loops the lake on gravel and boardwalk (30 min); free BBQs at the lake. Vehicle entry $14.40.
about 15 min
Photo: Yu Chu Chin, CC BY-SA 4.0
Thorndon Park
Lake
Thorndon Park
1.45 km walk
Sealed 1.45 km loop around the old reservoir; no swimming, bikes or dogs.
about 15 min
Photo: AlphaLemur, CC BY-SA 3.0
SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre
Pool
SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre
Oaklands Park
about 15 min
Photo: Ianblair23, CC BY-SA 3.0
West Lakes
Lake
West Lakes
The council says swimming is safe, but wait at least 3 days after rain.
about 15 min
Photo: Golf99, CC0
Lake illustration
Lake
Happy Valley Reservoir Reserve
2 km walk
Picnic areas with shelters and BBQs, walking loops from 2 km, kayaking and canoeing, permit fishing and a dam wall lookout.
about 25 min
Lake illustration
Lake
Wynn Vale Dam
A boardwalk with ducks and other birds, a shaded playground with sand and water play, and toilets. The 5 km Dry Creek trail starts here.
about 25 min
Lake illustration
Lake
Lake Windemere
Lake Windemere Reserve
A quiet lake with fish, water birds and a bushy island. Walking trails circle it, and there is a fenced, shaded play space.
about 30 min

Big playgrounds

Big playground illustration
Big playground
Quentin Kenihan Inclusive Playspace
Adelaide
Fully fenced inclusive playspace beside Rymill Park Lake with water play, accessible swings, a Changing Places toilet and BBQs.
under 5 min
Big playground illustration
Big playground
Bonython Park
Adelaide
Two 25 m flying foxes, a big water play area with pumps, gates and a watermill, a giant 'mouse wheel' and an accessible carousel.
under 5 min
Big playground illustration
Big playground
Glenunga Reserve playground
Glenunga
Burnside playground with water play, speaking tubes and a communication board.
about 5 min
Big playground illustration
Big playground
Hendrie Street Reserve Inclusive Playground
Park Holme
Marion's regional inclusive playground: fully fenced, with water play, an inclusive carousel, climbing wall, rocky river nature play and accessible toilets.
about 10 min
Big playground illustration
Big playground
Glenelg Foreshore Playspace
Glenelg
Foreshore playspace with water play, trampolines, climbing, a hammock and toilets; the carousel is away for repairs.
about 15 min
Big playground illustration
Big playground
Thorndon Park playground
Paradise
All-inclusive bird-themed playground: flying fox, sky bridge and towers, water play, trampolines, carousel, ninja course and a liberty swing.
about 15 min
Drive times are estimated from the distance, so treat them as a guide. Tap a card for the full page.
Region boundary: ABS Tourism Regions 2021 (Tourism Research Australia), CC BY 4.0. Outings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and venues' own listings; nature spots from OpenStreetMap and park services.