10 places to make a splash this summer

05/03/2024

Beat the heat, sip wine, dine – and even dance – at these cool pool and beach clubs.

Pool and beach clubs have popped up all over the country as people seek to beat the summer heat. At these 10 hot spots, you can sip wine, dine – and even dance.

1 Splash Bar at The Ville, Townsville, QLD

In Townsville, The Ville is one of a growing number of hotels offering pool day passes to non-hotel guests, providing entree to Splash Bar, an infinity-edge pool with swim-up bar and views over the Coral Sea to Magnetic Island. Weekday passes start at $55 (includes $35 food and drink credit). Alternatively, dial up the luxe level by retreating to a private cabana for a four-hour morning or afternoon session (four people; from $250 including food and drink). The toughest decisions you’ll have to make are how many buckets of prawns to order and which alcoholic slushy to sip. Open daily 9.30am until 6pm.

2 Luna10, Adelaide, SA

Perched on Level 10 of the 329-room Crowne Plaza Adelaide, Luna10 is a poolside cocktail bar and lounge with views of the city skyline and surrounding hills. Since opening towards the end of 2020, it has become a popular city watering hole, with a 20-page bar menu spanning cocktails (including an on-tap Espresso Martini) to an impressive selection of Japanese whiskeys. An Aperol Spritz cart is also sometimes on hand. All-day classics such as club sandwiches and caesar salads are augmented by more innovative fare from Japanese-inspired Koomo restaurant from 5pm. With no cover charge or minimum spend, Luna10 attracts about 600 patrons each weekend. Open daily 11am to 11pm.

3 Pool Club, Sydney, NSW

Ensconced atop Justin Hemmes’ Ivy precinct, the Pool Club offers a getaway in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. Peach-coloured pool furniture, terracotta potted citrus and a Lego-brick-shaped body of water tailor-made for lazy lap swimming bring to mind the Italian Riviera. A similar influence is reflected in the Pool Club menu, which spans antipasto (think Sicilian olives or rockmelon with prosciutto) to pizzas. The Disco Sour cocktail (pisco, pineapple, lime and egg whites) captures the venue’s party ethos. Walk-ins are welcome or you can make a poolside reservation online. There is no cover charge but no-shows are billed $50 a person. Open Monday to Saturday (12pm til late) or Sunday (1pm to 9pm).

4 The Beach Club, St Kilda West, Victoria

Getting into the summer swing of things can be as simple as pulling up a patch of sand at The Beach Club at St Kilda West. Part of the West Beach Pavilion, which was built for bathers in 1928 and restored seven years ago, The Beach Club is known for its laidback vibe and sunset views. It offers casual on-sand seating, with some walk-in spaces available. Sun lounges are free on weekdays but on weekends you’ll pay $60 for a four-hour afternoon or evening stay. This includes a jug of homemade sangria. Cabanas (from $80; 10 people) and a party lounge (from $500; 50 people) can also be booked, with some alcoholic drinks included. Open daily from October to April.

5 Infinity, Darwin, NT

They do things on a larger-than-life scale in the Territory and Infinity, part of Darwin’s Mindil Beach Casino Resort, is no exception. Consisting of both an infinity-edged pool and a sprawling lagoon that happens to be the city’s largest, Infinity offers views over the Arafura Sea. While you don’t need to be an in-house guest to join the party, some of the resort’s lagoon rooms and suites offer direct pool access from private decks. Cocktail jugs cater to those who are into mojitos, margaritas or sangria. Hungry guests can choose from a selection of burgers and other tasty bites. Open weekends 12pm-8pm.

6 La Luna Beach Club, Main Beach, QLD

Set amid the gleaming superyachts and sailboats of 76-berth Marina Mirage, newly opened upmarket La Luna Beach Club is built on a floating pontoon. Launched by Gold Coast-based Gennari Group, it comprises Mediterranean-inspired restaurant MARE and the adjoining La Luna Pool, which is surrounded by rows of white sun lounges, daybeds and cabanas. Two hours on a sun lounge here costs a minimum $150 a person, which must be pre-paid upon booking and is redeemable on food and drink. The price goes up from there, with the most expensive grand cabanas available for $4500 (four hours; up to 22 people). MARE does everything from kingfish ceviche to chargrilled beef; the sunset lychee martini comes recommended. Open daily 12pm until late.

7 The Island, Sydney, NSW

With views of Sydney’s Opera House and Harbour Bridge, it’s easy to see why Kim Kardashian and Bruno Mars have partied on The Island. Australia’s first floating beach club, launched by hospitality tsars Adam Abrams and Julian Tobias 11 years ago, can be hired for private events, or guests can join public beach-club parties on weekends. Private water taxis take revellers to and from the 350sq m venue, which has its own bar and fenced-in sea pool. General entry starts at $40 a person, which covers transfers and a cocktail on arrival. Table packages (from $635; for five people), side lounges (from $1045; for six), deluxe banquettes (from $1690; for eight) or premium banquettes (from $2355; for 10) include drinks and bar snacks.

8 Cabana Pool Bar at The Marina Mindarie, Mindarie, WA

Located half an hour from the Perth CBD, the Cabana Pool Bar at The Marina Mindarie is an easy getaway. Its 9m pool heated to a refreshing 21C is complemented by a food menu featuring just-shucked oysters through to sweet treats such as white and dark chocolate churros. The three-page drinks list offers a respectable mix of beer, wine and cocktails. Tables and poolside daybeds can be booked for no charge, except in the case of no-shows ($20). There are also four cabanas accommodating up to 10 people each ($300 for three hours; includes a bottle of bubbles, a chef’s selection platter and a $150 bar tab redeemable on food or drink). Open Fridays from 4pm; weekends from 11am.

9 The Moseley Beach Club, Glenelg, SA

White sand, nautical striped beach umbrellas, sun lounges and a jetty stretching into the sea. It’s the postcard view of any Grecian beach – except this one’s on the foreshore at Glenelg. The Moseley Beach Club, an annual pop-up, opened on the first weekend in December, just as Adelaide temperatures hit the balmy thirties. Entry is free, but many guests book a pair of sun lounges ($100; for two to four people), a day bed ($200, two to four people), or a booth ($350, for six to 12). Deposits are redeemable on food and drinks. The menu spans pickled octopus with cauliflower skordalia to crowd-pleasing cheeseburgers. Signature cocktails are served in pineapples or coconuts. Open daily 11am until late, to April 2.

10 Cali Beach, Surfers Paradise, QLD

The Gold Coast has 70km of sandy coastline, but if you prefer to work on your tan with a cool drink in hand and live music in earshot, there’s always Cali Beach. Spread across 5000sq m at Surfers Paradise, this $10m rooftop playground includes a trio of pools in the main area, a separate plunge pool, two restaurants (including the Japanese-influenced Sake Sisters), four bars, a volleyball court and an outdoor cinema. Admission is free but for guaranteed seating you’ll need to hire a daybed (from $500; up to six people), booth ($1250; up to eight) or cabana (from $4500; up to 25). Booth and cabana prices include some food and drink. Open Friday to Sunday, 11am until late.

Article Source: The Australian
Explore the property: Marina Mirage