Parnell Baths

Great affordable summer attraction. Saltwater pools which are great, kids area is fun and safe, big pool provided lots of activity for older kids. Loved that you could bring your own lunch in as well, perfect day out. Parking is a premium so get there early.
A must go place!

There is something about saltwater that is far better than a purely chlorinated pool. I am usually reluctant to visit public swimming pools, but the heat this summer got the better of me and meaning that I succumbed and visited many times.
The reconstruction of the waterfront overbridge proving to be a slight pain in the ass, particularly with the limited parking on the Judges Bay side of the reserve.
The pools are well-​priced, under $ 10, only varying whether you are a child or student or not. There is a good range of pools, from lap pools, a spa, slightly warmer pool, a children’s area and a general mucking around area in the same pool as the lap pool.

Parnell Baths are not only great for families but great for friends hanging out on the weekend too. My friends and I met at the baths early afternoon, then took our prepared picnic and sat at Judge’s Bay. It’s great value for money and accessible for everyone to get too. It can get quite busy and noisy during the weekend, if you’re looking for a bit of peace and want to lounge around I’d suggest going either first thing or late afternoon. Make a day of it by strolling in the beautiful rose gardens after.

Something always grates me about paying to go to a pool — especially one where the ocean is, quite literally, over the road. However, once you get into Parnell Pools, the dollars are forgotten as you sink into the «adults only» spa. Or try to do some mangeres into the main pool, studiously ignoring the «no bombs» sign. What’s with that anyway? Even airports don’t need a sign !
The water here is often at just the right temperature — and you can check what temperature the pool actually is, as they conveniently list all the different pools heat rating. However, the water can also be very very salty — sometimes it seems saltier then the ocean itself.
My favorite bit about Parnell Baths are the loungers that circle the pool, as you lie back in them and gaze at the 60’s art deco artwork, you could fool yourself into thinking you are somewhere in France — except for the fact smoking is banned.
There is a café with the usual chips and hot dogs, as well as some tepid coffee. I can’t say I recommend it, but if you are spending a day here it could come in handy.

The only thing better than swimming in an outdoor pool is owning your own outdoor pool, and seeing as I am not in the fortunate position to do the latter, finding places to submerge my weary body has been my Summer goal.
The Parnell baths are a good option. The main pool is huge. The kids pool is full of, well, kids, which can be off-​putting and annoying, but hey, there’s an adult only spa which makes up for it. On a sunny day, this place is mint. You can do a bit of sunbathing, pack a picnic (and sunscreen! Minimum shade alert!), make a day of it.
The water is salty which is cool with me. The only thing is, sometimes it is packed out there. Like, seriously packed out. If you’re wanting to do laps, definitely avoid those before and after work times and sunny weekend days.

Parnell was until very recently (and a move across town) my local pool for swimming laps/​floating about on lazy days. Being designed originally as a pool for training competitive swimmers, it still fulfills this function admirably well. The peak lane use time seems to be from about 6.30am to 8am, and then after work. If you can go between these times on weekdays you’re likely to have a lane more or less to yourself. Beware on weekends that the leisure swimmers start turning up early so you’ll need to get your laps in early if you don’t want to have to dodge people splashing about all the time! (Not that there’s anything wrong with splashing about, it’s just a bit tricky if you’re trying to get in 20 x lengths of breaststroke.)
The salt water is so much more pleasant to swim in than chlorine, and the 60metre length mean you can fool yourself into doing a bit more than in a 50metre pool. If you’d like to take a dip in the spa after you train, there’s usually a friendly local swimmer to have a chat with. The changing rooms are very basic but generally clean.

There’s something very retro-​cool about Parnell Baths. I think it’s the fact that it’s been there so long. There have been pools on the site since the 1880s but the last renovation reflects its heydey as a 1930s Lido.
The toddler pool is awesome; massive with an interactive playground and a family spa (there is an adults only spa too). The main pool is huge and provides more than enough space for serious swimmers and serious frolickers (that would be me) alike.
All the pools are salt water which I personally find much more pleasant and given that you can see the sea across Tamaki Drive, it adds to the holiday feeling Parnell Baths seems to always have in the summer. There is a grassed area at one end with picnic tables and a BBQ area, both of which can be booked for groups.
It is a good idea to have a strategy because if you’re not in the shade here, you will almost definitely melt after not very long at all. There are sun loungers down the side for the hardy leathery brigade but either bring your own shade or be on alert for people leaving and vacating the shady spots. It can be a bit of a bun fight in that respect so don’t forget to bring your manners. Really Aucklanders, it’s ok to talk to each other. I recently spent a lovely afternoon here with a friend from Dunedin who befriended a lovely multi-​generational family and said of course they could share our table, setting an example to all the other folk with their grumpy faces on.
We took a picnic lunch and kicked back, the kids hopping in and out of the pools for hours on end. There’s a shop that sells some surprisingly healthy and yummy looking lunch options and we ladies enjoyed a mid-​afternoon frappé which totally hit the spot.
This particular day was so busy that by the end of it the ice block freezer was almost empty. I can only hope that emergency supplies out the back!

The Parnell Baths are an affordable day activity and much fun for everyone. Pack a lunch and set up camp under one of the many umbrellas supplied, then enjoy a day relaxing in the heat. Alternatively there is also a café at the baths with a wide range of ice creams and ice blocks, sandwiches, burgers, hot chips, muffins and much more The pools are salt watered, so if you have sensitive eyes remember to pack some goggles. If you forget there is a swim shop that will be able to help you out.
The Parnell Baths are a great summer pass time and are a perfect place to meet up with friends and spend a day lazing around the pool