Christine Knight, Author at Adventure, baby!

Christine Knight

Christine is the editor of Adventure, Baby!

The Secret Life of Suitcases: Sydney’s Best Shows For Kids

September 29, 2015 / Sydney, Sydney Life, Theatre / 0 comment

It’s not school holidays without some amazing kids theatre to be seen. Today we had a fabulous time seeing The Secret Life of Suitcases, a show by the Monkey Baa Theatre Company.

I haven’t been to a show by Monkey Baa before – I was pleasantly surprised to discover this theatre company for kids is housed in The Lend Lease Darling Quarter Theatre, directly opposite the children’s playground in the Darling Quarter Precinct. The theatre is purpose built for young audiences, with activities in the foyer pre and post shows (we had options to dress up, colour in or read books), parking for prams and plenty of family friendly eating venues nearby.

Back to the show we came to see: The Secret Life of Suitcases tells the story of a puppet named Larry who like being “busy” at his office job. He is content in his business until a tiny suitcase arrives, on a mission to open his eyes to the life he is missing out on.

The suitcase takes Larry on a fantastical adventure and right back home again – where he has the choice to go back to life as it was, or to step away from his all-consuming business and join society.

It’s a message that is beneficial for both adults and children to come away with – how often do we “busy” ourselves with the internet and our phones, in particular, missing out on conversations, special moments and opportunities?

I say yes to stepping away from being “busy” for the sake of it and grabbing life before it passes us by, too. This enchanting, delightful show will appeal to children and adults alike – it will also encourage you to put down your phone for the rest of the day when you leave.

The Secret Life of Suitcases is produced by the Monkey Baa Theatre Company.
Dates: Daily 28th September – 2nd October
Times: 11am & 1pm
Venue: Lend Lease Darling Quarter Theatre (across from the Children’s Playground in Darling Harbour)
Prices: $25pp / $90 Family 4 / $110 Family 5
Call: 02 8624 9340

Thank you to the Monkey Baa Theatre Company for hosting us – all opinions and extremely enthusiastic fairy child are my own.

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids here.

Find things to do in Sydney for free here.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney here.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney here.

Find the best high teas in Sydney here.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney here.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day here.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney here.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney here.

Paradise Road Diner: Bondi’s Best Kid-Friendly Cafes

September 27, 2015 / Bondi, Eastern Suburbs, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

There are plenty of cafes in Bondi, usually super busy, over run with tourists, and serving very average food. We discovered a new cafe recently called Paradise Road Diner, which is on its way to becoming a new local favourite breakfast and lunch spot, particularly for families.

The diner evokes the feel of 1950s America, with its vintage interiors and classic menu. Plenty of burgers, shakes and eggs your way – all at very affordable prices.

We ordered a classic cheese and tomato omelette ($16, served with a half ruby grapefruit), bagel with cream cheese ($6), and a classic chocolate shake, $6.

The food came quickly and was spot on. The perfect size for breakfast on our way down to the beach. The shake was truly a classic, served in a stainless steel cup for the small one. No gimmicks here, just really simple, good food and shakes.

The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful, to us and all of the other families who were dining at the same time. Crayons were brought for toddlers to scribble with, furniture was moved to accommodate strollers, and welcoming smiles greeted every one at the door. The delicious food with no waiting, combined with the staffs’ welcoming attitude, ensured we will be back again soon.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Black Star Pastry and Cafe
296 Campbell Parade
North Bondi Beach
Phone: (02) 9557 8656
Prices: $$
Hours: Daily 7am-10pm
Get Directions

Archibald Inspired High Tea at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

September 26, 2015 / CBD, Sydney, Sydney Food / 1 Comment

The Sofitel Hotel prides itself on being Sydney’s Hotel of the Arts. As such it presents an Archibald inspired High Tea at the same time as the Archibald exhibition is on display at the nearby Art Gallery of New South Wales. While the high tea is over (today, September 27th, was the last day), the Sofitel has a Wentworth High Tea available all year round.

The basic high tea starts at $49pp, including savouries and sweets and your choice of tea ($59 with a glass of sparkling wine) and a ticket to the Archibald Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Chef of Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Boris Cuzon, created an amazing replica of last year’s masterpiece, a portrait of champion snowboarder Torah Bright, by artist Zoe Young, on decadent white chocolate, as the centerpiece of each platter.

The platters were arranged very differently from a regular tiered high tea. The sweets and savouries were arranged artistically on a piece piece of slate, and placed on a tripod-like stand.

Sweets
Opera cake “splash”
Mini pastel macarons
“Painted” eclair
Gold framed apple “tarte fine”
Scone, cream and homemade jam
White chocolate painting

Savoury
Egg & herb sandwich
Roasted beef and tomato mini baguette
Chicken and leek tartlet
Avocado, tomato, lettuce mini baguette (vegetarian option only)
Mixed vegetable sandwich (vegetarian option only)

The food was a great amount for lunch – I polished off the lot and didn’t feel ill from eating too much food. The desserts were so small that I didn’t feel like I had sugar overload at the end, either. The only weak spot I would suggest would be the scone – it was tiny and more like a biscuit than a big, fluffy scone.

The sandwiches were fresh and light, and I liked that I received my own extra vegetarian sandwich platter.

At $49 I thought the price was very reasonable. The only downside of our experience was the service. While very polite, we had to constantly flag down a server if we needed anything, like ordering the tea or asking for the cheque. We would have all loved our waters to be topped up and an offer for an additional tea or coffee.

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
61-101 Phillip Street,
Sydney NSW 2000
Bookings

Travel Guide: Singapore With Kids

September 23, 2015 / Asia, Singapore, Travel / 14 Comments

We had a brief three days in Singapore on our world trip. While we barely scratched the surface of what there is to see and do in the city, we do have some tips on things to do in Singapore with kids.

Things to do in Singapore with kids

If you have an extra day to spend in Singapore, this is a handy four-day itinerary.

Getting around
The best way to navigate Singapore is by taxi. They are very cheap and fast – but do not have children’s car seats. We took a Boostapak travel booster seat with us (it doubled as a backpack) to use in taxis. While it’s not as safe as a booster seats with a back or a five-point harness, it’s better than the alternative of nothing. Or, if you’re staying close to public transport, try that instead.

Climate
Singapore is hot and sticky all the time. Pack light clothes and a hat and sunscreen. The locals spend a lot of their leisure time in pools for a reason.

Where to eat
Singapore is extremely kid-friendly, including a lot of the restaurants. For ideas on where to eat out with kids, check out local Beverly Burgess’ blog. She eats out with her two young children extensively.

Where to stay
This post has an excellent selection of places to stay as well as ideas on things to do with kids in Singapore.

What to do

Sentosa
Sentosa Island is where Singaporeans go to play. The resort island is visited by around 20 million people each year, with attractions like beaches, golf courses, Universal Studios Singapore, Adventure Cove Water Park, Marine Life Park, the Merlion, hotels and restaurants.

Sentosa can be reached by monorail or cable car from Mount Faber – the most scenic option. You could probably spend a good five days just on Sentosa with kids.

On our outing, we took the kids on the Sentosa Skyline Luge, which was a big hit. The luge ride goes downhill, then, after the ride, a chairlift brings riders, luge carts, and the helmets back to the starting point.

We ate at Slappy Cakes at Resort World Sentosa, where pancake mixture arrives in squeezy bottles so kids can make their own creative pancakes.

A brief stop at Candylicious sent the kids into a sugar frenzy. They pushed mini carts around the store and picked a few small items each to take home.

Cool down at Palawan Beach – the most kid-friendly beach on Sentosa. it can get very busy on weekends, but it’s a great spot regardless. Clean bathroom facilities, shallow, calm water, play equipment, and a Playmobil area with toys the kids could play with.

Chinatown
A walk through Chinatown is a colourful experience. Market stalls assault the senses and kids can choose cheap trinket souvenirs. You might have a monk-sighting like we did (check out his giant phone!), and try some local food.

We stopped by the Noodle Man, renowned for his authentic, hand cut noodles.

Kids can watch him make their noodles from scratch. They taste so good you’ll order a second bowl.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
A Tang Dynesty-styled Chinese Buddhist temple in Chinatown that gets its name from the Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic it houses. The temple overwhelms the senses with colour, incense and the chanting of buddhist monks.

Gardens by the Bay
This attraction requires a full day to see everything. Consisting of three large garden areas, the main, and most popular, being Bay South garden, which houses the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, Supertrees Grove and Children’s Garden.

The Flower Dome is an indoor hothouse bursting with manicured gardens right out of a storybook.

The Cloud Forest takes visitors up an indoor mountain through a circular path, behind a waterfall.

The “mountain” is clad in beautiful epiphytes such as orchids, ferns and peacock ferns.

The Supertrees Grove is filled with tree-like structures with heights that range between 25 metres (82 ft) and 50 metres (160 ft). They are vertical gardens at the top of which is an elevated walkway, the OCBC Skyway, between two of the larger Supertrees, giving a panoramic aerial view of the Gardens. The Skyway closes in inclement weather, which is unfortunately what happened on our visit.

While kids will enjoy all of the features of Gardens by the Bay, a trip to the Children’s Garden will be a highlight of your trip. Perfect for kids aged one and up, the children’s garden is renowned for its fabulous water play area.

There is a toddler zone for kids under 5, and a larger area for children 6 and over. With clean bathroom facilities and a shaded amphitheater, it’s obvious why this is a hot spot for families. Kids aged 6 -12 will also enjoy the Rainforest Tree Houses and the Adventure Trail nearby. You can visit this area for free, which is an added bonus in very pricey Singapore. Read more about our experience here.

Want more ideas on what to do in Singapore with kids? Singapore Zoo is one excellent option, as is Universal Studios Singapore.

Find more cool things to do over here, or where the locals go to play and the best hotels to stay in here. Get an easy three-day itinerary here. Find more things to do in Singapore with kids here.

Wild Planet at the Australian Museum

September 22, 2015 / Indoor Play, Museums, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Australia’s first museum has had a bit of a facelift. The aptly named Australian Museum recently unveiled a beautiful new entrance and exhibition that has brought a new lightness to the educational and cultural institution.

Another big change to the museum is their first permanent gallery to be added in over 50 years – Wild Planet. The gallery houses 400 animal specimens including lions and a very tall giraffe.

Upstairs, another new addition awaits – a roof-top cafe with an amazing view across the city skyline.

We trialled the cafe on our visit during the school holidays. I was excited to see great kid-friendly items on the menu like the $8 lunch boxes, but when we went to buy our lunch at 1pm, most of the food, including the kids boxes, were sold out.

Their milkshake machine had also broken, so there wasn’t much in the way of food left except for adult sandwiches and fried chips. D’oh. On the plus side, you can head up to the cafe without paying admission.

The kids’ favorite parts of the museum were the Wild Planet Activity Room and KidSpace.

The Wild Planet Activity Room costs $5 per child wanting to create a craft activity. When the kids got bored with colouring in their animal mobiles, they had fun dressing up and doing puzzles.

Wild Planet Activity Room
When: Daily
Time: 10am–3pm
Ages: All
Cost: Child $5, adults free (after general admission)
Booking: None required

The Kidspace area is free after admission and is especially designed for children under 5. The kids would have really been happy to just stay in the Kidspace all day. A great deal of thought has gone into this “mini-museum” to stimulate young children’s imaginations and introduce them to the natural world through real-life objects waiting to be touched, and specimens ready to be viewed under magnifying glasses.

Cheese really enjoyed the five cubby house “pods” that were filled with activities and natural materials.

For tiny ones there is a baby-friendly space designated for crawling babies only, fenced off to keep them safe. Additional kid-friendly features: pram parking, a bottle warmer (just ask one of the staff), change and feeding space.

Kidspace
When: Daily
Time: 9:30am-5pm
Location:Level 2
Cost:Free after admission

Australian Museum
1 William St, Sydney NSW 2010
Hours: Open daily, 9:30am-5pm
Prices: Adults $15, children under 16 free.

NYC Day Trip: Stone Barns Center

September 22, 2015 / New York, Westchester / 0 comment

Give city kids a dose of country life at the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Westchester, NY.

Just 25 miles north of Manhattan is a rural paradise with rolling hills and gently baaing sheep. It’s the perfect way to escape the hustle of the city and wind down with the family while also learning a bit about where our food comes from.

The Stone Barns Center is an 80 acre non-profit farm and education center with a mission to create a healthy and sustainable food system to benefit us all.

Visiting Stone Barns is a full day trip filled with fun farm activities. Due to safety precautions (electric fences everywhere!) and concentration-requiring activities, the farm experience is best suited to children at an age where they are able to follow directions. Younger toddlers and babies are welcome, but won’t get as much out of the day, or be able to get up close to animals.

A day on the farm is different depending on what month you go. There’s so much to see and do, from meeting the Stone Barns sheep, laying hens, chickens and pigs to seeing fresh produce being grown in the greenhouse and fields, which are filled with lettuces, radishes, tomatoes and other seasonal fruits and veggies. Drop-in hands-on activities are held throughout the weekend, such as egg collecting, flower pressing, storytime and planting crops.

Weekend visits to Stone Barns are really popular, so be sure to buy your tickets in advance. All of the activities are included in the price of the ticket.

When we visited, the two preschoolers in our party enjoyed egg collecting (even though they were a bit freaked out by the friendly, curious hens who pecked our feet), the flower print making and playing with the farm dog the best. There were also freshly hatched chickens and adorable piglets to see up close.

Farm work makes for hungry humans, and we adjourned for lunch to the Blue Hill Café. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 10am – 4:30pm, the cafe has light snacks like pastries and salads, coffee and locally grown goodies. If you’ve got fussy eaters, take a picnic lunch. There’s plenty of space in the courtyard to sit in the shade and take a break before trying your hand at a farm chore or gearing up an uphill hike.

If you visit on a weekday, the farm is open Wednesday – Friday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and has a free, 40-minute family-friendly tour on these days at 1pm for you to explore the farm, get a closer look at the animals and see the seasonal vegetables being grown. The tour is appropriate for ages 4 and up.

Every year Stone Barns holds a Harvest Fest. This year it’s on October 3, and tickets are selling fast.

Tips for your visit

When dressing for the farm, remember you’re visiting a farm and dress appropriately. Closed in, comfy shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty, long pants to protect skin from itchy grass, sunscreen and hats. If it’s been raining, wear rain boots to protect your feet from mud.
Buy tickets online before your intended visit. They often sell out.
If you or your kids are fussy eaters, bring a picnic lunch as there is limited food availability.
Arrive at the start of the day to make the most of the scheduled activities.

Hours and Admission

Location: Stone Barns Center
630 Bedford Road
Pocantico Hills, NY 10591

Hours: 10am-5pm

Weekend Admission: Adults $20, Youth $10, Kids under 2 free.

This article was first published on MommyNearest.

Katherine Sabbath Cake Decorating Workshop

September 19, 2015 / Sydney, Sydney Life / 1 Comment

I’m such a lover of cake and all things sweet that I have been drooling over Instagram sensation and cake baker Katherine Sabbath’s extraordinary creations for quite a while now. I had the wonderful opportunity this weekend to take part in a hands-on cake decorating workshop with Katherine at Peters of Kensington (which is, as you’d expect from the name, in Kensington).

The workshop was to learn how to make Katherine’s signature Buttermilk Breakfast Cupcakes with maple buttercream, complete with cute chocolate eggs and fondant bacon.

The workshop was so much fun – with each task actually very easy to perform, and came together to make really fun looking cupcakes, even with zero cake decorating skills. It helped that Katherine was so gracious with her knowledge and time, giving us lots of individual help where needed to make our own Breakfast Cupcakes.

From the photos below you can see the steps we were led through to make the Breakfast Cupcakes. I really enjoyed the new ideas that were a bit more advanced than my usual decorating, but not so difficult that I wouldn’t be able to reproduce it at home if I had the time.

The cupcakes tasted as amazing as they looked. I certainly was popular when I took them home with me!

If you’re interested in attending a workshop like this, sign up for Peters of Kensington’s newsletter, as events are advertised almost exclusively that way.

September School Holidays in Sydney

September 18, 2015 / Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Looking for fun things to do these school holidays? Here are a few ideas worth exploring. Cheese and I will be going to a few of them ourselves, so we might see you there!

What: The Little Mermaid
Details: A re-telling with an Aussie edge.
Where: The Business Studies Centre, Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga
Dates: Sunday 20 September – Saturday 3 October 2015
Times: 11am and 1.30pm
Prices: Children $20 |Adults $25 | Families of four $80
Times: 11am and 1.30pm
Book: 1300 306 776 or http://www.tickets4Me

What: Carnival of the Animals
Details: Carnival of the Animals whisks you away on a thrilling circus escapade inspired by Camille Saint-Saëns’ delightful salute to feathers, fur and fins.
Where: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney
Dates: 19th September – 4th October
Prices: $44/$55
Times: 10:30am, 12:30pm
Book: Online

What: The Monkey Baa Theatre Company will be presenting The Secret Life of Suitcases.
Details: Puppets!
Where: Lend Lease Theatre, Darling Quarter Theatre
Dates: 28th September – 2nd October
Times: 11am, 1pm
Prices: $25pp / $90 Family 4
Book: http://www.monkeybaa.com.au or 02 8624 9340

What: Coogee Pavillion Nail Bar by the Sea
Details: Free manicures
Where: 169 Dolphin St, Coogee
Dates: Every Wednesday
Times: 9.00am-11.30am

What: Coogee Pavillion Dad & Daughter Day
Details: Free manicures for girls, photo booths and dress ups.
Where: 169 Dolphin St, Coogee
Date: 20th September

What: Cranky Bear
Details: Cranky Bear is a rollicking cabaret-style show by Patch Theatre Company for 4-8 year olds packed with music, laughter and mayhem.
Where: Seymour Centre, City Rd, Chippendale
Dates: 22nd – 26th September
Times: 11am, 1:30pm
Prices: $22pp
Book: http://www.seymourcentre.com/events/event/cranky-bear/

What: Sydney Fringe Festival Kids
Details: Fun events and shows for the whole family such as The Great Big Story Book puppet show.
Where: Marrickville Town Hall, 303 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville
Dates: 19 – 26th September.
Book: http://www.sydneyfringe.com/whats_on/search/genre/kids/

What: Australian Museum Wild Planet Activity Room
Details: The museum has a new exhibit open called Wild Planet. Enjoy wild activities related to the new exhibition such as making a hanging animal mobile to take home, dressing up and taking part in group art activities.
Where: Australian Museum, 1 William St, Sydney
Dates: 19 September to 5 October 2015
Times: 10am – 3pm
Prices: $5 per child (children under 16 have free general admission to the museum).
Book: Not required.

What: AGNSW Kids Festival
Details: Music, performances, film, artmaking activities and tours that the whole family will enjoy.
Where: AGNSW, Art Gallery Rd, Sydney
Dates: 20 September – 2nd October.
Prices: Free
Book: See individual activities. Some are drop in, other require booking tickets.

What: Spot On Children’s Festival
Details: Live theatre, quirky circus, sensational storytelling, marvelous music and far-out films.
Where: Riverside Theatre, Corner Church and Market Streets, Parramatta
Dates: September 29 – Oct 4
Prices: Both free and ticketed events.
Book: https://riversideparramatta.com.au/category/whats-on/family/spoton2015/

What: Blinky Bill movie
Details: An animated retelling of the classic Aussie story.
Where: Look up your local cinema for details.
Dates: In cinemas now

What: Peppa Pig meet and greet at ToysRUs
Details: As well as meeting Peppa, ToysRUs are running a promotion where you can buy $40 or more of Peppa Pig products and receive a free Peppa Pig DVD.
Where: Retail Supa Centre, 1C Todman Ave, Kensington
Dates: Thursday 24^th September
Times: 11-11:30am, 12-12:30pm, 1-1:30pm
Prices: Free

Anything Goes: Sydney’s Best Musicals

September 14, 2015 / Sydney, Sydney Life, Theatre / 0 comment

I grew up watching famous old musicals on TV with my grandmother like Show Boat and Singing in the Rain. With a childhood filled with tap dancing and ballads, it’s not surprising that I love classic musicals such as Anything Goes.

Cole Porter’s de-lightful and de-lovely musical comedy, Anything Goes, is playing at the Sydney Opera House until 31 October.

Winner of three Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival and Choreography during its most recent Broadway revival, Anything Goes is pure fun from beginning to end. It also contains some of musical theatre’s most memorable songs including You’re The Top, I Get A Kick Out Of You, and of course the title song, Anything Goes.

In the Sydney production of Anything Goes, Australian stars Caroline O’Connor and Todd McKenney steal the show. O’Conner’s voice is magnificent, and McKenney is unrecognisable in his hilarious role.

For an evening of pure escapism and divine entertainment, I’d highly recommend seeing Anything Goes. Tickets are on sale now at the Sydney Opera House.

Thanks to Nuffnang for tickets to see the show. All opinions belong to me, thanks to my musical-loving grandmother.

Best Sydney Day Trips: Bondi Beach With Kids

September 13, 2015 / Bondi, Eastern Suburbs, Sydney / 2 Comments

I usually say that Bondi Beach is for tourists and avoid it like the plague. The massive crowds make me super frustrated and trying to find somewhere to park makes my husband homicidal. Bondi does, however, have a lot going for it – there’s a reason it’s the most popular beach in Sydney, after all. If you’re prepared to brave the crowds, you’re in for a bit of a treat.

Getting there
You have two options – drive or catch the bus. Driving is faster and pretty easy, but parking is crazy, particularly on weekends. We’ve never not found somewhere to park, but it can often be a good 20 minutes walk from the beach. Catching the bus obviously means no parking, but the queues to catch the bus out of Bondi can get out of control. Either way, be prepared and allow lots of time on both ends.

Where to eat
This is always my first thought when I go basically anywhere: “What is there to eat?”. Bondi is full of great dining options, depending what you’re in the mood for.

Something fancy: Bills
Bills has the most mazing ricotta hotcakes. They are also super kid friendly, but a bit on the pricer side. Read the full review here.
Bills Bondi: 79 Hall St, Bondi Beach

Something fast: Harry’s Cafe de Wheels
Makers of delicious pies, this is my favourite option when we want to grab something and keep walking. Their pies with potato and mushy peas are legendary, and also make for a cheap lunch.
Harry’s Cafe de Wheels: 2/152 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach

Something away from the crowds: Paradise Road Diner
This is a new place that just opened. They serve basic bagels, burgers and breakfast dishes, with old school milkshakes. Reasonable prices and far from the tourist crowd. The vibe is relaxed, the staff friendly and welcoming to small children.
Paradise Road Diner: 296 Campbell Pde, North Bondi

Something with a view: Lamrock Cafe
Lamrock Cafe serves really solid breakfast and lunch meals with a killer view. They have a big menu with all the brekkie dishes you’d expect (think pancakes, eggs and “big breakfasts”). Friendly staff, a bit squishy and service can be a bit slow. The price you pay for breakfast with a view. Read the full review here.
Lamrock Cafe: 72-76 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach

Something sweet: Gelato Messina
There are lots of choices for ice cream in Bondi, but our favourite is Gelato Messina for their busting-with-flavour inventive creations. A “tiny” scoop is the perfect size for kids ($4). My favourite flavours are Salted Caramel with White Chocolate Chip and Yogurt Berry.
Gelato Messina: 6/61 Hall St, Bondi Beach

Where to swim
If you have older kids, head to the flagged section where the life guards are on patrol. Bondi gets big rips so it’s not safe to swim in the surf outside of this area.

Smaller kids will love splashing in the waves in the north end of the beach as they roll onto the shore. The area is partially protected by Ben Buckler headland, making the waves smaller. Kids can sit on the sand banks with small waves rolling up to their feet.

At the very north end of Bondi Beach is a free, outdoor children’s pool The graduated pool has no waves, so is very safe for children to swim. The shallow end is particularly great for young toddlers and preschoolers.

Where to play
Bondi Beach Playground is right behind the beach promenade, giving it one of the best views of any playground in Sydney. It’s fenced and gated, with decent shade. Nearby is the Bondi Pavillion where you’ll find toilets and change tables.

Kids will also love climbing the rocks behind the Bondi Beach Children’s Pool, scooting up and down the promenade, and, if they’re either in strollers or strong enough to scoot or walk longer distances, attempt the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk (picture above of Tamarama Beach, along the walk). Note: the coastal walk has lots of stairs.