Free (and cheap) sports facilities around Brisbane

Free: Basketball courts

Looking for somewhere to work on your hook shot? Or just want to shoot some hoops with friends? Musgrave Park in West End has a half court where you can play a friendly game of 3-on-3. You’ll also find a half court at Paradise Park in West End. For a full court, check out University of Queensland’s outdoor basketball courts at the UQ Sports Centre at St Lucia.

Free: Football Grounds

No matter what shape your football is, you’re welcome to kick it around on one of Brisbane’s free football fields. You’ll find what you’re looking for at Musgrave Park, the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens and at New Farm Park.

Free: Table Tennis

If you’re up for a ping pong tournament you can find facilities for that too. There’s a public table tennis table for use at the West End ferry terminal, you just need to take your own bats and balls. There are also free table tennis tables to use across the Student One residences.

Cheap: Swimming Pools

Swimming is an enticing pastime if you’re living in Queensland. Rainy days are rare and when the sun is shining, things can get steamy. So there’s no better place to be than submerged in the city’s cool pools.

Keen to do some laps? Hit up the Valley Pool. Situated in Fortitude Valley, Valley Pool offers swimming lessons for adults, squad swimming and stroke development, and is also an event pool for water polo and underwater hockey. If you’d prefer to swim solo, that’s fine too. Students can swim here for less than $5.

QUT Gardens Point campus also has a 50-metre public swimming pool in the YMCA Fitness and Aquatic Centre. A casual session for a swim here will set you back $5.

Another place for a wet sweat session is the Spring Hill Baths. This heritage-listed enclosed swimming pool was Brisbane’s first in-ground pool. Unlike the others, it’s only 25 yards (23.43m). Entry cost less than $5.

Finally, Musgrave Park Pool in South Brisbane has an outdoor pool, kiosk and lifeguards. Entry is just $4 for students.

Free: Swimming Pools

All Student One residents (including Adelaide Street, Wharf Street and Elizabeth Street) can enjoy free access to the Student One Wharf Street pool on Level 4.

Free: Cricket

Playing a bit of outdoor cricket in the park is a favourite pastime for locals and visitors alike. Luckily, it’s easy to pull up a stump (or pitch a wicket) in the park. We’d suggest taking your cricket set down to Captain Burke Park at Kangaroo Point, the City Botanic Gardens, New Farm Park, or Musgrave Park in West End.

Cheap: Tennis

Consider yourself a future Federer? Or just want to work on your backhand? Get your tennis fix at these public courts across Brisbane.

New Farm Park Tennis Courts offer a number of courts for public use. The fees before 5pm are $18, split between four people that is just $4.50 each.
The UQ Sports Centre at St Lucia has another 21 tennis courts available to its members. Membership starts at $15 a week for UQ students and $24.50 for the public for full access to the courts. This is a good option if you’re really keen to shape up your tennis skills.

For a more casual option, Musgrave Park (next to the Musgrave Park Pool) has tennis courts available to the public on weekends and school holidays only. Bookings are essential.

Free: Student One Gym and training

Wanting to pump some iron? If you’re a Student One resident, you have free and unlimited access to a gym in your residence. Talk about a win. The resident life calendar also includes free fitness activities that you can join free of charge.