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Sun, 25 Feb 2024,
posted by City of Sydney
The trans and gender diverse communities including partners, families, friends and allies are invited to join us at this family friendly, all ages, alcohol-free ticketed event at Cook + Phillip Park Pool.
The pool and its amenities will be reserved for the trans and gender diverse communities and their supporters for the duration of this event.
- Date: Sunday 31 March
- Time: 4:00pm to 8:00pm
- Location: Cook + Phillip Park Pool
This a free event, pre-registration is essential. RSVP now.
What's On
There’ll be a range of activities available and taking place during the event.
- Bubble Artist (4pm - 4:30pm)
Local drag artist Joyce Mange welcomes children and families with her captivating bubble machine spectacle.
- Aquarobics (4pm - 6pm)
Parents and adult family members are encouraged to participate in special aquarobics sessions held in the 50m pool.
- Aqua Play (4pm - 8pm)
Dive into fun with a sea of flamingo and unicorn inflatables in the wave pool.
- Water Orbs (6pm - 8pm)
Patrons will be captivated by the mesmerising 'water orbs', featuring contortion artists gracefully gliding across the pool.
- Chill out zone
Access to the 'chill out zone' for a peaceful retreat from the energetic ambiance.
Centre information
The centre and pools are wheelchair accessible, however, please let us know if you have additional access needs to consider.
This event will feature sounds and music and at times the space may become noisy with background noise. There may also be smells that you could be sensitive to including pool chemicals and the centre also enjoys strong natural light which could trigger light sensitivity. For people who may find this overstimulating, there will be a chill out zone with low light and noise where people can retreat and connect.
Don't forget your sunscreen and remember to practice sun safety. To help the City reach its sustainability goals, we ask that participants bring their reusable drink bottles from home or be willing to use the recyclable options provided throughout the day to minimise waste.
Is this activation exclusively for trans and gender diverse people, or can trans and gender diverse people bring their friends, partners and/or family?
Partners, family, and friends are more than welcome to attend if invited by an attending member of the trans and gender diverse community. This activation has been organised for enjoyment with those close to you and who support you, whether they are your biological or chosen family and allies. Since this is a ticketed activation, invited partners, family, and friends should be added to your ticket as attendees.
Will there be other general members of the public attending the activation?
No, the general public will not be present at this activation and the centre will be closed prior to the activation commencing. The activation is only open only trans and gender diverse people and their invited friends, family and partners who will be permitted to enter the centre after 4pm with a valid ticket.
Is this activation open to other members of the LGBIQA+ community who identify as allies of trans and gender diverse people?
Yes, this activation is open to members of LGBIQA+ community who have been invited by attending members of the trans and gender diverse community as partners, family or friends.
I don’t identify as a member of the trans or gender diverse community and would not be attending as an invited friend, partner or family member. Can I still attend?
As this is a ticketed activation, we would ask that you instead use this as an opportunity to enjoy one of our other aquatic and leisure centres located throughout the city.
I normally use the centre during this time, if I am unable to attend this activation, what options are available to me?
In the city we are lucky enough to have 6 aquatic and leisure centres for our community to enjoy. In this instance, we would ask you to take this opportunity to check out another one of these amazing alternative centres.
The closest alternative centres are Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre in Ultimo, Andrew Boy (Charlton) Pool at The Domain and Prince Alfred Park Pool in Surry Hills.
Is there a dress-code?
Wear swimwear that makes you feel safe and comfortable. If swimming, choose from the standard swimwear options of your preference (including one or two-piece bathers, boardshorts, rash shirts etc.). Clothes can not be worn in the pool as they are not designed as safe swimming attire.
If you’re using the gym, you’ll need gym wear of your preference, a water bottle and towel along with safe enclosed shoes. Please note that jeans, work boots, thongs, sandals, slippers and open-toed shoes or high heels are not allowed in the gym.
As this event is held in a public facility, please remember to cover the same body parts you would in any public bathing situation.
Is this for any age group?
Yes, this is an-all ages activation open to families, and people of all generations. The activation will host a variety of activities suited to families with children, young people, and adults of all ages at different time.
Families with children will find activities targeted to their interests earlier in the activation from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, with young people and adults being catered for in the later part of the activation, being 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
Do I need to register or buy tickets?
Yes, this is a free ticketed activation, meaning you will need to register to attend, which can be done through
Can I buy food at the activation, or can I bring my own?
There will be light refreshments and snacks provided throughout the activation and we’re aiming to consider a broad spectrum of dietary requirements including gluten free and vegan. However, if you have specific and unique dietary needs including allergy to nuts, please consider bringing snacks and refreshments with you should the catering provided not meet those needs or should you require a substantial meal.
Unfortunately, the cafe will not be in operation during the activation. Instead, you are welcome to bring your own food and drinks to complement the catering provided or buy snacks from the onsite vending machines.
Can I bring alcohol or buy alcohol at the activation.
No, alcohol and swimming are not a good combination, drinking at or prior to attending the activation is strictly prohibited. This is an alcohol-free activation and an alcohol-free venue at all times.
You can enjoy the refreshments made available during the activation or buy non-alcoholic drinks from our vending machines onsite.
What are the plans for toilet and change room amenities at the activation?
All-gender bathrooms and change spaces will be signposted throughout the centre. Our accessible change rooms will remain available to people who need them most.
Which pools and facilities will be available?
The centre has pools for exercise, play, and learning to swim, as well as a hydro pool for relaxation and recovery. A range of activities will be planned at the activation, but there will still be plenty of opportunity to relax and enjoy the water independently. There will also be exclusive access to the gym throughout the activation.
Access to the gym and hydrotherapy pool is restricted to individuals aged 16 years and over, which also applies to participation in group fitness and aqua classes.
What classes will be available?
Aqua aerobic classes will be provided as part of the programming of the activation, however, dry group fitness classes in the gym will not be available, our aqua classes promise to provide an energizing workout.
Access to the gym and hydrotherapy pool is restricted to individuals aged 16 years and over, which also applies to participation in group fitness and aqua classes.
What about water safety during the activation?
The City of Sydney's aquatic and leisure centres are partnered with the Royal Life Saving Society’s ‘Keep Watch at Public Pools’ program to protect and safeguard children and young people so they can swim safely and to ensure that they are supervised at all times. The program relies on active supervision from all parents, guardians or supervising adults.
For more information about the program, visit Royal Life Saving Society of Australia's before visiting one of our centres to better understand your role in active supervision.
Will there be activities happening during the activation?
Absolutely yes! And hopefully something for everyone.
Aside from exclusive access to the pool and gym facilities, you will be treated to:
- Free light snacks and refreshments
- DJs
- access to a chill out space
- roaming entertainment
- games and interactive demonstrations.
- Aqua aerobics classes
Will there be a chill out space available?
Yes, there will be a chill out space available if anyone needs some time away from the activity and noise or for those who may have sensory considerations and require a space to retreat.
Is this centre accessible?
Yes, the centre was designed to make sure everyone can join in, facilities include:
- elevator between street level outside St Mary’s Cathedral to the reception/gym level and pool deck
- ramp access into the centre
- pool hoist and aqua wheelchair into the 50m pool
- ramp access and shallow decline into the hydro and leisure pools
- accessible parking (see details below).
If you have specific access needs, please advise us as part of the registration process so we can be adequately prepared on the day.
How do I get there? Is there parking?
Cook + Phillip Park pool is at 4 College Street, Sydney, on the corner of Park and College streets.
Bus routes 504 and 506 each have stops within a 5-minute walking distance from the centre.
The centre is also located a short walk from St James train station and a 15-minute walk from the Town Hall light rail stop on George Street.
If you’re traveling by vehicle, there is parking available in the Enacon carpark facility located adjacent to the centre. Discounted parking rates apply when you attend the centre. Our staff will be able to validate tickets when you exit the centre.
Who will be overseeing the activation?
Our centre manager and/or duty managers, customer service staff, health and fitness staff, swimming instructors and lifeguards will be available to you during the activation.
Our staff are trained around inclusive practices and a condition of their employment includes their ability and desire to support and include all communities in passive and active recreation. In addition, special training has been delivered by ACON for staff onsite at the activation.
To show our support, our staff (excluding lifeguards) will be wearing a special inclusive uniform at the activation. Please ask any of our team should you need any assistance or have any questions - they will be happy to help.
Will there be photography/recording for promotional purposes?
Yes, we are hoping to take some photos on an opt-in basis.
But if you attend and want to be excluded from any photography or video, please indicate this at reception when you arrive. We will provide you with a wristband to wear. By wearing this wristband, it will assist our photographer to identify your preference and ensure your identity is not captured in a distinguishable way. In addition to this, all patrons who are visibly captured in photos will be asked to complete a waiver form.
Pictures and video will be used to celebrate the activation on City of Sydney channels including newsletters, Facebook, Instagram, websites and broadly throughout marketing and communication materials.
How do I find out more information?
Please feel welcome to contact the pool operator to discuss the activation or for further information by calling 1300 198 412 or emailing Our friendly staff members will be happy to assist you.
Can people without a ticket attend the activation?
Although discouraged, patrons who arrive at the centre for the activation without a ticket can attend on the day if capacity limits of the centre allow. Upon their arrival, staff will request patrons without a ticket to register for the activation before entering. Registration can be done by the patron independently via Eventbrite and utilising their mobile device where possible.
Will there be security present at the activation?
Yes, there will be LGBTIQA+ friendly security present at the activation to ensure the safety and comfort of all participants.
Will there be capacity limits at the activation?
Yes, there will be capacity limits at the activation in line with crowd management plans and a “one in, one out” policy will be taken if capacity is reached.