Water play and swimming for kids in NSW North Coast

Water play

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

Everything on the map

Over the border

Gold Coast →Newcastle & the Hunter →Ipswich →Logan →Armidale, Tamworth & New England →

Nearest first, from Coffs Harbour



Beaches and islands

Protected family beach by the Coffs Harbour Jetty, with a beach mat, beach wheelchairs and a playground in Jetty Foreshores Park; patrolled in the NSW summer holidays.

under 5 min

Photo: frumbert, CC BY 2.0

Woolgoolga Back Beach

Woolgoolga

about 30 min

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Over 30 minutes

from Coffs Harbour

Arakoon National Park

Shaded picnic area with barbecues and kangaroos; the beach is not patrolled and NPWS does not recommend swimming.

about 1 hr 15

Photo: Robert Montgomery, CC BY 2.0



Waterfalls, lakes and swimming

Pool

Coffs Harbour Memorial Olympic Pool

Coffs Harbour

under 5 min

Swimming spot

Sawtell Memorial Rock Pool

Free ocean pool on the southern side of Bonville Headland where Bonville Creek meets the sea.

about 15 min

Photo: Joy Engelman, CC BY-SA 3.0

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Over 30 minutes

from Coffs Harbour

Pool

South West Rocks Swimming Pool

South West Rocks

about 1 hr 15

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Over 1½ hours

from Coffs Harbour

Pool

Macleay Memorial Pool

Gladstone

about 1 hr 30

Photo: Christopher Wood, CC BY-SA 3.0

Free 30 m tidal pool at the south end of Main Beach, open all hours; closed for cleaning every second Thursday in the warmer months.

about 1 hr 45

Photo: vandalenmike, CC BY 2.0

Pool

Port Macquarie Swimming Pool

Port Macquarie

about 2 hr 15

Pool

Evans Head Aquatic Centre

Evans Head

about 2 hr 30

Pool

Casino Memorial Olympic Pool

Casino

about 2 hr 45

Pool

Ballina Memorial Olympic Pool & Waterslide

Ballina

about 2 hr 45

Pool

Alstonville Squash and Fitness Centre / Aquatic Centre

Alstonville

about 3 hr

Water park

Heritage Park, Lismore

Lismore

about 3 hr

Photo: Aliceinthealice, CC0

Pool

Lismore Memorial Baths

Lismore

about 3 hr

Photo: Tony 1212, CC BY 4.0

Lake

Lake Ainsworth

Freshwater tea-tree lake ideal for families with young children; check Ballina Shire Council for blue-green algae alerts.

about 3 hr

Photo: Christopher Wood, CC BY-SA 3.0

Pool

Bonalbo Memorial Swimming Pool

Bonalbo

about 3 hr 15

Pool

Kyogle Memorial Swimming Pool

Kyogle

about 3 hr 15

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Big playgrounds

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Over 1½ hours

from Coffs Harbour

Big playground

Riverside Park playground

Kempsey

Riverside children's playground with a flying fox, climbing frame and water features, beside the Kempsey markets.

about 1 hr 45

Big playground

Westport Park playground

Port Macquarie

Livvi's Place inclusive playspace on the Port Macquarie waterfront, Park Street.

about 2 hr 15

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.