When the mercury rises, take your pick from the Central Highlands’ seven aquatic centres.

All aquatic centres are now open for the summer period and opening hours can be found on the Central Highlands Regional Council website.

Facilities include the $14.7 million Blackwater Aquatic Centre which was completed in 2017, as well as three other centres with Olympic-sized pools.

Emerald Aquatic Centre’s waterslides and its splash pad, which features a tipping bucket, are firm favourites among pool goers.

‘Visitors from all over Australia comment on how great the complex looks and how the spectacular the facility is and how lucky our community is to have it,’ Emerald Aquatic Centre Co-Lessee Tracy Spreadborough says.

Capella Aquatic Centre lease holder Cassee Evans says the centre has something for everyone – even if they don’t enjoy the water – with a water slide, free barbecues, a playground, squash court and gym among the facilities. 

‘I love meeting all the new people and travellers that come through this very transient town,’ she says.