If you’re looking for one of Melbourne’s best outdoor pools – a place where the kids can splish and splash all they want – the Oak Park Pool (officially known as the Oak Park Sports and Aquatic Centre) should be on your to-do list.
Oak Park Pool
The water play opportunities are fantastic in this affordable facility and you can easily spend a couple of hours or even a whole day there!
The 50-metre heated outdoor pool, 20-metre heated shaded toddler pool/learner’s pool, undercover splash pad and two outdoor water slides are a fun way for kids to cool down during the summer.
The shaded pool is perfect for the summer heatwave as it will block ultraviolet sun rays, lessen the chances of sunburn and reduce the heat within the pool and the area around it.
The splash pad is particularly popular with toddlers and younger kids who enjoy playing with the interactive sprayers, water rings, soakers, shooters and water tip buckets.
The main swimming pool has one lane separated for aqua play.
For older kids who enjoy a thrill, the Oak Park Pool water slides will be what they’ll look forward to the most. They even offer raft mats on one of the water slides, so that if your child is there with a friend they can go down the slide together. To use the giant waterslides children must be over 120cm tall, so best to manage little ones’ expectations to avoid disappointment.
Oak Park Sports and Aquatic Centre also includes a 24/7 gym, cycle studio and virtual cycle, fitness classes and sparkling clean change rooms and toilets. There’s a small kiosk where you can buy snacks although most people bring a picnic blanket, eskies and a picnic lunch and snacks. No glass is allowed.
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Oak Park Pool Hours
Oak Park outdoor pool is usually open by 6 am on weekdays but other facilities like the waterslide won’t open until later.
The splash pad is open from 9 am generally.
The giant water slides are generally open from 10 am but with staff shortages, you may find that the slides are not able to open at all on the day, in which case reception will provide you with a refund.
Also, the waterslides only open when the weather forecast is 26 degrees and above, the day prior. Oak Park Pool is very popular so on hot days it can reach capacity by midday, so best to get there early. We arrive at 9 am and it is perfect timing for getting a parking spot, finding a shady spot to set up and having a splash around before the water slides open at 10 am.
Given the ever-changing circumstances, my best advice is to check Oak Park Swimming Pool’s Facebook page before heading there to avoid disappointment.
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