When it comes to water parks, Sydney has plenty to offer from the big theme park style Raging Waters to local council pools where a family can have a fun day out on a budget. Read on for our take on the best places to stay cool this summer.

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When summer hits, kids and fun loving adults love nothing more than visiting one of the many water parks Sydney offers. There is plenty of choice too, from official water parks with all the bells and whistles to slides and play areas in local swimming pools and aquatic centres. There are even water play and splash zones in parks across the city.

Large Water Parks in Sydney

Let’s start with the water parks that make the biggest splash. If you are looking for a special day out or are an adult wanting an amazing water park experience without kids in tow, these are your best choice.

Raging Waters

Raging Waters Sydney, (previously Wet n Wild) is the biggest of the water parks in Sydney.

With 30 slides on offer, this fun filled water park is one of the best known and busiest in the state. From the terrifying T5 in which two or four riders descend into the darkness at speed through tubes at zero gravity to the giant tipping bucket at the Splash Pads, kids of all ages will love Raging Waters.

For a relaxing break, chill out in the wave pool or if you have the kids with you a float around the dinosaur lagoon is always popular.

If you don’t want to pack a picnic, there are two restaurants, enjoy American BBQ or grab a pizza. You can also buy coffee! There are some rules for what you can bring into the park, so check the policies before you visit.

Families who live near Raging Waters often opt for a season pass, but really anyone who plans to visit twice should grab one of these.

Who is this park best for? Adults, toddlers and everyone in between will enjoy a day at Raging Waters. For adult thrill-seekers, this and Jamberoo are your best options.

Where: 427 Reservoir Rd, Prospect
When: 10am-5pm weekends – and school holidays
Cost: $55-$79 single day, $90 season pass

Aquatopia Water Park

One of the less known water parks in Sydney, Aquatopia is inside the Prairiewood Leisure Centre, one of Fairfield City Council swimming pools. This is the most affordable water park in the city and is one of the best value family fun days to be had in south-western Sydney.

There are 10 and 20 metre high giant slides, a wave pool and wave rider and the Adventure Aqua Tower with loads of things to interact with.

The park is currently undergoing an expansion and will offer three new racing slides, a high-speed free-fall slide and rocket drop slide.

It’s also a great place for a birthday party of family get together with over two dozen cabanas and sheltered areas that can be booked by groups. Some offer BBQ and cooling facilities for your drinks too! These sell out quickly, so book early.

Who is this park best for? The whole family will enjoy a few hours at Aquatopia and this is the best option for budget saving fun.

Where: Inside Prairiewood Leisure Centre, Prairie Vale Road
When: From spring school holidays until after Easter. Check the website for details.
Cost: Adults $16 for residents of Fairfield LGA and $20 for non-residents, family tickets $59-67

Cables Aqua Park and Wake Park

The Aqua Park at Penrith is part of the well loved Cables Wake Park and a great day out for the whole family. The water park comprises several inflatable slides and jumping pillows spread across a spacious lake.

Choose from single, or double sessions, or day pricing for both the aqua park and wake park. Along with the water sport fun, the site has a lot of other facilities, including barbeques, and play equipment you can enjoy after your session has ended. The site is free to enter and only those using the park’s water facilities are required to pay.

Who: Cables Aqua Park is best suited to swimmers and older kids because of its setting in the middle of a lake.

Where: 405 Jamison Rd, Penrith
When: Nov, Feb & March – Thurs & Fri 1pm – 5pm Weekends 10am-5pm Dec. daily 10am-5pm
Cost: Single session (50 minutes) $25, Double session $35, Day pass $50

Jamberoo Action Park

Jamberoo Action Park is a much loved family owned water park south of Sydney not far from Kiama. Brand new for the 2023 season is Velocity Falls, a new precinct with two great rides, the Octo Racer and The Stinger.

The Octo Racer sees 8 lanes of twisting, high speed fun where riders compete to see who will reach the bottom of the mountain first. Perhaps only for the brave, on the Stinger you will scream as the floor disappears and you enjoy a completely thrilling zero gravity experience.

These rides are the first of their type in Australia. Built into the mountain side Velocity Falls sees water rushing at speed down the mountain. Surrounded by rainforest, this is one of the most beautiful water parks in NSW.

If you’re visiting with younger kids head to Billabong Beach where you will find water jets and kid size water slides.

Who is this park for: With thirteen watersides and water rides along with a chairlift, landscape golf and a train ride, this park offers something for the whole family but will be especially loved by old kids and adults.

Where: 1215 Jamberoo Rd, Jamberoo
When: 10am-5pm Friday-Sunday and School Holidays
Cost: Kids under 3yrs free – Kids and seniors $59, Adults $69 Annual passes available.

Manly Surf n Slide

This old favourite just to the west of Manly Ferry Terminal has been entertaining Sydney’s children each summer for decades. Previously known as Manly Waterworks the site received a makeover in 2016 and continues to provide enjoyment for families today.

With a much smaller footprint than the water parks above, this is probably best combined with a visit to some of Manly’s other attractions or for local visitors.

Where: corner of West Esplanade and Commonwealth Parade, Manly
When: Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 9:30am-4:30pm, Daily in school holidays
Cost: $40 for a daypass, $20 for one hour $30 for two hours.

Fun Swimming Pool and Aquatic Centres in Sydney

There is no need to spend big to find fun filled water parks in Sydney. Many councils offer amazing water parks as part of their aquatic centres. These offer affordable entry prices for families and usually free parking!

We will highlight our favourites, but check out your local pool before you get in the car, perhaps there is a water park closer to home than you realise.

Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre

This brand new swimming complex at Green Square is a parent’s dream. On top of having a fun water play area for kids, there is also a crèche where staff will keep the kids 8 weeks to 6 years occupied while you nip off and have a swim yourself.

Gunyama means “wind from the southwest” in Sydney Aboriginal language

The young ones will love the fountains and kids of all ages will enjoy discovering the ‘mega-drencher’ and slide.

Accessibility: Being a brand new facility Gunyama ticks the boxes for assessable access perhaps better than any other pool here. There are ramp entries for all pools and a pool hoist near the shallow end of the 50-metre pool and in the Hydro therapy pool. There is also a fully accredited Changing Places facility.

Who will love this park? Everyone! This state-of-the-art pool will keep the whole family happy and is with indoor and outdoor areas is fun year round.

Where: 17 Zetland Ave, Zetland
When: 6am-8pm
Cost: $8.30 adults, $6.2o for kids over 3 years.

Cook + Phillip Park Pool

You would never guess that there is a kid friendly pool hidden away from view right next door to St Mary’s Cathedral but those in the know swear by this oasis in the heart of the city.

The facilities here are wonderful for younger children who love to play in the fountains and the shallow toddler pool. On weekends, a wave making pool is in operation from noon.

Accessibility: Cook and Phillip Park Pool has a 50m Olympic Pool with hoist, an aqua wheelchair and ramp access to leisure pool and hydro pool.

Where: 4 College Street (cnr William Street), Sydney
When: 6am to 8pm daily
Cost: $8.30 adults $6.20 kids

Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre

If you are looking for a water play area in winter, fear not Splasher’s Playground inside the Sydney Olympic Park is open year round and when the weather it anything but just right, this heated indoor pool is the perfect place to wear the kids out.

There is also a water slide for older children in the 50m pool.

Who is this park best for? This is definitely one for the younger members of the family, preschoolers and perhaps kids up to 5 or 6 years will love the water play area. Primary aged kids will have fun on the slide.

Where: Olympic Boulevard Sydney Olympic Park
When: Daily: 10am – 7pm
Cost: $8.70 for adults and $6.60 for kids 4 hour free parking is available in P2

Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre

This centre, built for the 2000 Olympics hosted the women’s water polo semi final. This pool is a great year round option with three indoor pools and a water slide. However, my favourite thing about the Ryde Aquatic Centre is the rapid river, a two speed lazy river where the water snakes around.

There is also a very cute rubber ducky fountain, a 56m high giant slide, two whirlpools and a wave pool. During school holidays, they also offer inflatable slides which are hugely popular.

Where: 504 Victoria Road, Ryde
When: Hours vary but generally from 6.45am-5.45pm (later some days) The water slide and wave pool are only open on weekends and in school holidays or public holidays Confirm here
Cost: $9.20 Adults, $7.10 kids

Hornsby Aquatic and Leisure Centre

The children’s leisure pool at Hornsby Aquatic Centre has a zero depth entry, which makes it easy for toddlers to play at the water’s edge. There are water jets, an umbrella fountain and a 2 metre enclosed slide perfect for adventurous young kids.

Accessibility: There is an adult change room with an adjustable change table. A pool hoist is available but best to call and make sure it’s set up before you arrive.

Where: 203 Peats Ferry Rd, Hornsby
When: Open from 5.30am weekdays and 7am on weekends. Closing times vary between 6.45pm and 7.45pm
Cost: $9 adults $6.50 kids

Fairfield City Leisure Centre

By the council that gave us Aquatopia the water park at this swimming centre is a perfect choice for young kids.

There are three slides, water cannons and fountains however the most popular feature is the giant tip bucket.

Where: 44 Vine St, Fairfield
When: Aqua Play Area Mon-Fri: 3.30pm – 6.30pm, Sch. Holiday weekdays: 10am – 6pm Weekends: 10am – 5pm
Cost: $9 for adults; $6 for kids 5yrs+

Sutherland Shire Leisure Centre and Water Park

The Sutherland Leisure Centre has both an indoor water play area open year round and an outdoor water park open in season.

With water slides, plenty of water jets raining water down on the kids and a mega soaker tip bucket this is a popular place in summer!

Where: 1 Rawson Ave, Sutherland
When: The water play area is open October to April: with two sessions on weekdays (10am-Noon or 3pm-6pm). Weekends it is open from 10am-6pm.
Cost: $9.10 for adults and $7.10 for kids over 3 years.

Public Parks with free water play areas for kids

So if you are trying to find something to do in Sydney with kids that won’t break the budget read on…. There are some amazing free water parks in Sydney, so let’s go find one close to you!

Some of my family’s favourite water playground areas are the free water parks found across the city and suburbs.

Here are just a few of the best options we have discovered. The first few on our list are great choices for visitors to Sydney who are staying in the CBD or inner suburbs.

Darling Harbour (Tumbalong Park) Children’s Playground

The ever popular Darling Quarter Childrens Playground, officially Tumbalong Park playground is well known for its fun water play area.

There are water fountains perfect for running under in a couple of spots between Darling Square and Darling Quarter. However, the main water feature is in the playground.

Perfect for little engineers, the Darling Quarter Water Works features several water pumps, water scoopers and screws including an Archimedes water screw surrounded by water gates, dams and water wheels where children can watch the water work its way around the playground. Twist a screw, drop a gate and the water changes direction, providing a fun science lesson.

Check out our guide of where to eat in Darling Harbour when hunger strikes

Where: Harbour Street, Darling Quarter
When: Always!
Cost: Free

Ian Potter Wild Play Garden

This children’s playground in Centennial Park, of the most famous parks in Sydney, is hidden away so you can almost miss it if you don’t know it’s there but is plenty to keep the kids busy here including a fun

With plenty of shade over much of the playground, it’s great for hot days. There is multi age play equipment adds plenty to provide a fun weekend for families.

Where: Off Grand Dr, Centennial Park – check the map
When: 10am – 5pm
Cost: Free

Pirrama Park

This Pirrama Park is great for younger kids with a small water play area right by the harbour. Nothing fancy here but the water fountains keep kids happy on warm summer days.
There is also a playground and large grassed area perfect for picnics.

Parents will enjoy the on site cafe. With older kids you can make this a big day out and take the Foreshore walk finishing at the park.

Where: 20 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont
When: The park is always open but the water fountains are on from 8am to 6pm every day except Tuesday.
Cost: Free

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