Water Parks in Sydney: A Local’s Guide to Parks, Pools & Splash Playgrounds

When it comes to water parks, Sydney has plenty to offer, from big theme park–style days at places like Raging Waters to local council pools and free water play areas 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 across parks, pools and splash playgrounds.

This article contains affiliate links. Our full disclosure policy is here.

Quick picks: best water parks and water play in Sydney

Best Water Parks in Sydney for Families

These are the main water parks in and around Sydney where you can spend most of the day: big slides, lazy rivers, kids’ zones and plenty of shade.

Raging Waters – Big Water Park with Thrill Slides

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.

Where: 427 Reservoir Rd, Prospect
When: 10am-5pm weekends – and school holidays
Cost: $55-$79 single day, $99 season pass Tickets are significantly cheaper online.

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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fairfield City Council (@discoverfairfield)

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? Mixed‑age families looking for a smaller, more affordable water park with decent slides and a wave pool in western Sydney.

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

Water Parks Near Sydney (Day Trips)

These water parks sit outside Sydney but are easy day trips by car, and they’re worth the drive if you want a bigger day out than your local pool or water play area

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 barbecues, 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: Best for strong swimmers aged around 7+ and active teens who like inflatable obstacle courses and don’t mind deep water.

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: Older kids, teens and adults who want a full day of slides and rides, plus families happy to make a south coast day trip.

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.

Fun Swimming Pool and Aquatic Centres in Sydney

If you are looking for an indoor water park experience in Sydney, these aquatic centres have heated pools, small waterslides and shallow play areas for younger kids

Many councils offer great water play areas as part of their aquatic centres, with reasonable entry prices for families and usually free parking. We’ll highlight our favourites, but it’s worth checking your local pool before you get in the car – there might be a fun water play area 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? Families with younger kids who like water play areas, and parents who appreciate modern facilities, a crèche and year‑round swimming.

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.

Who is this best for? Families with younger children staying near the city who want an easy indoor swim and play option close to the CBD.

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

If you are looking for a water play area year round, fear not Splasher’s Playground inside the Sydney Olympic Park is open right through winter 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? Preschoolers and early primary‑aged kids who love water playgrounds and a small slide, especially in cooler or wet weather.

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.

Who is this best for? Families with school‑aged kids who enjoy slides, wave pools and a lazy‑river style rapid river, plus locals wanting a year‑round indoor option.

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.

Who is this best for? Toddlers and younger children who need shallow water, gentle fountains and smaller slides, with good accessibility for carers.

Where: 203 Peats Ferry Rd, Hornsby
When: Open 5.30am weekdays and 7am on weekends. Closing 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.

Who is this best for? Younger kids who love simple slides and a big tipping bucket, and local families looking for an easy, budget‑friendly outing.

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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sutherland Shire, Sydney (@visitsutherlandshire)

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!

Who is this best for? Families in the Shire who want both indoor water play year‑round and a busier outdoor water park feel 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.

Got a question? Head over to our Sydney Expert Facebook Group and ask a local.

Free Water Play Parks and Splash Playgrounds in Sydney

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.

The ever popular Darling Quarter Children’s 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.

Who is this best for? Toddlers through primary‑aged kids, and visitors staying in or near the CBD who want a free, central water play stop between sights.

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

Where: Harbour Street, Darling Quarter
When: Always l 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.

Who is this best for? Families who like nature‑style play with some water fun, and locals or visitors spending a few hours in Centennial Parklands.

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.

Who is this best for? Younger kids who enjoy a small water play area and playground, and families wanting a harbourside picnic spot close to the city.

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