Not everyone is keen to brave the wild New Zealand surf or dip more than their toes into icy streams and lakes. Some prefer the balmy temperatures and attributes of a pool. Wendy Montrose shares a few recommendations worth factoring into your summer travel plans.
Not all pools are created equal but there are some truly sublime offerings dotted around the country. Pop in for a quick refresh during your journey or relax and spend the day for a fuller experience.
1. Maurie Kjar Aquatic Centre Kawerau, Eastern Bay of Plenty
I know this pool well, having spent most of my childhood summers cooling down in the deep end. One of the town’s founders, Maurie Kjar and a band of dedicated workers were responsible for construction of the Kawerau Swimming Baths in the 1950s. These days the pools, a 25-metre lap pool, kids pools and an 8×10-metre spa pool, all have some shade and the chill is taken off with geothermal steam heating. Open all year except on Christmas Day, entry is free. Better still, responsible freedom camping is permitted in the car park and right next door at Prideaux Park.
2. Parnell Baths, Auckland
Since 1914, Parnell Baths has welcomed millions of visitors to enjoy the water while overlooking coastal Tāmaki Drive and Rangitoto Island. Today, throw in a view of the Sky Tower and you have one of the most picturesque places to cool down in the country. Less than $8 gives you access to a 60-meter saltwater pool, the largest of its kind in New Zealand, alongside spa pools, an interactive aqua playground and a heated lido pool. Perfect for competitive and leisure swimmers alike, there is an on-site cafe and it’s a short 13-minute drive from Touchwood Camp in Remuera.
3. St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool, Dunedin
For sheer drama, you can’t go past Dunedin’s St. Clair Hot Salt Water Pool. Located right on the beachfront at the southern end of St Clair beach, with waves crashing on the rocks mere inches away, you’ll feel like you’re in the surf but enjoy languishing in a pool that is heated to a tropical 28 degrees Celsius. Open since the 1800s, the complex includes a toddler’s paddle pool and a cafe, the Perc St Clair, with the best view in town. Just a 5-minute drive or 30-minute walk if you’re staying at the Dunedin Holiday Park.
4. Splash Palace, The Southland Aquatic Centre, Invercargill
Set the daredevil inside you free on the water slides at Splash Palace. With three to choose from, The Reactor, Fast Water and The Southern Twirl, there’s something for everyone. Located at 58 Elles Road, Georgetown, the site boasts a 50-metre, 8-lane sports pool, a leisure pool, spray fountains, and a wave pool. There are also tots’ and learners’ pools, a spa pool, an adults-only sauna and a cafe, all indoors and all reasonably priced. Within walking distance of Invercargill’s central business district and the Central City Camping Park.
5. Mount Hot Pools, Mount Maunganui
Located in the shadow of Mauao, Mount Maunganui is the only hot ocean water complex in the world. In the 1950s, a water diviner setting out to find fresh water for the growing local population found hot salt water instead, leading to the opening of one of the town’s greatest assets. With a range of pools and private spas right next to the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park, there’s no better place to relax after a day at the beach. Don’t miss the Golden Hour for over 65s, Wednesdays between 12 and 2pm, when you can swim for just $4.
6. Ocean Spa, Napier
Open every day except Christmas Day, Napier’s Ocean Spa is a complete aquatic experience. Located at 42 Marine Parade, there are heated pools and spas, an unheated active pool, a sauna and steam room and a fully equipped gym, all with panoramic ocean views. Throw in the Bach Café for superb coffee and delicious food and you can spend the whole day. Open early morning until 9.30pm, adult entry costs $20. The pools are only a seven-minute drive from Kennedy Park Resort.
7. Jellie Park Recreation Centre, Christchurch
With indoor and outdoor pools and hydro slides, this is the place to unleash your inner child this Canterbury summer. Challenge the family to a manu competition in the outdoor dive well or have a water fight at the aqua play area before relaxing for a picnic in the sun. Open year-round since 1964, the complex needed significant repairs after the 2011 earthquake but now features a fully equipped gym, two speed chutes and a twister hydro slide, a sauna and steam room and two springboards at the three-meter-deep dive pool. Located at 295 Ilam Road, Burnside, an adult single pool entry costs $6.70.
8. Khandallah Pool, Wellington
When Khandallah’s summer pool has closed for the season, they open for dog owners to take their precious pooch for a dip and practice their doggie paddle. They’re not allowed in over summer, though, but it’s the perfect spot for humans to escape from the heat. At 45 Woodmancote Road, Khandallah, the 30-metre unheated outdoor pool is set in 60 hectares of beautiful native bush. There’s also a toddler’s pool, a playground, walking tracks and an outside barbecue area with seating. Entry for adults is a very reasonable $3.30.
