Where to cool down in Ipswich these school holidays

Ipswich families will have more time to splash about these school holidays, after Ipswich City Council extended summer opening hours at the city’s popular Orion Lagoon.

Condensed winter opening hours were due to start at Orion Lagoon on 1 April, but council has now extended the lagoon’s summer opening hours of 5am to 9pm until 18 April to give the community full access over the upcoming school holidays.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the revised swimming hours are one way that council is adapting local facilities to align with the community’s needs.

“This council knows how much our local families love spending time at the Orion Lagoon which is why we will continue to operate on extended summer hours over the Easter school holidays,” Mayor Harding said.

With plenty of great facilities including barbecues, picnic tables and shelters, open fields and play equipment, a trip to the Orion Lagoon is much more than just a swim these days.

Pack a picnic or barbecue lunch with your towel and togs and enjoy a great family fun day these school holidays.

Lifeguards will be on duty every day, but parents are reminded that children under 13 years must be actively supervised by an adult at all times.

“We encourage visitors to observe COVID safe practices and be mindful of children’s welfare,” Mayor Harding said.

“Our community has done a fantastic job on pool safety to date this season.”

The Orion Lagoon will start winter hours from 19 April, operating between 7am and 5pm every day.

“One of the treats of the cooler months in Ipswich is continued access to our city’s public swimming pools,” Mayor Harding said.

“With heated water and smaller crowds than in the height of summer, families can spend an hour or a day at Orion Lagoon all year round.”

Find out more about Ipswich’s public pools on council’s website.