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 Sydney Action Park 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.

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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.

Sydney Action Park (formerly Raging Waters Sydney)

Sydney’s biggest water park has new owners and a new name. In June 2026, the family behind Jamberoo Action Park bought the Prospect site and rebranded it Sydney Action Park.

After a winter clean-up, the park is open again on weekends, running 10am to 5pm on operating days. It says it will open on more than 128 days this season, so check the open hours calendar before you go.

There’s something new on the way, too. The park is building what it calls Australia’s first mammoth-style water coaster, a ride you share in one big raft. No opening date has been announced yet.

I have not visited under the new owners, so I can’t tell you yet how the refresh has turned out. The Jamberoo family has a good name for tidy grounds and friendly staff, so there is reason to be hopeful. I’ll update this once I’ve been through the gates myself.

When: Weekends now, 10am to 5pm on operating days. Check the calendar for school holiday and summer dates.
Where: 427 Reservoir Road, Prospect, about 40 minutes west of the Sydney CBD
Cost: Online $74 for kids 4 to 12 and seniors 60+, $84 for ages 13 to 59, under 3s free. Gate prices are $10 more. Season passes from $229 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.

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 wave pool is the newest addition, and at 55 metres long it’s a big one.

It’s also a great place for a birthday party or 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.

Tickets are only sold online, not at the gate. If a date has sold out, you won’t get in, so buy before you leave home.

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 the first weekend of the September school holidays to the last weekend of the April school holidays. Open weekends and most school holiday days, 11am to 4pm (until 5pm from about late December to late January). Check the calendar on the website for exact dates.
Cost: $20 for visitors from outside Fairfield LGA and $18 for Fairfield LGA residents (ages 6+, online only). Family pass $72. Kids 0 to 2 free.

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.

New this season is Kids Cove, a separate inflatable area for 3 to 5 year olds. A parent goes in the water with them, and one adult can look after up to two kids.

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.

Everyone needs Cables grip socks on the aqua park. They’re $5 a pair, and you can reuse them on your next visit. Sessions have a capacity limit, so book ahead in school holidays.

Who: Best for strong swimmers aged around 6+ and active teens who like inflatable obstacle courses and don’t mind deep water.

Where: 405 Jamison Rd, Penrith
When: Weekends 10am–4:50pm from 17 October to 29 November 2026. Daily 10am–4:50pm from 30 November 2026 to 31 January 2027. Then weekends again until late March, and daily in the April school holidays. Closed in winter. Check the opening hours page, as public holiday hours differ.
Cost: Online, a single 50 minute session is $29, a double session $39 and a day pass $55. Prices are higher in store ($35, $46, $66). Kids Cove is $29 for one adult and one child, plus $11 for each extra child. Grip socks are $5.

Jamberoo Action Park

Jamberoo Action Park is a much loved family owned water park south of Sydney not far from Kiama. Velocity Falls, which opened for the 2023 season, is a 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. Check the open hours calendar before you go.
Cost: Online, kids and seniors $74 and adults $84. At the gate, kids and seniors $84 and adults $94. Kids under 3yrs free. Parking is free. 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.

Need an indoor water park for a rainy day? Start with Splashers at Sydney Olympic Park, which is heated and open all year. Ryde is the other good wet weather pick, with three indoor pools, though the slide and wave pool only run on weekends, school holidays and public holidays.

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 modern 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 5 years occupied while you nip off and have a swim yourself. The crèche runs Monday to Saturday, 8am to 1pm, and you need to book.

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. At the moment, the centre says the yellow slide in the indoor leisure pool is closed, so check before you promise it to the kids.

Accessibility: Opened in 2021, Gunyama ticks the boxes for accessible 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: $9.20 adults, $6 for kids aged 3 to 16, under 3s free. Family pass (2 adults, 2 kids) $22.80.”

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, the wave pool runs for 10 minutes on the hour from 1pm.

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. The leisure pool opens at 8:30am.
Cost: $9.20 adults, $6 for kids aged 3 to 16, under 3s free. Family pass (2 adults, 2 kids) $22.80.

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 is 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 indoor leisure area. Kids need to be over 120cm to ride it. On school days the slide only opens from 3pm.

Next to it is the Rapid River Ride, a circular channel with a strong current that pushes you round and round. Kids race each other. Adults tend to just float.

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: Splashers is open weekdays 9am to 12:30pm and 3pm to 7pm, and 10am to 7pm on school holiday weekdays. Weekends and public holidays, 10am to 6pm.
Cost: $10 for adults and $7.60 for kids aged 4 to 15. Under 4s free with a paying adult. Family pass $36. Validated parking is available in P2 and P3.

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 giant slide, two whirlpools and a wave pool. During school holidays, they also offer inflatable slides which are hugely popular. Kids have to pass a quick swim test before they’re allowed on the inflatable.

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: Monday to Thursday 5.30am-8.45pm, Friday 5.30am-7.45pm, Saturday 6.30am-5.45pm, Sunday 7.30am-5.45pm. The giant slide runs 10am-5pm on weekends, school holidays and public holidays. The wave pool runs 12.15pm-4.40pm on weekends, and from 10.15am in school holidays and on public holidays. The inflatable runs 10am-3pm every day in school holidays. Confirm here
Cost: $10.90 adults, $8.40 kids aged 5 to 16, 4 and under free. Family pass $35.

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. Parking on site. From mid-December, get your parking ticket validated inside to keep the free parking.
When: Open 5.30am weekdays and 7am on weekends. Closing between 6.45pm and 7.45pm
Cost: $9.80 adults, $7 kids aged 4 to 16, 3 and under free. Family pass (2 adults, 2 kids) $28.50.

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. Aquaplay is free once you’ve paid pool entry. There’s also a shaded toddler pool with splash and spray features.

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: Aquaplay runs from the September school holidays to the end of the Easter school holidays. It opens on weekends and school holiday weekdays only, 11am to 4pm. Summer holiday hours haven’t been released yet. It may close in rain or cool weather.
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. The indoor splash pool is heated to 30°C and has half a dozen water features, so it works on cold or wet days too.

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 outdoor water park is open from 26 September 2026 to 25 April 2027. Weekdays it runs 9am to noon and 2pm to 6pm. Weekends and school holidays, 9am to 6pm.
Cost: $10.20 for adults and $7.95 concession. Under 5s free. Family pass $32.50. Casual entry covers the water park and the indoor and outdoor pools.

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, one 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 there is plenty to keep the kids busy here including a fun water play area fed by filtered water, with shallows and jets.

With plenty of shade over much of the playground, it’s great for hot days. The water play area itself has no shade, so pack hats and sunscreen. The multi-age play equipment gives families plenty to do, and there’s a coffee kiosk and toilets inside the garden.

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, opposite the York Rd gates, Centennial Park. Check the map
When: 10am to 5pm daily. Closed every August for maintenance.
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. Catch the 389 bus to the end of Harris Street. There’s no ferry stop at the park.
When: The park is always open, the fountains are on from 8am-6pm every day except Tuesday.
Cost: Free