Te Hapua Halswell Summer Pool

Te Hāpua Halswell Summer Pool is the outdoor pool attached to the Halswell Centre on Halswell Road, open over the summer months. There's a seven-lane 33.3m pool for laps and swimming about, a shaded toddler pool that families rate as warm and well set up for little ones, and a hydroslide for kids over five (they need to be tall enough to use it safely).

It's a straightforward, no-fuss summer swim rather than a big water park, so don't expect play structures or splash pads. Grassy areas and shade make it easy to set up camp for a few hours, and there's a café on site for a treat afterwards. Parking is available on the street or in dedicated carparks either side of the centre, and bus route 100 stops close to the entrance.

Bookings aren't needed, you just turn up and pay at the door, and it's good value for a casual family outing. It gets busy on hot days, so if you want a quiet swim it pays to go earlier rather than mid-afternoon. Being outdoors, it's not a rainy day option, and it's closed over winter.