Brit Shocked by Queensland ‘Privilege’ Unseen in His Life

A Brit’s Delight: Free Public Pools and BBQs Leave Tourist Stunned in Queensland

A recent visit to Queensland’s Cairns Esplanade Lagoon has left a British traveller utterly astounded, not just by the facility’s pristine condition, but by its most remarkable feature: it’s entirely free to use. For many Australians, the availability of well-maintained public amenities like playgrounds, parks, basketball courts, picnic areas with barbecues, and even some public swimming pools, all provided and funded by local councils, is a given. However, for a first-time visitor from the UK, this concept proved to be a revelation.

Joe Leggett, who was exploring Australia for the first time with his travel companions, recounted his discovery in a video shared online. Arriving in Cairns one evening, the group decided to take a stroll to get acquainted with the area. It was during this casual walk that they stumbled upon the Esplanade Lagoon.

“And then we walked past [the Lagoon] and I was like, ‘Oh, what hotel does that pool belong to?'” Joe explained. His surprise quickly turned to disbelief upon learning that this expansive swimming pool was, in fact, open to the public at no cost.

“What do you mean there’s a swimming pool that anyone can just use? Imagine this in the UK,” Joe exclaimed in his video, the astonishment clear in his voice. “Look at it. All of this is just to use for free whenever you want. It’s crazy!”

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Joe elaborated on his bewilderment, stating he had “never” encountered a free-to-use swimming pool before. He contrasted this with the situation in his homeland, where public swimming facilities are typically located within leisure centres and require an entrance fee.

With a chuckle, Joe speculated that if such free pools existed in the UK, they might be quickly “ruined” by overuse. He also highlighted how fortunate locals must feel to have such a facility readily available. His video captured his incredulity at the idea of simply going for a walk and then deciding to take a swim, a stark contrast to his own childhood memories of after-school activities. “The school kids here finish school, and they go for a f***ing swim,” he remarked, emphasizing the difference in lifestyle.

The free swimming facility wasn’t the only public amenity that caught Joe’s attention. He was equally impressed to find nearby public barbecue stations, also available for free use. “You just bring your own food and have a barbecue,” he noted. His overall impression was so positive that he declared, “Oh, I want to move here!”

Joe’s video, which he posted across his Instagram and TikTok accounts, quickly garnered hundreds of thousands of views. Among the deluge of comments, a common theme emerged from Australian users explaining the underlying reason for the existence of such free public pools.

“Up north you need the pools… because you can’t swim in the ocean,” one user explained. This sentiment was echoed by others who pointed out the inherent dangers of swimming in the ocean in tropical Queensland.

“There’s crocodiles, jellyfish, sharks, crocodiles again,” another user helpfully added. “It’s hot as hell in North Queensland [but] you can’t swim in the ocean in summer because something will kill you – so you need the public pool.”

While the practical necessity of safe swimming alternatives was a clear driver, many commenters also used Joe’s discovery as a moment to reflect on the privileges many Australians take for granted. “People who are saying, ‘[The pool] is only there because the ocean is ‘dangerous,” are missing the point. Having this awesome stuff provided from our taxes is wild, hardly anywhere else does this,” one user argued. Another agreed, stating, “The great thing about Oz is that, as far as public amenities go, we can see where our taxes are going.”

Several British individuals also weighed in, sharing their own experiences. One noted living near a “dangerous estuary with very quick tides” and couldn’t imagine their local council providing a free swimming alternative. Another expressed amusement at the Australian explanation, stating, “Australians here are so cute saying, ‘It’s because you can’t swim there.’ [Do] you know how many coastal places in the UK and Asia exist where you also can’t swim?! They don’t build community pools there. Aussies don’t realise the community infrastructure – pools, BBQs, toilets, playgrounds, parks – is nothing short of impressive and amazing.” A fellow Brit concurred, “It’s just LEAGUES ahead of literally anything we get provided in the UK.”

The consensus among many Australian respondents was that the free pool at Cairns was far from an isolated case. They pointed out that similar free public pools and water parks are scattered across the country, with a particular concentration in Queensland.

Notable Free Public Swimming Locations in Queensland:

• Streets Beach, Southbank: Frequently lauded as an exceptional free public swimming destination.
• Airlie Beach Lagoon: Another popular and well-regarded spot for swimming and relaxing.
• Settlement Cove Lagoon, Redcliffe: A significant free lagoon offering a substantial swimming area.
• Orion Lagoon, Springfield: A modern and popular free water amenity.
• Hamilton Island Main Pool: Even on a resort island, a free public pool is available.

Furthermore, many east coast beaches boast free ocean pools, designed for lap swimming or for those who prefer to avoid the open waves.

Joe’s surprise at the readily available free BBQs also highlighted how commonplace these amenities are for Australians, a resource they often overlook. “Your parks don’t have free BBQs?” one user questioned, while another added, “BBQs in parks are just normal – I didn’t realise other people didn’t have that.” A lighthearted response captured the sentiment: “Everyone has the right to a dip and a Barbie!”

Ultimately, Joe’s video served as a valuable reminder for many Australians, prompting reflections on what they might take for granted in their country. “I forget how good we have it sometimes,” one person mused. The experience underscored how these seemingly small, everyday conveniences can significantly influence visitors’ perceptions and perhaps even contribute to their desire to make Australia their permanent home. As one comment playfully put it, “Welcome to Straya mate! Now the toughest part is resisting moving here.”