Don’t you love the way we live in and around Brisbane City? There are a range of options available for all members of the family to enjoy some light exercise or a bit of relaxation time.
Of course, this can be challenging to do at home in the inner suburbs because space is at a premium. Not every house has room for a swimming pool, tennis court or gym. Then there are those who love a running track or a round of golf.
But residents in Brisbane’s inner west certainly don’t need to miss out. If you’re lucky enough to live here, there are plenty of alternatives for the whole family to enjoy.
Get active
If you don’t have the space or inclination for a pool at home, fret not. There are several alternatives where you can while away the summer poolside.
For starters there’s the Ithaca Swimming Pool on Caroline St, Paddington. This is a local institution, having opened its doors in 1916. There would be few families in the area who haven’t visited with their little ones to take a dip in its 25-metre heated inground pool. It also has space for those looking for a bit of exercise with six swimming lanes plus aquarobics classes. Its central location directly opposite Suncorp Stadium makes it easy to access too.
Speaking of Suncorp, how about dropping in to PCYC Lang Park which opened in 1949. There’s a massive range of fitness classes on offer for all ages. Options include basketball, boxing, and martial arts. This is just the place for meeting with like-minded locals so you can get fit while having fun.
Another wonderful pool option is the UQ Sport Aquatic Centre at the University of Queensland in St Lucia. This facility has both a 50-metre and a 25-metre pool with comprehensive change room facilities and a café. There’s squad training for those who want to take things a bit more seriously too. Kiddies are well catered for with an undercover wading pool as well. It’s not just for uni students and swimmers either. I’ve even seen kayak-polo players practice in the 50 metre during the off season – I kid you not!
If you love a run, there’s facilities at the university as well with a world-class running track open for users. Of course, you can always enjoy the river path as well. While you’re at the university, look to book the tennis courts and volleyball courts as well.
For those who don’t want to make the journey down Sir Fred Schonell Drive, check out the oval at Perrin Park where the Bert Sangster Green delivers a flat track that never closes. This running loop and field have plenty of cache among athletes of all disciplines.
Of course, tennis is a big hit (pun intended) among locals. In 2014 to The Roy Emerson Tennis Centre was opened at the fully refurbished Frew Park. The centre has fantastic courts available for hire as well as coaching for the more serious hitters. There’s also a terrific café and a fabulous kids’ adventure playground in the adjacent parkland.
For anyone who likes to swing a club, you can of course trek to the public 18-hole St Lucia Golf Links or members-only 36-hole Indooroopilly Golf Club.
These stunning courses are just five kilometres from the CBD.
St Lucia, in particular, is a firm favourite given it’s a public course. There are wonderful facilities on offer here, including a café, restaurant and venue hire.
Indooroopilly is a private course but for those who join, its riverfront position and rolling hills make for a stunning days play.
And for the young ones wanting to get into sport outside of school hours there are some fabulous clubs that swell with local pride too. Examples include the Wests Juniors AFL club (Go the Doggies!) at Oakman Park which is always looking for youngsters keen to have a go. Continuing the doggie theme and the Western Bulldogs Rugby Club at Memorial Park Toowong has a storied past with plenty of world champions cutting their teeth at this hallowed ground.
Yes, there’s plenty to enjoy in our prime inner west suburbs. Getting out and about and relishing the wonderful lifestyle options on hand is all part of being a local.