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Outdoor Play

Ryde Park: The Grounds Keeper Cafe, Playground & Scooter + Bike Track

March 18, 2018 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Ryde, South West, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

Sydney’s Northwest is spoiled for choice with excellent parks, playgrounds and cafes. Ryde Park, in particular, is a special spot. It’s a huge park complete with sporting grounds, basketball court, playground, picnic facilities, a brand new scooter and bike track, plus the excellent Grounds Keeper Cafe.

Ryde Park: The Grounds Keeper Cafe, Playground & Scooter + Bike Track

The Grounds Keeper Cafe was formerly known as Ryde Park Cafe before its makeover in 2013 by owner Sam Hayek. The menu has a Middler Eastern flavour to it, with dishes on offer such as Kafta Tagine Eggs (Clay pot baked free range eggs with spiced lamb kafta and served with pita bread and labna, $19) Chilli Eggs (Spicy avocado and tomato salsa on toasted sourdough, free range poached eggs, topped with Dukkah and drizzled with balsamic glaze, $19) and Hummus Awarma (Traditional Lebanese breakfast of hummus topped with fried eggs, slow cooked lamb, toasted almonds and fresh mint served with Lebanese bread, $22).

Brekkie is served until 11:30am, when the lunch menu kicks in. There are plenty of options for vegetarians and also those on a gluten-free diet.

Kids can choose from the Little Grounds Keeper Breakfast Menu, which features dishes from $6.50-$9.50 including choice of eggs with bacon with toast $9.50, ham and cheese omelette with toast, pancakes and a ham and cheese toastie. The Little Grounds Keeper Lunch Menu has dishes from $9.50-12.50 including wagyu cheese burger, penne napolitana, grilled chicken tenderloins with fries and kafta skewers with fries.

Tables are able to be booked in advance – which I highly recommend for weekends as it’s a very popular cafe. We didn’t book and were lucky enough to get a table straight away for our party of 7. Food came quickly after it was ordered and was cooked to perfection.

My Pancakes On The Grounds (layered home made pancakes topped with mascarpone, fresh strawberry, crushed pistachio, pure maple and caramel syrup and dusted with icing sugar) were a work of art and incredibly delicious.

The eggs on toast with added sides got a thumbs up from hubby and our friend who ordered the same.

The Grounds Keeper Cafe is incredibly popular with families in particular and it’s easy to see why. The food is incredible and service fast, even on a super busy day.

There is a reasonably-sized playground under shade directly outside the cafe, which is particularly good if you have to wait for a table or your meal. There are bathrooms behind the cafe including a baby change table and disabled toilet. The cafe and playground are also extremely accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are able to wheel directly into the cafe and up to the tables.

Ryde Park Scooter and Bike Track

A brand new scooter and bike track was added in March 2018. It’s a great little area with stop signs and roundabouts, making it fun and educational at the same time. There are three picnic tables with shade scattered around the track. Trees have been planted but it will be a while before they will give any shade. A water fountain at the entrance of the park is handy if you visit on a hot day.

Ryde Park
Ryde Park, Blaxland Road, Ryde

The Grounds Keeper Cafe
30 Argyle Ave, Ryde
Hours: Mon, Wed-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat & Sun 8am-4pm (Closed Tuesdays)
Kids’ Menu: Yes
Change Table: Yes
High Chairs: Yes
Easy stroller access: Yes
Playground: Yes
groundskeepercafe.com.au

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.

Balmoral Beach Sydney: Sydney’s Best Beaches

March 5, 2018 / Beaches, Outdoor Play, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Balmoral Beach Sydney is our absolute favourite beach. There is something special about this quiet beach in the north shore suburb of Mosman. Despite its popularity, Balmoral still feels like a quaint seaside town, with low rise properties, lack of giant hotels, and just the right amount of quaint cafes to dine at.

Balmoral Beach Sydney

The little harbour beach of Balmoral has been a popular spot since well before the colonisation of Australia in 1788. Local Aborigines lived in the area before they were displaced by white settlers (you can find their cave preserved near the entrance to the oval).

In the late 1880s artists, including Arthur Streeton and Tom Roberts, were lured to Balmoral by it beauty and set up camps at the water’s edge at the foot of Awaba Street and nearby Sirus Cove.

Today, Balmoral Beach Sydney is even more popular than ever. A huge draw is its calm water, making it the prefect beach for families.

Balmoral is technically two beaches, split in the middle by Rocky Point Island. South of the island is Balmoral Beach, with an enclosed swimming area and playground, and north lies Edwards Beach, where you’ll find the heritage-listed 1920s Balmoral Bathers Pavilion, which houses the Bathers’ Pavilion Restaurant.

A wide esplanade runs behind both beaches, perfect for scooting, pushing prams and wheelchairs, walking and walking dogs.

Behind the esplanade, adjacent to the bridge that joins the path to Rocky Point Island, is the Balmoral Beach Rotunda, popular for weddings as well as for kids to play in. We recently discovered a statue of a dog named “Billy” near the rotunda. It was erected a few years back to recognise the work of a local street sweeper, Cliff “Inky” Williams, and his canine companion, a dog called Billy.

There are plenty of shady spots for a picnic at Balmoral Beach Sydney, or you can choose a local face for dining in and takeaway.

How To Get To Balmoral Beach Sydney

The easiest way is to hop on a ferry at Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo and catch a connecting bus. You can plan your trip here.

If you drive, prepare for a parking battle as the beach gets very popular particularly on weekends. Parking near the beach costs $7 an hour, but you can park in the backstreets for free.

Or bring a picnic hamper and relax in the pretty parklands next to the beach. Getting to Balmoral Beach is easy by public transport. Hop on a ferry at Circular Quay and glide across the sparkling harbour to Taronga Zoo in Mosman for a connecting bus. The total trip takes about 30 minutes.

While we love scooting and exploring on foot, you can also learn to sail or hire kayaks, sailboards and stand-up paddleboards from the Balmoral Surf School.

There are plenty of changing and bathroom amenities available at Balmoral Beach.

Find more Sydney beaches to visit here.

Check out some of the best ocean pools in Sydney here.

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.

Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia

February 21, 2018 / CBD, Darling Harbour, Outdoor Play, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

A peaceful way to spend a few hours in Sydney is with a stroll through the Chinese Garden of Friendship at the south end of Darling Harbour.

Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Harbour

The gardens were built in 1988 as a symbol of friendship between Sydney and the southern Chinese city of Guandong. It was designed and built by Chinese landscape architects and gardeners to reflect the “yin-yang” Taoist principles and the elements of earth, fire, water, metal and wood.

The two lions at the entrance, guarding the gardens, also represent yin and yang. If you’re into in Feng Shui, you’ll be interested to know that the garden is also designed to encourage the flow of “qi”, or “life force”.

We really enjoyed strolling through the gardens. They are serene, even when travelled through at high speed by a six-year-old. The gardens feature waterfalls, lagoons with lotus plants, lakes, pavilions, sculptures, and wildlife such as koi carp, birds and water dragons.

A feature we particularly liked was the Dragon Wall with its two imperial dragons. The brown dragon represents Guangdong and the blue New South Wales, playing with the pearl of friendship. It’s just stunning.

Kids will enjoy the free Emperor’s Quest, a self-guided adventure for ages 5-12. The quest takes visitors to find the 12 animals of the Chinese lunar calendar hidden throughout the garden. Each animal has a clue to help find it, and information on it once it’s found.

Visitors, both adult and children, can also dress up in traditional Chinese costumes from the Ming and Ching dynasties (costs and extra $10 adult $5 kids).

The gardens holds plenty of free programs throughout the year including school holidays, with activities such as tai chi classes and lantern painting.

Visitors can also enjoy the daily koi feeding at 11:30 am.

Last stop before leaving the gardens is the Teahouse, where a range of traditional Chinese refreshment are served. I’ve heard the scones are fantastic.

Chinese Garden of Friendship
Darling Harbour
Hours: Open daily 9:30am-6pm (Apr-Sep), 9:30am-5:30pm (Oct-Mar). Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day.
Cost: Adult $6, kids under 12 $3, family (2 adults, 2 kids) $15, concession $3, senior $4.50.
Accessibility: the lower pathways and pavilions are very accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. The steps and rocky pathways in the upper garden are more difficult.
Facilities: Accessible toilet and baby change facilities.
Online: chinesegarden.com.au

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.

12 Of The Best Ocean Pools in Sydney

February 14, 2018 / Beaches, Outdoor Play, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Cool off in one of these 13 spectacular ocean pools in Sydney. These seaside pools offer a great way to relax, unwind, and splash at leisure, while admiring breathtaking ocean views of Sydney harbour and beaches. Most ocean pools are great for kids, making these spots a top choice for families in hot weather.

12 of the Best Ocean Pools in Sydney

Ocean Pools in the North

Dee Why Rockpool

A popular spot for families, the 50-metre rock pool and toddlers pool likes at the southern end of Dee Why Beach. The toddler pool is one of the best in Sydney for kids – especially designed with littlies in mind, it’s shallow and perfect for splashing around. Facilities nearby include public toilets and showers.

Image credit: Destination NSW

Fairy Bower Ocean Pool, Manly

Take a ferry from Circular Quay for a gorgeous day out to Manly Beach and the Fairy Bower ocean pool. Walk south down the coastal path past the beach to find the ocean pool, where locals have been frolicking in the water for almost 100 years. As well as being a great option for families to splash around, Fairy Bower is also home to plenty of marine life. In the water next to the pool lives plenty of fish, seadragons and coral, so bring your snorkel.

Get more tips on a day at Manly Beach.

Image credit: Andrew Gregory; Destination NSW

Palm Beach Rockpool

Just over an hour’s drive from the CBD, Palm Beach is Sydney’s northernmost suburb. At the southern end of Palm Beach lies a rockpool that graduates from shallow to deep water. As the southern end of Palm Beach is protected from rough seas, the ocean pool water is calm – perfect for kids. The rockpool is 50 metres long, and has change rooms/showers/toilets nearby.

Get more tips on a day at Palm Beach.

Whale Beach Rockpool

A small beach located 40km from Sydney’s CBD, Whale Beach features a 25-metre pool and a natural rock pool area to explore. One of the best rockpools for kids, the Whale Beach Rockpool is shallow and calm, only filling at high tide. There are public toilets, showers and a playground nearby.

Image credit: Andrew Gregory; Destination NSW

Ocean Pools in the East

The Geoff James Pool (Clovelly Ocean Pool)

At the southern end of tranquil Clovelly Beach lies the Geoff James Pool, a 25-metre saltwater lap pool. Clovelley itself is extremely calm to swim, making it a popular spot for families. The area is also home to plenty of marine life, making it a great spot for snorkellers.

Image credit: Andrew Gregory; Destination NSW

Bronte Baths

At the southern end of Bronte Beach lies the Bronte Baths, an ocean pool built into the cliff face in 1887. Stairs lead down to the pool, which starts shallow and gets deeper. In rough surf conditions the pool isn’t suitable for smaller kids due to the waves crashing over the wall and into the pool. Nearby you’ll find toilet and changing facilities, plenty of cafes, and a large park with shady trees for picnics.

Image credit: Andrew Gregory; Destination NSW

North Bondi Wally Weekes Pool and Mermaid Baths

At the northern end of Bondi you’ll find the Wally Weekes Pool, a modified tidal rock pool that was the first ocean pool south of Sydney Harbour. The Wally Weekes pool borders the North Bondi Children’s Baths, also called Mermaid Baths. There are plenty of cafes nearby and bathroom facilities at the surf club. The Bondi Children’s Pool is one of our top choices for ocean pools in Sydney.

Get more tips on a day a Bondi Beach.

Bondi Icebergs Pool

Australia’s most famous and photographed ocean pool, the Bondi Baths have been a popular landmark for over 100 years. The baths are located below the start of the Bondi to Coogee cliff walk, making it a popular spot for tourists to rubberneck the swimmers. They include a 50-metre saltwater lap pool and smaller kid’s pool, with a lifeguard on patrol all year round.
Casual entry to the pool is $6.50 at time of publishing. You cannot visit and not swim at this ocean pool in Sydney.

Visiting Bondi with a wheelchair? Check out Have Wheelchair Will Travel for tips.

Ross Jones Rockpool, Coogee

At the southern end of Coogee Beach lies the Ross Jones Memorial Pool. Built in 1947, the “pool” is actually two adjacent pools, jutting out from the rock face. The pools get a lot of crashing waves from the ocean and are quite deep. You can find the Ross Jones Memorial Pool directly underneath the Surf Life Saving Club. Bathroom and change facilities are easily accessible and there are lots of cafes nearby.

Get more tips on a day at Coogee Beach.

Wylies Baths, Coogee

A few hundred metres south of Coogee Beach, you’ll find Wylie’s Baths, a heritage-listed tidal swimming pool. Established in 1907, Wylies Baths was among the first mixed-gender bathing pools in Sydney. You’ll pay a few dollars each to enter the baths, which is worth it along for the retro Australian vibe at the baths and kiosk perched above. There are bathroom and shower facilities for use (hot water shower will cost you a small fee), and a free shower for rinsing off on deck.

Image credit: Destination NSW

McIvers Ladies Baths, Coogee

Australia’s last remaining ladies only seawater pool, McIver’s Ladies Baths, are located between Coogee Beach and Wylies Baths, perched on a cliff face and rock platform. Steps lead down to the baths from Grant Reserve. The baths are open to women and children only, and cost a small fee. Facilities include a brick sunbathing area, change rooms and amenities, plus a small clubhouse.

Mahon Pool, Maroubra

Walk a few hundred metres north of Maroubra Beach Jack Vanny Reserve, and follow the steps to Mahon Pool. Built in 1932, this 30-metre-pool was carved into a rock flat at the base of a steep hill. During high tide the pool is unsafe to swim, so be sure to visit at low tide when the water is calm. Because it’s such an unusual spot, Mahon Pool is one of our top choices for ocean pools in Sydney.

Get more info on visiting Mahon Pool here.

Tips for visiting Sydney ocean pools

Go early or off season
Sydney summers are brutally hot and the beaches get packed in peak season. If you’re going in summer particularly on a weekend arrive early if you want to be able to park your car anywhere remotely near the beach. I particularly love Sydney’s beaches in spring and autumn as there are less people and they’re also less hot!

Be prepared for the heat
Pack well with long-sleeved rashies and cotton cover ups, plus wide-brimmed hats and slip off shoes (Natives or Crocs are good).

Slap on sunscreen
Not just once: reapply SPF 30+ sunscreen every 2 hours or after swimming.

Stay hydrated
Take large bottles filled wiht ice cubes or frozen overnight. We have insulated water bottles that stay cold for 12 hours.

Take a break at high noon
When the sun is at its most brutal, get out of the heat. Have lunch at a cafe or sit under a tree with books or games.

Find out the best beaches to visit in Sydney here.

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.

Chinamans Beach, Mosman: Sydney’s Best Beaches

February 14, 2018 / Beaches, Mosman, North Shore, Outdoor Play, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

The beautiful residential suburb of Mosman, on Sydney’s north shore, is home to several stunning beaches including Chinamans Beach. We happened upon this little gem on a hot summer’s day, when we weren’t able to find parking at nearby Balmoral and thought we’d give its smaller neighbour a try instead.

Chinamans Beach is a smaller beach, a 250m stretch of sand that sits inside Middle Harbour. The result is a quiet, calm beach with very gentle water, perfect for families with little kids.

It was named after the areas local Chinese residents who once organised market gardens in the park.

If you want to visit both beaches, Balmoral is only a 1km walk around the rocks to the south. On the day we visited the water was too high so we didn’t attempt it, but it is possible.

There is no shade on Chinamans beach, so bringing an umbrella or tent is advisable. We were lucky enough to score a spot at the south end of the beach under a tree up on some rocks near the path. Not an idea spot, but at least we had some shade.

You also won’t find any cafes or kiosks on Chinamans Beach, so bring plenty of water and food (and sunscreen!). A very enterprising person was selling beach patrons snacks and ice blocks from his little boat when we visited.

There are no lifeguards at Chinamans Beach, however the water is so calm that it’s considered a very safe beach. It does, however, get quite deep as it goes out further into Shell Cove, the bay in front of the beach that is popular for yachts to park.

At the south end, the rocks that lead to Balmoral Beach are fun to climb on and have small rockpools with sea life in them. Be careful as the rocks are slippery and have sharp barnacles on them.

Behind the beach is Rosherville Reserve, a large, quiet park area, perfect for picnics or barbeques. It has plenty of trees and shade, a small playground and decent shower and toilet.

Getting to Chinamans Beach

CAR
The park has a very small car park which is metered (paid). You can also park for free on the streets surrounding Rosherville Reserve, which has a path to the beach.

PUBLIC TANSPORT
Catch a bus that goes through Mosman from the Sydney CBD and Neutral Bay. Check bus timetables here.

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.

Sydney’s Best Playgrounds: Bungarribee Western Sydney Parklands

January 10, 2018 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, South West, Sydney, Western Sydney / 0 comment

The Western Sydney Parklands is a top spot for local families to stretch their legs and really enjoy the great outdoors. The newest park in the precinct, Bungarribee, opened in March 2017 – a 200-hectare recreational facility that gives locals plenty of wide open space to play, cycle, scoot, walk, run and even walk their dog at one of Sydney’s largest off-leash dog areas, the Warrigal Dog Run.

At Bungarribee you’ll find plenty to entertain the family all day. The ultra-modern playground will be a total hit with the kids, with its 14-metre-high playtower, 50-metre-long flying-fox, giant and baby swings, water play area and sand pits.

The playtower is unlike anything we’ve seen in a Sydney playground before, with multiple levels giving kids challenges to climb over and through various levels. It’s a great space for tweens to enjoy in particular.

Other facilities at Bungarribee include walking/cycling/scooting tracks, 20 barbecues, 13 picnic shelters (8 are available for hire, the rest are free of charge, on a first-come first-served basis), plenty of car parking (the area we parked had free all-day parking), large, clean bathrooms, and wide open fields to run around.

Personally, I thought the space was pretty good, but could use a few improvements:

The park needs better shade cloths instead of the rather weird netting that was used.
The park has no all-ability features in it. I can’t understand why 15 million dollars was spent on a huge new park that excludes kids with disabilities.

Get more information on Western Sydney Parklands Bungarribee here.

Bungarribee
Western Sydney Parklands
Entrance Intersection of Holbeche and Doonside roads, Bungarribee.

Sydney’s Best Playgrounds: Wulaba Park, Green Square, Waterloo

November 13, 2017 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

This brand new playground in Waterloo is a joint venture between the City of Sydney and property developer Meriton, as part of their residential development plan for the area. As you can see from these images, Wulaba Park is situated right in the middle of high rise housing developments. Having lived in this area ourselves previously, it’s wonderful to see more play spaces for kids opening up for the community.

Wulaba Park features an exciting playground designed by a landscape architect in conjunction with Sydney artist Nuha Saad. The result is an elegant design that is quite beautiful to look at with soaring lines and bold colours.

The name of the park, “Wulaba” is an Aboriginal word of the Gadical people meaning rock wallaby. Until the development of the early 20th century, Waterloo was the largest swamp in the area and home to many rock wallabies. Nowadays, the park is a place for human wallabies to hop around and burn off some energy.

Waluba Park features a giant mega slide, a tall climbing tower, tunnels for kids to run through, nets and ladders to climb and a swing set on a soft-surface floor. The 4,000sqm of outdoor space also features a landscaped picnic and bbq area, bike tracks and handball and table tennis courts.

Our verdict

While we loved the design and Cheese found it incredible inviting, there wasn’t overly much for her to do there and she wanted to leave sooner than we had expected. The park isn’t fenced so parents have to keep an extra close eye on littlies, and there is very little shade. No shade clothes have been built into the park, and the trees are new and small.

Bathrooms: One toilet with baby change facilties
Cafes: None – you’ll have to walk to the nearby shopping complex in Zetland
Parking: Limited but do-able. We parked at the Zetland shopping complex and walked over.
Public Transport: Bus stop nearby. Nearest train station is Green Square.

Wulaba Park, Green Square, Waterloo
54–60 O’Dea Avenue, Waterloo

Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden, Centennial Park, Sydney, Australia

October 23, 2017 / Outdoor Play, Playgrounds, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

Nestled in the heart of Sydney’s Centennial Park, the newly opened Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden is designed to connect children with nature and engage all five of their senses.

Inside the Garden, children can indeed run wild and explore the environment which includes around 12,000 plants, a water play area featuring 11 water jets and mist machines, a 7-metre tall treehouse with a bridge leading to it and slide leading down, a 10-metre tunnel, a bamboo forest, a sand pit, and, our favourite, a wide open space with logs and rocks for climbing and branches for building teepees or cubby houses.

The Garden was created for children aged 2 – 12, of all abilities. Within each of the “spaces” of the garden there are plenty of ways for kids to engage with their surroundings regardless of their age or background. Every section of the Garden has been created in a way that it is a blank canvas that is open to interpretation by the child to project their own imagination onto, and create their own world and games inside.

We visited the Garden on its opening weekend and it was absolutely packed, which is understandable. It’s a delightful place with a lot of attention to small details such as trails for kids to run down and a forest of bamboo that they can disappear into.

While the garden is a decent size it’s not massive and it wasn’t big enough to cope with the amount of people who visited when we were there. Plants were getting trampled and even ripped out by kids (where were their parents???? I have no idea!!), and the line to get up into the treehouse and slide back down again was so crowded it looked unsafe for littles to get involved.

Hopefully when its newness has worn off the Garden will have less less people there on a regular basis so it’s able to be a safe and enjoyable environment for the little kids it was designed for.

We spent the majority of our time in the garden building a cubby house made out of the big sticks that are provided and decorating it with rocks, bark and ferns we found lying around. Unfortunately the greenery had been ripped off plants by other kids before we arrived – we used it to decorate since it was already on the ground, but did tell Cheese that we don’t rip branches off trees.

Entry to the Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden is free. There is a van serving coffee, drinks and snacks inside the garden plus excellent bathroom facilities.

Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden
Centennial Park
Hours: The Garden is open daily, 10am-5pm.
Where to find the Garden: Located in Centennial Park, off Grand Drive and adjacent to the Education Precinct.

Sculpture By The Sea 2017

October 22, 2017 / Beaches, Outdoor Play, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

It’s time for the 21st annual Sculpture by the Sea, the largest free to the public sculpture exhibition in the world. This year in Sydney, Sculpture by the Sea runs from 19 October – 5 November 2017, along the cliff top walk from Tamarama Beach to Bondi Beach.

While the majority of the sculptures are not able to be touched, each year there are several that are designed to be interacted with by visitors, be it walking through them, on them or climbing over them – the placards in front of the sculptures let people know which ones are able to be touched and which ones are too fragile.

This year we found that there weren’t any interactive sculptures like in previous years sadly, but still some that could be crawled through and touched.

Please enjoy the photos of this spectacular exhibition, and scroll down to the bottom for tips on attending.

Tips for attending Sculpture By The Sea

Go early, like 6am early. Last year we arrived at 7am and it was perfect. This year we arrived at 9:45am and it was absolutely packed.
Parking is a nightmare. Go early and look for a spot around Tamarama or Bronte.
Bring lots of water, sunscreen and a hat. The sun is brutal on the walk and there is no shade.
Bathrooms are located at Tamarama Beach, Mark’s Place and Bondi Beach.
Food is also located at Tamarama, Bondi and Mark’s Place. In 2017 there is a new fast food service at St Mark’s Place serving basic breakfast food from 7am-10am like granola, fruit salad, croissants and quiche, and, from 10am, pies, sausage rolls and quiche plus burgers, gnocchi and fries. There are also sweet treats and drinks including freshly squeeze juice. Kids meals: nuggets and chips, tuna wrap, ham and cheese toastie.
The walk is not stroller friendly at all. If you cannot bring your child in a baby carrier, walk/drive to Mark’s Place – it’s the only stroller accessible point of the walk.
Try for dawn or sunset for pictures with truly stunning light and less people around.
There are two kids’ playgrounds on the walk – one at Tamarama Beach and one at Mark’s Place.
Week days are much less busy than weekends.
Keep an eye on small children. Not only is the walk crowded, it runs along the cliff tops where there are no guard rails or barriers to stop children from falling over the edge.
Not all sculptures are designed to be touched. Please respect the signs and only touch those that are designated for interaction.

Photography tip: It might look like we were pretty much by ourselves on the walk but this was thanks to careful shooting and editing. For pics like these, be extremely patient and wait until other people leave the frame, or step around them and find an angle with no-one in it. If you can’t do either, then crop in close.

Sculpture By The Sea

29 Of The Best Beaches For Kids In Sydney

October 10, 2017 / Beaches, Outdoor Play, Sydney, Sydney Life / 0 comment

With hundreds of stunning beaches in Sydney to choose from, sun seekers are spoiled for choice! Take the kids for a dip at one of the best family-friendly beaches in Sydney, spread across the north, east and south. From calm, sheltered beaches and bays to bustling surf scenes, there are so many kid friendly beaches in Sydney that this list just keeps on growing!

Take your pick from some of the best beaches for kids in Sydney!

29 Of The Best Beaches For Kids In Sydney

Beaches in the North

Chinamans Beach

Chinamans Beach is a smaller beach, a 250m stretch of sand that sits inside Middle Harbour. The result is a quiet, calm beach with very gentle water, perfect for families with little kids.

Get more tips on visiting Chinamans Beach.

Balmoral Beach

Often called the best beach for kids in Sydney thanks to the gentle water in the enclosed swimming area. Balmoral has a gorgeous view between the two headlands that form the gates to Sydney Harbour. It also features a wide boardwalk, plenty of cafes and bathrooms / change room facilities at the rear of the Bathers’ Pavilion. Balmoral is renowned as one of the best calm beaches in Sydney.

At the northern end, a short walk through the streets or around the rocks will take you to Chinamans Beach. Little Sirius Cove is also nearby – an under-the-radar spot with sheltered beaches, a playground and a netted tidal pool. To reach Little Sirius Cove follow the trail that leads to Taronga Zoo.

Get more info on visiting Balmoral Beach here.

Clifton Gardens

One of Sydney’s best beaches for families, Clifton Gardens features a gorgeous white sand beach, baths and a playground, excellent facilities and access to bush walks. The water is flat and calm, there is a wide path for scooters and bikes, plus a sheltered playground. A big grassy area is perfect for kite flying. At the southern end follow the path to take a short bush walk. Another of the best calm beaches in Sydney, Clifton Gardens is a beautiful spot all year-round.

Get more tips on a day at Clifton Gardens.

Sirius Cove

Sirius Cove Reserve in Mosman, on Sydney’s lower north shore, is a dog and kid-friendly oasis with a calm beach, shady playground and grassy picnic space.

Sirius Cove Reserve is a dog-friendly hideaway in the suburb of Mosman in Sydney’s lower north shore. Often referred to as Little Sirius Cove, this charming natural treasure boasts a quiet beach, a playground and a large picnic area.

Get more tips on a day at Sirius Cove.

Collaroy Beach

Collaroy is well-known for being a fully accessible beach reserve and playground. The recently upgraded playground is excellent – it’s gated, has partial shade and has equipment for children of all-abilities. Collaroy Beach also has public toilets, accessible picnic areas, rockpool and paths perfect for scooters, strollers and wheelchairs.

Visiting Collaroy with a wheelchair? Check out Have Wheelchair Will Travel for tips (also thanks for the pic!).

Curl Curl

One of Sydney’s best surfing beaches. At the northern end of Curl Curl you’ll find a lagoon which flows to the sea. Kids can walk through the shallow water in this area, look for sea life or play in the sand. At the southern end lies a family-friendly ocean swimming pool.

Dee Why Beach

A popular beach for families with its ocean swimming pool and toddler’s area, spots for picnics and plenty of beach cafes and boutique stores. Dee Why is located around 20km from Sydney’s CBD, to the north of Curl Curl. Ramps leading down to the beach make it easily accessible for strollers.

Image credit: Destination NSW

Manly Beach

One of the best beaches in Sydney period, Manly is a fantastic day trip for families. While the beach is famous for surfing – the first world surfing championship was held here in 1964 – it’s also a place to shop, dine and play. The easiest way to get to Manly is to catch a ferry from Circular Quay, near the Sydney Opera House, across Sydney Harbour to Manly Wharf (it takes 30 minutes). Walk from the wharf up the Corso, where you’ll find shops and cafes, to Manly Beach.

Walk south down the beach to Shelly Beach, a sheltered area that’s perfect for kids to paddle and swim, as well as being popular for snorkelling. Thanks to the calm waters, Shelly Beach is a particularly great beach for kids.

Get more tips on a day at Manly Beach.

Freshwater Beach

Accessible by foot from Manly Beach, Freshwater is popular with families thanks to its sheltered position. Freshwater also features public toilets with showers, a playground, BBQs, kiosk and picnic areas.

Narrabeen Beach

Narrabeen Beach stretches over 3km from Long Reef to Narrabeen Lagoon. It features some of the most beautiful rock pools of all the northern beaches. North Narrabeen Beach is particularly family friendly with Narrabeen Lagoon and Birdwood Park adjacent, featuring grassed spaces and a small playground.

Narrabeen Lagoon is flat and calm – perfect for kids to paddle around on a boogie board or paddle board.

Palm Beach

Famous for its starring role in the TV show Home & Away, Palm Beach is also the northernmost suburb of Sydney. Just over an hour’s drive from Sydney’s CBD, Palm Beach is also home to the historic Barrenjoey Lighthouse and keeper’s cottages (which can be accessed by foot if you feel like a good walk). The southern end of Palm Beach has a protected section of water suitable for small kids as well as the ocean tidal that graduates from shallow to deep. We enjoy following the trail past the tidal pool to climb on the rocks. We love Palm Beach and rate it as one of the best beaches for kids in Sydney cos it’s just such a great day trip as well as having lots to do.

Get more tips on a day at Palm Beach.

Whale Beach

A small beach located 40km from Sydney’s CBD, Whale Beach features a smaller pool and a natural rock pool area to explore.

Image credit: Andrew Gregory; Destination NSW

Pittwater Beaches

There are several beach options in Pittwater, located an hours drive from the Sydney CBD. The flat water in this area is a major draw for families. Try The Basin, a calm lagoon best reached via ferry from Palm Beach, Clareville Beach with its tidal baths, Salt Pan Cove which has a playground and Paradise Beach, a little gem of a spot that has a swimming enclosure. With such flat water in the area, kayaking is a popular sport.

Image credit: Destination NSW

Greenwich Baths

This fully-enclosed harbour beach is located at the tip of Greenwich Point and is the only privately operated swimming spot on the list. For a small admission fee, visitors can access the beach and change room facilities, as well as enjoy the provided beach toys and sun-loungers. A kiosk supplies food all day. Greenwich is often called one of the most kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Read more about visiting Greenwich Baths.

Beaches in the East

Clovelly Beach

A small and tranquil beach, Clovelly is popular with families and snorkellers, as well as being home to plenty of marine life. A Blue Groper nicknamed “Bluey” frequents the area. With access steps into the water, Clovelly resembles a large ocean pool more than a beach. At the southern end of the beach you’ll find a saltwater lap pool.

Image credit: Andrew Gregory; Destination NSW

Bronte Beach

A gem of a beach only 2km south of Bondi, Bronte has a beautiful park with picnic and BBQ facilities, plenty of cafes and can be used as a base to start the coastal walk to Bondi Beach and beyond.

While the surf conditions might now always be suitable for small kids, at the southern end of the beach lies an area where rocks create a sheltered paddling area for kids, plus the Bronte Baths, an ocean pool constructed in 1887. Bronte Beach is one of our fave kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Bondi Beach

Sydney’s most iconic beach is always busy – and for a good reason. For many reasons, Bondi is always regarded as the best beach in Sydney. With plenty of great cafes to grab a bite, the stunning Bondi to Bronte coastal walk at the south end, plus a gated playground near the surf club and a children’s ocean pool at the north end, it’s the perfect family beach in Sydney.

Parking is difficult so allow plenty of time to find a spot, or catch the bus. Despite it’s popularity with tourists and constant business, we love Bondi and think it’s one of the best beaches in Sydney for kids.

Get more tips on a day a Bondi Beach.

Visiting Bondi with a wheelchair? Check out Have Wheelchair Will Travel for tips.

Coogee Beach

With calm surf, a flat path along the water’s edge for scooting and plenty of kid-friendly places to eat like the Coogee Pavilion, Coogee is a local fave hangout for families. At the southern end is a great playground with bathrooms. You can also make Coogee your starting point for a coastal walk – a few hundred meters past the beach lies Wylie’s Baths, a beautiful ocean tidal pool. Coogee is is one of the best Sydney beaches for kids!

Get more tips on a day at Coogee Beach.

Nielsen Park

In the suburb of Vaucluse you’ll find some the most family-friendly beaches in Sydney. Shark Beach at Nielsen Park, located in the Sydney Harbour is a haven for families, with a netted swimming area in its placid bay, large fig trees for shade, plus a beautiful pavilion with bathroom and changing facilities that was built in 1932.

Bring a picnic lunch or try the Nielsen Park Kiosk. Parking can be tricky to find so arrive early. This is one of the most kid-friendly beaches in Sydney, so it’s always popular.

Milk Beach

Milk Beach is located at the base of Hermit Bay in the Sydney National Park, in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. A small, isolated beach, Milk Beach is known for its breathtaking views of Sydney. The beach has calm water thanks to protection on both sides, its gentle waves making it great for kids to splash around. While there are no bathrooms or cafes at this beach it does feature a rock shelf, rock pools and a wave cave, making it one of our faves to stop by in any season to explore.

Get more tips on a day at Milk Beach here.

La Perouse Beaches

La Perouse is a little gem of a spot, with three beaches to choose from all on the one little peninsula. The three beaches, Frenchmans Bay, Congwong Beach and Little Congwong Beach are all calm, sheltered beaches, making them perfect for kids.

Frenchmans Bay

In terms of accessibility, Frenchmans Bay wins first place, located right next to the road with only a few steps needed to be taken to reach the soft sand. It’s also closest to amenities including public toilets and cafes.

Congwong Beach

Congwong Beach requires a 100m walk down through the bush and down stairs, so is best suited to older kids.

Read more about visiting Congwong Beach.

Parsley Bay Reserve

A personal fave our ours with the calmest swimming waters we have ever encountered thanks to the bay’s sheltered position. The water is also very shallow, making Parsley Bay the perfect kids beach. Behind the beach you’ll find bathrooms (they’re a bit of a walk), a little kiosk, shady trees, a playground and a short bush circuit that’s perfect for kids. You might even spot an Eastern Water Dragon sunning itself.

A small carpark is accessible from Parsley Road (Horler Avenue) but we found a great spot on the street last time we visited. Parsley Bay Reserve is stunning and one of the best beaches for kids, as well as being one of the best beaches for toddlers in Sydney.

Get more tips on a day at Parsley Bay.

Watsons Bay

A perfectly calm beach in Sydney, with a stunning view! Catch a ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay and enjoy fish and chips on the beach from the famous Doyle’s. Splash in the ocean, play in the gated and shaded playground, or picnic in the large park. Kids can also take a tip in the recently renovated and completely enclosed Watsons Bay Baths. The harbour views from Watsons Bay are stunning and a reason to go on their own. The perfect day trip for locals and visitors alike, Watson’s Bay is a super kid-friendly beach.

Get more tips on a day at Watsons Bay.

Camp Cove Beach

This gorgeous little beach around the corner from Watsons Bay has calm, flat water and an abundance of sea life. There is very little shade so take an umbrella or beach tent. Camp Cove Beach has no lifeguards so keep a close eye on kids. Parking is limited so get there early.

Get more tips on visiting Camp Cove Beach.

Gordons Bay

This secluded beach is best for older kids as there are no lifeguards or bathrooms and access is a bit tricky. It is, however, a calm bay to swim in, teaming with aquatic life, and has a fantastic rock shelf for climbing.

Beaches in the South

Cronulla Beach

Located 50 minutes by train from Sydney’s CBD, Cronulla is a thriving beach community. Enjoy the rock pools at both the north and south ends of the esplanade or try one of the many kid-friendly cafes. Cronulla’s Shelly Beach has a rocky shoreline with a rock pool for swimming that’s popular for younger children, plus a large grassed area with a fenced playground.

Image credit: Destination NSW

Malabar Beach

A lesser-known beach, Malabar is a local hangout particularly for families. With placid surf conditions, a rock pool located on the southern foreshore below Randwick Golf Club and a park directly behind the beach with a playground and public toilets, it’s easy to see why.

Maroubra Beach

A popular spot for both expert and beginner surfers, Maroubra, which is easy to access by bus from Central Station. The beach also features a shaded kids playground and a skate park in Arthur Bryne Reserve, adjacent to the beach. Walk to the northern headland to Jack Vanny Reserve, and follow the steps to Mahon Pool, a popular rock pool.

Get more info on visiting Maroubra Beach and Mahon Pool.

Visiting Maroubra with a wheelchair? Check out Have Wheelchair Will Travel for tips.

Tips for visiting Sydney beaches

Be prepared for the heat
Pack well with long-sleeved rashies and cotton cover ups, plus wide-brimmed hats and slip off shoes (Natives or Crocs are good).

Slap on sunscreen
Not just once: reapply SPF 30+ sunscreen every 2 hours or after swimming.

Stay hydrated
Take large bottles filled wiht ice cubes or frozen overnight. We have insulated water bottles that stay cold for 12 hours.

Swim between the flags
Particularly with kids, stay in parts of the beach that are patrolled by life savers and stay within the flags.

Take a break at high noon
When the sun is at its most brutal, get out of the heat. Have lunch at a cafe or sit under a tree with books or games.