Cockburn ARC in Cockburn Central is a huge all‑in‑one family destination, combining a state‑of‑the‑art aquatic centre, a six‑court indoor stadium and a massive gym under one roof. It’s owned and run by the City of Cockburn and remains one of Perth’s most impressive community recreation facilities. As well as being home to thousands of local families, the centre was purpose‑built as the elite training base for the Fremantle Dockers, giving it a real “big stadium” feel even when you’re just there for a casual swim with the kids.
The aquatic facilities are the main reason many families visit, and there is genuinely something for every age and stage. Inside you’ll find a dedicated leisure pool with a colourful water Playground, shallow areas perfect for toddlers and younger children to splash safely, plus a 15m leisure pool space for more confident little swimmers.
For lap swimmers, there is an indoor 25m eight‑lane pool which is used heavily for Swim ARCademy lessons and public lap swimming. There is also a warm water / hydrotherapy pool, popular for gentle exercise, rehabilitation and baby swim sessions. All the pools have ramp entries as well as stairs or ladders, making access much easier for prams, wheelchairs and anyone who prefers not to use steps.
Outdoors, Cockburn ARC boasts a 50m Olympic‑size pool, which can be configured with a movable swim wall to offer both 50m and 25m lap options at different times of the day. This area is popular with serious swimmers, squad training and families who enjoy outdoor laps in summer.
During school holidays and some weekends, the outdoor pool is often transformed with large inflatable obstacle course. These sessions turn the pool into a fun, high-energy challenge where confident swimmers can climb, balance and race across the water — a huge hit with older kids and teens. Inflatable sessions are seasonal and weather-dependent, so it’s always best to check the timetable before visiting.
The centre also has a reputation for its trio of “world‑class” waterslides for bigger kids, tweens and teens. These operate in set sessions and are an exciting alternative to heading to a full water park, especially on cooler days. At the time of writing the official site notes that the waterslides are temporarily closed until further notice, so it’s best to check the current status online before promising the kids a slide day.
Beyond casual swimming, Cockburn ARC runs an extensive Swim ARCademy program for children, from water confidence through to stroke development, as well as school holiday swim clinics to boost skills between terms. The centre is also a Watch Around Water facility, with clear guidelines in place to keep kids safe – for example, younger children must be actively supervised and within arm’s reach of an adult at all times in the water.
Upstairs, the health and fitness offering is impressive. The gym has been expanded to a 1500sqm health club with the latest cardio and strength equipment, pin‑loaded machines and plenty of free weights. There are three group fitness studios hosting a wide range of classes from high‑intensity workouts to yoga and Reformer Pilates, as well as cycle classes in the dedicated RPM room with both live instructors and virtual spin sessions. Parents can take advantage of the crèche while they enjoy a class or workout, and older teens can usually access the gym and classes under certain age conditions with appropriate memberships.
For families with little ones, Cockburn ARC’s crèche is a big drawcard. The crèche space is large, bright and well equipped with toys, books, and activities to keep babies and young children happily occupied while parents work out, swim or grab a class. It operates during weekday mornings (check the latest session times and age limits before you go), and sessions are very affordable compared with private care.
Parents can also make use of the centre’s Bandicoots play centre – an indoor mini play facility especially for children 8 years and under. Bandicoots is open for set hours each day and can be used casually or as part of a birthday party booking, which makes it great for a playdate before or after a swim.
On the ground level you’ll find Cockburn ARC’s six‑court indoor stadium. This space hosts social sports competitions, junior competitions and casual shooting sessions across sports such as basketball and netball, with some pickleball options as well. Families can pay for casual shooting during set time slots if kids just want to shoot hoops, or sign up for organised junior programs and clinics. The stadium courts are modern, well lit and have plenty of spectator seating, making it a comfortable place to watch weekend sport.
When you need a break, there is a café located near the main entrance with views toward the pool areas. It’s handy for coffee and snacks while the kids swim, and it’s easily accessible from both the reception area and the splash pool side. The centre also participates in a Zero Waste Refill Station program, where visitors can refill household products like shampoos, detergents and body wash, earning rewards via the Monyx app – a nice bonus for environmentally conscious families looking to reduce plastic waste while they’re already at the ARC.
Practicalities are well thought out at Cockburn ARC. The changerooms are large, modern and family‑friendly, with accessible facilities. The whole complex has been designed with prams and wheelchairs in mind, with wide corridors, lifts and ramp access around the centre and in the aquatic areas. There is ample parking outside, and the venue is close to public transport at Cockburn Central. Entry prices are clearly listed on the Cockburn ARC website, with separate fees for pool entry, stadium casual use and full centre access. Family passes, child and concession prices, and crèche fees are all detailed online so you can budget your visit before you go.
Throughout the year, Cockburn ARC runs “What’s On” programs including the full‑day Kids Get Active school holiday program, Zumba Kids, PlayActive sessions for little ones, as well as an annual open day event showcasing everything the centre offers. It’s worth keeping an eye on their “School holidays” and “What’s on today” sections if you’re planning a holiday activity schedule or looking for something extra for the kids to do.
For a full family day out, regular swim lessons, birthday parties, school holiday care or simply a quick workout while the kids play, Cockburn ARC remains one of Perth’s best multi‑purpose recreation hubs. Just remember to check the latest alerts for any changes to waterslide or water play availability before you visit.
Cockburn ARC
Address: Cockburn Aquatic & Recreation Centre, 31 Veterans Parade, Cockburn Central, WA 6164
Opening hours:
General entry and aquatics: 5:30am – 8:30pm (daily hours vary – check website for full current timetable)
Bandicoots play centre: Typically 9:00am – 1:00pm (select days)
Gym (staffed hours): 5:00am – 9:00pm
Stadium, crèche and café have varying hours – please refer to the full opening hours online.
Official website: https://www.cockburnarc.com.au
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Jacqui is a busy mum to 4 kids who is currently working at Armadale Fitness & Aquatic Centre managing the aquatic programs.
In her free time, Jacqui enjoys getting out & about with her family checking out new places and spending time at Coogee Beach as a volunteer surf lifesaver.
You can follow Jacqui on Facebook and Instagram as Perth Tweens.
