Sydney: Best Child-Friendly Beaches

Most tourists to Sydney head down to world-famous Bondi Beach which is absolutely worth a visit, but for a truly “local” family beach day, venture out to Sydney’s lesser known harbor beaches. With calmer waters, harbor beaches are a much preferred option for young children as the ocean currents can get quite treacherous. Further most harbor beaches have controversial shark nets which prevents encounters with Jaws and his man-eating friends, always a plus for peace of mind in Australia. Here are some of our favorite harbor beaches in Sydney:

Nielsen Park: Nestled in deep in the eastern suburb of Vaucluse is Nielson Park, part of a national heritage park. Broad sweeping views of Sydney harbor and its adjacent hills greet you as you approach the water which is calm and clean. Nielsen Park rents out as a popular wedding destination because of its natural splendor. But on the weekends you can enjoy it as any of the other Sydneysiders, lapping up the waves or just catching some rays. There is also a Beach House cafe that sells snacks and beverages.

Parking can be a little difficult at Neilsen Park so get there early or grab the first spot you see on approach.

Balmoral Beach: Balmoral, on Sydney’s North shore is truly breathtaking. Soft, white sand and crystal clear waters welcome you and your family to this exclusive residential neighborhood. On the main boardwalk , there are several cafes serving up fish n chips and salads and sandwiches. For a more upscale dining experience, head over to Bathers Pavilion where the kid-friendly restaurant will offer you wine and crayons and the full-service restaurant next door offers a five-course set meal, all with water views. To help digest your food, walk over the bridge to the tiny cliff and contemplate the view from a few feet up. Note: there is no convenience store on the main strip. We ran out of diapers and had to borrow one from a fellow sunbather. Thank God for Aussie hospitality.

Redleaf Pool: Only residents of Woolahra and Bellevue Hill really know about Redleaf Pool, tucked away just off of busy New South Head road. A tiny beach that can get quite crowded, Redleaf Pool has all the atmosphere of a local family haunt. Again, quiet waters make for easy swimming for the young kids and a boardwalk spanning the entire periphery of the pool offers jumping opportunities for the older ones. A raft in the center of the pool provides a resting and viewing place for the swimmers. There is a kiosk for snacks and free parking, if you get there early enough. A bonus is it’s connection to the charming Blackburn Gardens, a quaint little public park with large leafy shady areas if the Aussie rays get too strong on the beach.

Bronte Beach: Bronte Beach is located just a little further south of Bondi beach in the beachside suburb of Bronte. The beach is set on Nelsen Bay and has all the atmosphere of a quaint little Aussie beach town. It’s a pretty wide beach, so not as limited as the harbor beaches mentioned above, but it can certainly pack a crowd on sunny weekends. The best part of Bronte is that large rocks form a shallow pool at the fringe of the water for the little ones to play around it. Totally aussie, totally baby-friendly. Adjacent Bronte Road has tons of pre,mid, or post beach dining and the attached gardens allows freedom for those who want to get the sand out of their bums. Bronte beach is a hot favorite with Sydneysider Hugh Jackman who apparently hangs out there with his kids (or his abs, as seen above) when he is in town. I have missed him every time. Shucks.

Every one of these beaches has decent public change and shower facilities. It’s not always easy with a kid but it would be so much work if they didn’t exist.

Note: It’s best to rent a car and drive to these beaches. Public transportation would take forever and not offer you much flexibility.