In my mind when I go to the beach I am like Keanu Reeves in Point Break. In reality, i’m petrified of big waves and I hate getting my hair wet. Add to this the fact that my kids are still learning about beach safety and i’d rather not spend my afternoon rescuing my screaming tweenager from a strong current. I’m more of the drooling-mum-type watching Bondi Rescue than the one doing the rescuing. The solution? I’ve hit the sand and the rocks to source the very best kid-friendly beaches of Sydney so you too can kick back in your sunny life deck chair, prop up the striped umbrella and relax while the kids have a whale of a time.
Best Beaches of the North
Balmoral
With a prime position looking out over Middle Head and the Sydney Harbour National Park, Balmoral has a secluded, calm aspect. It’s big enough to accommodate plenty of families with room for kids to splash around to their hearts content, but not so big that they’ll get lost in the crowd. Being more of a bay, there are rarely any waves to be wary of. It’s also conveniently located among a bunch of well known family friendly dining options, from take away fish and chips ready to eat on the grassy areas (beware of the busy seagulls) or the seated options of the relaxed option of The Boathouse (can be fairly busy on weekends however so be prepared to wait for a coveted table) or an up-market option of The Bathers’ Pavilion if your kids are capable of sitting still while there’s sandcastles to be built outside!
Clontarf
Known as Clontarf Reserve, this is about as kid-friendly as it gets in terms of water safety. Flat waters, with a netted area, and a nearby playground with shade. The real beauty of this area is that it’s boat friendly – which makes for great boat-watching (and lusting after) and here’s the real gem… there’s an ice-cream boat that arrives into the bay each day! It’s a local icon, known as “The Ice cream kid” and has been operating since the 80’s. Another added bonus here is that there are plenty of toilet and shower facilities. And, it’s only 5kms from Manly, so public transport is easy. If you’re keen to cook up your own bbq lunch, there are bbq hotplates and picnic tables available, or there are two cafes within the nearby park. No brainer!
Chinaman’s Beach
This is kind of like the little cousin to Balmnoral Beach. All the same winning features, calm, clear waters, but nowhere near the same size crowds. Nearby is Rosherville Reserve, which offers shaded picnic areas, a playground, and open grassy spaces. But, in return you need to factor in the lack of shark nets and there’s no official patrolling of these beaches. Another downside is that there are no cafes nearby so you need to bring your own picnic lunch or head to Balmoral or The Spit. On the upside, there’s a drinking fountain for fresh water and the bathroom and shower facilities are well maintained.
Mona Vale Beach
Technically speaking, Mona Vale is two beaches in one. Which means something for everyone! Teens and board riding kids will love the surf section of the beach (although still beginner’s size waves) and then there’s the rock pool and the shallow rock pool perfect for the littlest kids. Perhaps the most magical feature of Mona Vale is at low tide, when the rocks become exposed and all the little sea creatures come out to play. The small naturally formed rock pools that emerge are great fun for kids to explore and keep them busy for hours! Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) offers toilets, showers, a cafe, and picnic/BBQ areas.
Shelly Beach
If your kids are into snorkelling then Shelly Beach is an absolute no brainer. Part of the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, this is an underwater playground with a huge selection of sea creatures that also enjoy the secluded bay. The surrounding area has a scenic bush walking track that’s perfect if you’re after a nice hike before or after your swim. It’s also ideal if you’re keen to find a private area for a little picnic away from the crowds. Just a short stroll away from Manly Beach, past an abundance of cafes and little stores, the walk there itself is really pleasant. And if you’re grabbign a ferry from Circular Quay to Maly then it’s a really great full day out adventire with the family. The surf club nearby has toilets and showers. There’s also a cafe and electric barbecues although in summer these can get super busy so be prepared to play nicely with the other hungry families.
Best Beaches of the East
Bondi Beach
This is undoubtedly Australia’s most famous beach. There’s good reason for it. But it’s also one of Sydney’s best family-friendly beaches. It’s probably the best patrolled beach in the country, not just because it is home to the famous Bondi Rescue TV show (although this is perhaps a good indicator of how important it is to swim at patrolled beaches with your family). Everything you’d want at the beach is here. Acai bowl food trucks, Beach Chair Hire, free surf boards at the north end of the beach with an honesty policy, a huge selection of take away coffees and burger cafes, fresh seafood restaurants (North Bondi Fish is the iconic seafood restaurant right on the edge of the sand). The surf club in the middle of the beach has all the facilities you need. And then there’s the Bondi Pavillion which has just had a total makeover, and is now home to all sorts of cute boutiques with all your necessary beach gear, plus restaurants, an art gallery, and even a clay pottery studio for locals and visitors to enjoy. Bondi is easy to get to, with buses, ubers, and trains to and from Bondi Junction. For those in the know, there’s an unspoken breakdown along the beach for professional surfers who enjoy the bigger surf break at the south end of the beach. The tourists and visitors enjoy the middle of the beach, amongst the flags and in front of the surf patrol towers. Then there’s the family friendly northern section of the sandy beach, with the smaller surf break thats great for kids and beginner surfers (you’ll also see the local surf schools here) and then there’s the rockpool thats great for toddlers and small families. But wait there’s more! Perhaps Bondi Beach is most famous for its instagrammers and influencers who flock to the grassy hill (aka Grassy knoll) at the north end of the beach. On Sundays this also attracts live musicians and Brazillian drumming groups in particular, which sets a vibrant scene as the sun sets for one of the best sunset view points in Sydney. As we said, something for everyone!
Clovelly
Hello snorkelling paradise! Well known to anyone in the East as THE place to snorkel if you want calm waters (thanks to the man-made concrete bollard walls that hug the north and south sides of the bay) and an abundance of marine life that calls Clovelly home. This is where the very famous blue gropers of the Eastern beaches hang out and provide loads of safe fun entertainment for kids and beginner snorkellers.
At the sandy stretch of beach in the secluded bay you can expect to find a small playground. Then there’s the sweet little cafe that offers seated dining with table service and loads of tasty easy meal options, plus the very handy take a way kiosk area thats great for ice creams, smoothies, burgers, and coffees for mum and dad. The surf club at Clovelly offers shower facilities and patrol for swimmers. And the carpark is also a really decent size, so you can expect to get a park and not have to cart all your inflatables and picnic gear for miles in the sun. Clovelly is also positioned with near the bus line that runs directly to Bondi Junction for trains anywhere in Sydney. There’s also the very handy Clovelly Hotel. This is a brilliant spot to stop at the end of the day with the little ones and enjoy a meal in the beer garden with live music and bingo.
Coogee
Coogee is a very well situated beach for everything you want and need. The north end is right next to the Coogee Pavillion, owned by the Hemmes group, so caters to everyone and everything. The centre of the beach is where the patrolled swimming zone is and lifeguard tower. The South end is the surf club and the rock pool, perfect for families and those wishing to keep their hair dry from the waves. Coogee can occasionally develop a steep drop with the sand bar at the shore line so this makes for a good surf break, a great spot to sit and watch instagrammers and influencers getting barrelled by random waves and also an area to avoid if you’ve got really little ones.
The south is surrounded by large old rocks which makes for a fun crab hunt with the kids at low tide. This is also an easy access point to the beach for those with prams and anyone wanting to escape to the shaded playground just behind the surf club. It’s also a handy spot to retreat at lunch time if you want to stop in at Barzura for a family friendly feast without having to rinse the sand from your feet. If you’re looking for something more upmarket, there’s an abundance of nearby restaurants on Arden Street and Coogee Bay Road. Buses run regularly from Coogee to the city or to Bondi Junction. There are also several amenities blocks and BBQ areas available for all the necessary showers and picnin friendly spots, with grassy ovals and picnic tables.
Bronte
Bronte is like the smaller cousin of Coogee, but without the massive main street options of cafes and restaurants. Thats not to say there isn’t a small hub of places to grab a bite but it’s limited to a small strip of exclusive burger and fish & chip joints that offer a slightly more expensive gourmet option and can be a real bun-fight to get a table on a busy day. That said, Bronte has one trick up its sleeve that makes it a serious draw card for families who would rather not eat sand-wiches (aka known as a facefull of sand) all day. It’s the Bronte oval and it is a fabulous big green grass oval right on the water, overlooking the promenade, which becomes a family, dog, picnic and ball-game friendly zone all through the day, set slightly back from the sand.
Bronte is also widely known for its multitude of bbq hot plates so families wanting to cater for themselves can easily plan a cook-up without having to battle big crowds for one hot plate. The downside to this can be that back packers often choose Bronte as their go-to destination and can occasionally take over the grassy oval with their pickleball and frisbee games. The beach itself is greta for little ones with the Bronte rockpool at the south end (and often provides great entertainment for kids when the swell is up, as the waves crash over the rock wall) plus the “Bogey hole” which is the natural wading pool area within the ocean itself that forms more of a pond than a wave pool and becomes a popular spot on hot days. The final attraction at Bronte that is a real point of difference is the Bronte miniature train… designed for kids, this has been running on the Bronte oval for decades and runs circles around a small 100m track at decent speeds, creating huge entertainment for kids and parents alike since 1947, for just $5 a ride.
Best Beaches of the South
Wanda Beach
There are some pros and cons to Wanda Beach. It’s fantastic benefits in that it is a large, sandy beach in Cronulla, and the largest patrolled beach in the area. Kids who wants to swing a bat, teens who want to hit the surf and parents who want to spread out the picnic rug will love it! There’s also plenty of facilities like the playground at Don Lucas Reserve and lifeguard patrols from Wanda SLSC.
The downside here is that the beach can develop some strong rips, so you’re going to need to keep a close eye on the little ones throughout the day. For this reason, Wanda Bay can actually be one of the quieter / less crowded beaches in the Cronulla area.
In the summer, there are cafes and kiosks open for take away. Here’s the super fun part… Wanda is home to the Green Hills sand dunes, meaning there are some off-leash dog zones (hurrah!) and also makes for super fun exploration for kids who like to leap, dig, and boogie-board down the sand dunes.
Wattamolla
Wattamolla has loads to offer! It’s a coastal picnic area in the Royal National Park, so it means a decent drive to get to, but once you’re here, it’s spectacular family spot for swimming, fishing, snorkelling and bushwalking. The layout of the beach includes a lagoon which can offer a secluded swimming hole on a hot day for those who want to wade instead of surf. Unpack a picnic under the shade of the cabbage tree palms and do some serious unwinding, or head to the beach for a spot of fishing. After enjoying a barbecue lunch, go for a walk along one of the beach tracks, with a prize for the first to see a sea eagle. Being in a national park, this is the ultimate day trip for kids who are fascinated by nature.
The secret side of Wattamolla is what most locals know but many tourists miss is the giant cave found half a meter below the water’s surface. You need to dive below the surface to find it and swim along the shaft of a tunnel hidden underwater into the cliff face for roughly 2m. If you’re brave enough to go this far, you’ll find an opening that will have you standing in a giant hidden cave. Explorers delight! Enter at your own risk.
Little Bay
Little in size, huge in fun value! Little Bay Beach is described as one of Sydney’s undiscovered jewels. A ‘secret’ beach, that is popular with locals, and anyone given the insider’s tip (yes, you heard it here, from Sydney travel Guide!). It’s usually protected from big swells making it a great place for for swimming and snorkelling and for families. But, the rock ledges at the north and south of the beach are sometimes dangerous for swimming as the rocks are sharp and hard to climb as sntry and exit spots for swimmers when the swell is up. Bring your rock walking shoes! They do however, make for popular fishing spots if you’re going to throw a line in and teach the kids how to fish.
Beach access is via a steep timber staircase from Anzac Parade and there is parking on the street. A café is located in the Prince Henry Centre towards the top of the beach, open throughout summer. Public toilets and change rooms are located on the timber staircase about halfway down to the beach. In summer the beach is patrolled by Randwick City Lifeguards.
Best Beaches in the West
Penrith Beach (aka Pondi)
This is often a jaw-dropper for visitors to Sydney who are in disbelief that there could be a beach in Sydney’s west. But mark my words, Penrith Beach does exist and is surprisingly fabulous for families in the west wanting a beach experience without having to travel far. This man-made beach was created a government initiative to encourage people to enjoy their own backyard and is run and operated as a public beach. During peak season from Saturday 6 December to 1 March, Penrith Beach is open daily from 7 am to 7 pm, with no entry after 6:30pm.
There’s a whole bunch of well-run activities, perfect for families, including one-hour swim classes for kids aged 5–12, led by Royal Life Saving NSW. There are also community water safety days, perfect for anyone new to water safety or wanting to build confidence. And these include water safety stations, free lunch and free time, with a free shuttle to and from Penrith Station and Penrith Beach.
Food trucks are almost always available at Penrith Beach, and there are loads of water stations around.
Best Harbour Beaches
Camp Cove
Camp Cove isn’t necessarily known as the most family friendly beach by design, but if you have kids that are really keen to experience a relaxing swim in pristine clear waters and then wander around the corner for the best amenities and seafood lunch at the Watson Bay Hotel, then this is your best option! The fun part about Camp Cove is that the ferry service runs to Watson’s Bay so families can make a real adventure out of the day, with lunch at the Watson’s Bay and then enjoy the shaded playground right next door. No need to battle the crowds for parking!
The other fabulous draw card here is for family-friendly swimming and snorkelling with stunning city views as the back drop, and an educational benefit also with the historically traditional Cadigal Aboriginal site and European first landing spot in Port Jackson. It’s all a really enjoyable short hike, fun for little ones, getting a good dose of nature and Australian history along the South Head Heritage Trail.
Parsley Bay
Parsley Bay is the place to go for families wanting a netted swimming beach and anyone who is a fan of Indian Jones! Bear with me. There’s a historic suspension bridge connecting one side of the beach to the other and provides endless entertainment for little ones with a vivid imagination.
Mum and Dad will be happy with the nearby playground, picnic spots and there’s even a hidden waterfall, at the end of the small bushland walks. In fact, Parsley Bay is a nature reserve, which means there’s as much to explore along the shore line as there is under the water.
The kiosk is open year round, and there’s a good amount of pram friendly parking, if you get there early enough on the weekends and school holidays. The one downside to this beach is that it’s not really located close to regular public transport. On the upside, this can mean it doesn’t get the huge crowds.
Redleaf
Redleaf is possibly Sydney’s perfect shining example of a harbour beach that makes every Sydneysider proud. Descend the stairs from New South Head Road (yes, there’s a public paid carpark here) and you’ll see the beach below you, like a postcard. Its surrounded by a beautiful big old 60m by 90m wrap around pontoon which doubles as a sun-baking location and a fun jumping platform for big and little kids for hours on end. In thew centre of the beach there are two floating pontoons, which are also huge attractions for kids who want to dare to swim into the deep and then find refuge on their own floating raft / pirate ship.
For lunch, head to the well-stocked little kiosk for a quick bite, while taking in the views over to Darling Point and The Harbour Bridge. Being a Harbour Beach, there are no waves and there’s plenty of beautiful sailing boats to admire throughout the afternoon. There’s even a dog-friendly sandy beach directly alongside Redleaf (also known as Murray Rose Pool). There are toilet and shower facilities here, plus power points for families who bring their own inflatable swim toys and prefer to electronically pump them up rather than the exhausting manual option. The downsides to Redleaf are the steep stairs to enter and exit, not easy if you’re carrying little ones, prams and all your beach gear. The parking can be limited. And there’s no playground facilities. But this aside, Redleaf is a fantastic Harbourside option not far from the city and guaranteed to offer the iconic Sydney postcard perfect day.
