Manuka Pool, Canberra’s first public swimming pool opened in 1931, remains a heritage-listed Art Deco landmark & community hub. Surrounded by shady lawns, a toddler pool & upgraded facilities, it continues to offer recreation, history & summer charm for locals & visitors alike.
Manuka Pool-Canberra’s Art Deco Heart of Summer
For almost a century, Manuka Pool has been one of Canberra’s most beloved landmarks – a place where children learn to swim, families picnic under the trees, & lap swimmers glide beneath striking Art Deco arches. Officially opened on 26 January 1931, it was Canberra’s first public pool, an architectural statement of the young capital’s confidence & community spirit.
Today, the pool remains a living monument – heritage-listed, beautifully maintained & freshly upgraded for a new generation. From its striking entrance pavilion to its shady lawns & family-friendly features, Manuka Pool captures the essence of summer in the capital.
Manuka Pool at a Glance
- Location: Manuka Circle, Griffith ACT, near Manuka Oval & the Manuka shopping precinct
- Size: A 30-metre, six-lane outdoor pool surrounded by two hectares of lawns & trees
- Design: Heritage Art Deco style by government architect E. H. Henderson
- Features: Main lap pool, shaded toddlers’ pool, “SS Red Duck” pirate-ship play feature, lawns for picnics & sunbathing
- Season: Open during warmer months – typically from spring to early autumn
History of Manuka Pool-Canberra’s First Public Bathing Place
When Canberra was still taking shape in the late 1920s, residents swam in rivers or makeshift dams. To give the city a proper public facility, work began on Manuka Pool in 1930. It was built partly by Depression-era sustenance workers at a cost of around £10 000 & opened to great celebration on Australia Day 1931.
At the time, there were no other pools in the region. The pool’s sleek new pavilion stood proudly amid open paddocks, its modernist lines symbolising progress. Locals simply called it “The Swimming Pool.” For the next two decades it was the only public pool in Canberra – a central gathering place for families, school groups & budding athletes.
Old-timers recall it as the heart of social life. On summer weekends, bicycles crowded the fence, families arrived with picnic baskets, & swimmers competed in early club carnivals. In 1955, the Civic Pool opened, ending Manuka’s reign as the sole city pool, but by then it had already secured a place in local memory.
Architecture & Heritage Significance
Manuka Pool exemplifies the Federal Art Deco style that marked Canberra’s early public buildings. Architect E. H. Henderson designed it with symmetry, geometric motifs & bold horizontal lines that echoed optimism during a difficult economic period.
The entrance pavilion remains the pool’s visual anchor – cream-coloured walls, rounded edges & simple stepped forms that catch the sunlight. Inside, the original changing rooms & timber benches still reflect 1930s craftsmanship.
Because of its architectural & cultural importance, Manuka Pool is formally listed on the ACT Heritage Register. The listing recognises not only the building’s design but also its social role as a place where generations of Canberrans have gathered. Few public facilities from that era still serve their original purpose so completely.
Manuka Pool Facilities Today
Main Lap Pool
The main attraction remains the 30-metre, six-lane pool, ideal for both leisure & fitness swimming. Depths vary to suit children, lap swimmers & training groups. Lifeguards are on duty throughout the season, ensuring a safe environment for all ages.
Toddlers’ Pool & Children’s Play Area
Families love the shaded toddlers’ pool, designed for very young swimmers. The colourful “SS Red Duck” pirate ship adds a splash of fun, letting children climb, slide & splash in shallow water while parents relax under nearby sails.
Lawns & Shade
Manuka Pool is framed by expansive lawns & mature trees. Families bring rugs, sun umbrellas & coolers for full-day outings. The space feels more like a park than a pool complex – quiet corners for reading & sunny spots for soaking up warmth.
Amenities & Kiosk
Modern upgrades include fresh tiling, improved showers & toilets, accessible changerooms & baby-change tables. The on-site kiosk serves cold drinks, coffee & hot chips, continuing a decades-long tradition of post-swim snacks that every Canberra local remembers fondly.
Manuka Pool & Canberra Community Life
No story about Manuka Pool is complete without mentioning the local legends who made it their second home. Chief among them were Merv & Beth Knowles.
Merv first swam here as an eight-year-old on opening day & went on to become a champion water-polo player & lifelong supporter of the pool. Over nearly 90 years, he is said to have swum tens of thousands of laps – roughly the distance from Canberra to the Victorian coast. His passion for the sport & devotion to the community inspired many.
A plaque near the pool’s edge now honours Merv’s memory, alongside a metal ring that once held a water-polo goal. His wife Beth shared his love for the place, both remembered by locals as part of the fabric of Canberra’s story.
Beyond individual stories, Manuka Pool has long been a hub for social connection – from early swimming carnivals & school meets to lazy Sunday afternoons & community fundraisers. The Friends of Manuka Pool, a volunteer group, continues to preserve the site’s heritage, organise local events & advocate for its protection during nearby redevelopment proposals.
Recent Upgrades & Modernisation
2019 Refurbishment
In 2019, the ACT Government invested over $2 million to upgrade Manuka Pool. The work included a complete re-tiling of the pool basin, a new filtration system, refurbished seating & a fresh coat of heritage-matched paint on the main building. Original tiles that couldn’t be saved were carefully documented & displayed inside as a tribute to 1930s craftsmanship.
2025 Upgrades
Further improvements have followed in recent years to enhance comfort & sustainability. Upgrades include a high-efficiency filtration system, anti-slip flooring in changerooms, new baby-changing stations, & greener lawns through better irrigation & aeration. The kiosk has also been modernised with better ventilation & equipment to cater to busy summer crowds.
These projects ensure that while the pool retains its historic character, it meets modern expectations for safety & sustainability.
Planning Your Visit to Manuka Pool
Season & Opening Hours
Manuka Pool operates as a seasonal outdoor pool, generally from October to April, depending on weather. Weekday mornings often open early for lap swimmers, while weekends & public holidays have longer family hours. Exact schedules are published each spring on official ACT recreation channels.
Getting There
The pool is in the heart of Canberra’s inner south, walking distance from Manuka Oval & the cafés of Manuka & Kingston. Visitors can arrive by car (with on-street parking around Manuka Circle), bus via Canberra Avenue routes, or bike along local paths. During major events at Manuka Oval, arrive early to secure a spot.
What to Bring
Pack swimmers, towels, goggles & sun protection. Bring a rug or chairs for the lawns, & reusable bottles to refill at onsite taps. Families often bring picnics, though the kiosk covers essentials from coffee to ice-blocks.
Why Manuka Pool Still Matters
A Living Link to Canberra’s Early Years
Manuka Pool is not just a recreation spot – it’s a living museum. Few places allow residents to experience the city’s 1930s ambition so directly. Walking through the pavilion today feels like stepping back to the time when Canberra was a frontier town of public servants & pioneers. Every brick & bench tells a story of community effort & continuity.
Health & Wellbeing
Outdoor pools play a vital role in public health & social connection. With Canberra’s dry summers & crisp air, Manuka Pool offers an accessible space for exercise & mental wellbeing. Early-morning swimmers often speak of the calm focus & community spirit that regular laps provide.
Families too value the chance to unplug from screens & enjoy simple outdoor fun that has barely changed in 90 years.
Community & Heritage Pride
The pool’s heritage status reminds Canberrans that modern cities can grow without losing their history. The Friends of Manuka Pool & the ACT Government have shown how collaboration can preserve a site’s soul while updating its infrastructure. Each summer opening reaffirms that balance between past & present.
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