Best Beaches in Sydney for Kids | Family Friendly Beaches

Throughout the year we seek out opportunities to escape to the beach. Lucky for us we are Sydneysiders so we are never really that far from the ocean. This has given us ample time to work out the best family beaches in Sydney and those from the bunch that are kid-friendly beaches much of the year around. 

Sydney’s Best Kid-friendly Beaches

With over 100 beaches in the city alone, Sydney families are spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting a beach to take the kids. They’re all free and will create summer moments you will never forget – moments worth millions! Even outside these kid-friendly beaches will provide a wealth of fun if you take a moment to check out the rock pools and other sights.

Best Beaches for Kids in Northern Sydney 

Head north of the harbour bridge and you will find quite a plethora of beaches to choose from.

Balmoral Beach 

The Esplanade, Balmoral

Touted as a jewel of Sydney, Balmoral Beach boasts gentle lapping waves and a reputation for being one of Sydney’s best family beaches. The suburb itself is perfect for a day out with the kids with numerous cafes and restaurants. 

Make sure to book a table at The Boathouse Balmoral to top your day off. 

Visit by car: Ticketed parking is in place along The Esplanade at Balmoral, and carparks at Balmoral South. Visitors must obtain a ticket from the machine and display this on the dashboard of their vehicle at the regulated times. Balmoral Southern End has 190 spaces (including 1 disabled). 
By ferry: Catch a ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo then hop on a connecting bus straight to Balmoral Beach

Chowder Bay at Clifton Gardens 

Morella Road, Mosman

Chowder Bay is a great spot to head with the family, with the Clifton Gardens said to be one of the best beaches for kids in Sydney. Situated in the northern precinct of Sydney Harbour National Park, it has plenty of grassy, shady spaces to base yourself and is perfect for relaxing.

The nearby historic military buildings and Clifton Gardens Wharf now house lively cafés and restaurants. 

Chowder Bay Road parking: Monday-Friday: $3 per hour, to a maximum of $16 per day. Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: $4 per hour, to a maximum of $20 per day. If you hold an NPWS All Parks or Multi Parks Pass, you can park free for up to four hours per day – additional time can be purchased

Chinamans Beach 

Access via Rosherville Reserve, McLean Crescent, Mosman

Chinamans Beach somehow remains one of Sydney’s best-kept secrets when it comes to the best beaches for families. It is not visible from the road, making it a spot only those looking for it will find. At only 230m or so in width, this narrow expanse of water with gentle waves is great for the kids to swim across without going into deeper water.

Rosherville Reserve is just behind the beach and is perfect for BBQs and picnics. It also has a playground, toilets and change facilities. 

Tip: There is no shade at Chinamans Beach or food facilities, so bring your umbrella and plenty to drink/eat. 

Visit by car: A small ticketed parking bay at Rosherville Reserve. It does fill up quickly. 

Clontarf Beach 

Sandy Bay Road, Clontarf

Shady, sandy….Clontarf Beach is a perfect Sydney beach for kids with a family-friendly playground and a netted area to swim. What is a highlight of this particular beach is the shade! In summer, there is often a mobile floating kids park that the kids can enjoy (fee applies).

Watch out, others know about Clontarf Beach and it can be crazy busy on hot days so get there early to snag the shadiest spot for your stay. 

Visit by car: Parking available on street and in carpark, entry fees apply, with time–metered parking. 

Greenwich Baths

Albert Street, Greenwich

Greenwich Baths is a glorious beach to enjoy with the whole family with spectacular views of the harbour. The baths are surrounded by a shark-proof net and parents will be happy to hear that the baths also have child-proof gating. 

What I love about Greenwich Baths, and what makes it one of the best beach spots in Sydney for families, are the gentle lapping waves and the fact that sand toys are provided. 

Greenwich Baths are a managed site and there is an entry fee. However, the cafe, sun-loungers, picnic tables, change facilities and clean toilets make it worth it. 

Visit by car: Park your car on Albert or O’Conell Street.
By ferry: Take the Parramatta River ferry and stop at Greenwich
By bus: Take the 265 or 269 bus down to Greenwich Baths

Palm Beach

Palm Beach, NSW

Palm Beach is Sydney’s most northerly suburb. The beach itself curves in a gentle arc between Barrenjoey Lighthouse across to the sandstone rocks of Little Head in the south, linking Barrenjoey to the mainland. 

My kids love Home and Away so they adore swimming alongside the bait shop (officially called the Boathouse Palm Beach), although there is usually a whole lot of seaweed on the sand. 

For families heading to Palm Beach, the best place to swim with the kids is probably the southern end of the beach where you will find the Palm Beach Rockpool. 

Visit the set of Home and Away – meet the cast. 

Visit by car: Ticketed parking

Q Station

Today I am letting you into a little secret: the Q Station boasts one of the best family friendly beaches in Sydney and not many people know about it! The best spot to swim his directly behind the cafe/restaurant where the water gently laps the shore. 

Please be mindful that the beaches at the Q Station are not patrolled, and can sometimes have strong rips and currents. 

Visit by car: Arriving in Manly via Sydney Road, turn right to Belgrave St. Turn left at Manly Wharf. Take the second left (signposted North Head), turn right onto Darley Road and up the hill past Manly Hospital. Go through the stone arch, continue until you reach a roundabout and turn right into Q Station parking area.
By ferry: The My Fast Ferry stops right at our door step at Quarantine Wharf (Q Station) several times a day, 7 days a week with their new Hop On, Hop Off service. Tickets can be purchased from the Fast Ferry booth at Manly or Circular Quay wharves or online.  **Currently on hiatus due to C19
By bus: 135 bus that operates between Warringah Mall, Balgowlah, Manly Wharf and Q Station.

Shelly Beach 

Bower Street, Manly

When it comes to Sydney Beaches, tourists usually flock to Bondi Beach or Manly Beach. Neither are particularly great for younger families despite their reputation, with strong rips and enthusiastic surfers. 

If you are in Manly and hope to take the kids to the beach, have a look at Shelly Beach. Shelly Beach offers calmer waters, lots of places to sit and a much more relaxed feel. It also offers  The Boathouse Shelly Beach for food and drinks. 

Check out our things to do in Manly with kids. 

Visit by car: Ticketed parking is available close to Shelly Beach but is restricted to four hours and tricky to find if you arrive later in the day. Manly CBD has four Council run paid parking stations.
By ferry: Catch the Manly Ferry straight from Circular Quay and walk to Shelly Beach. 

Best Beaches for Kids in Eastern Sydney 

Bronte Beach

Bronte, NSW

For me, Bronte Beach will always be linked to Hugh Jackman because only a few years ago it wasn’t that unusual to spot him right here with his two kids. Whilst it is renowned for its awesome surf, I really do think it is one of Sydney’s Best Kid Beaches if you factor in the incredible Bogey Hole on the south side which is best swam in when the tide is about midway between high and low, and then Bronte Rock Pool which must be one of the very best of all NSW ocean pools for kids. 

Bronte Beach is a spectacular beach option for families. The amenities are perfect with free showers, changing facilities and the all-important toilet. The only downside would be the lack of shade but bring your umbrella and you will be fine.

Head to the north end of the beach for the kiosk and a number of cafes.

Visit by car: When we visit Bronte Beach we always find a park around the back streets of Waverley Cemetery. It is free and easy, although we do need to walk to the beach (downhill there – uphill back!). You can park at Bronte Cutting, although there are limited spaces and it is ticketed 
By bus: Take the train from Town Hall to Bondi Junction. Bus 440 from Stand E at the Bondi Junction bus station ( Bronte road near Gray street) to Bronte. 

Coogee Beach

Coogee, NSW

Coogee is such a glorious place to spend the day with a beach perfect for families, a generous scattering of places to eat and an atmosphere that is just buzzing. But where is the best place to swim in Coogee with kids? 

Giles Bath to the north, is a natural rock pool affectionately called Bogey Hole. Watch the surf conditions as it can be rough.  At the south you will find Ross Jones Memorial Baths which is quite popular with families. 

However, our favourite two are McIvers Baths (women and children only) and Wylie’s Baths.  McIvers Baths has spectacular views and is the last remaining women’s-only seawater pool in Australia. Wylie’s Baths, is very safe and clean, and has shade too. It just comes with a fee!

Parking in Coogee: There is both free and metered parking in Coogee. 

Parsley Bay Reserve and Shark Beach

These are two of our ultimate Kid Friendly Beaches in all of Sydney which we seem to be drawn back to again and again. Whilst they are two very different beaches they are almost next to each other, so I have pulled them together for ease of visualising the location.

Shark Beach is often busy because it has all the amenities you need including a cafe right on the boardwalk. The beach has a shark net (bring along your snorkel set to spot the seahorses that have built their homes along the net) and if you are early enough you can snag some shade.

Parsley Bay Reserve which is also in Vaucluse has both a park and a playground to go along with the beach making it one glorious kid friendly beach and one that must be on your list. It too has public toilets and a kiosk. Be mindful that parking can be a real hassle. 

Visit by car: There is free street parking. Bradleys Head carpark: $8 per vehicle per day. North Head carpark: $5 per vehicle per day. There are pay and display machines that accept cards and coins – no change given. Chowder Bay Road parking: Monday-Friday: $3 per hour, to a maximum of $16 per day. Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: $4 per hour, to a maximum of $20 per day.

Camp Cove

Camp Cove Beach is such a glorious beach. It is wheel-chair accessible, has delightful views across the harbour to the city, and has gentle lapping waves. There’s even a beachside kiosk over the warmer months. Camp Cove is also the perfect place to learn how to snorkel. Don’t miss a walk to the Hornby Lighthouse. 

Visit Hornby Lighthouse at Watsons Bay with Kids

Visit by car: There is ticketed parking at the top of the beach, or find road side parking nearby. 
By ferry: Catch the ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay ferry wharf

Best Beaches for Kids in Southern Sydney 

Jewfish Bay Baths

Oatley Park, Oatley

We found the Jewfish Bay Baths (which I always thought were the Oatley Park Baths) by accident when we were visiting the incredible Oatley Park Adventure Playspace. It was a fantastic find and one we have gone back to a few times.

At 320 metres in length, this netted swimming area has never been particularly busy when we have visited and with both the Oatley Park Adventure Playspace up the top and the castle too, it is a great space to spend a day.

Read our full view of the Oatley Park Baths – Jewfish Bay Baths.

Parking: Whilst this space gets very busy on weekends, there is plentiful parking

Bundeena 

Bundeena is such a lovely space to spend the day. This sleepy little town has three beaches that we love: Jibbon Beach, Gunyah Beach and Horderns Beach. 

At 700 metres in length, Jibbon Beach is usually a quiet beach with no rips. It becomes busy on weekends with its deep inshore attracting boats. Watch out for the surging waves that can be tricky for kids. If you head here, make sure you take the Jibbon Head walk to see the Aboriginal rock etchings.

Gunyah Beach is 130 m of sand and rocks that face due north toward the Cronulla Peninsula. The beach usually boasts calm to low wave conditions and is relatively quiet.  Horderns Beach is a curving 580 m long northeast-facing beach with  calm to low wave conditions similar to Gunyah. 

I love that Bundeena has so many places to picnic. It continues to be one of my favourite spots. 

Parking: Parking is fairly plentiful but you will need to purchase a Royal National Park day pass.
Ferry:  Catch the ferry from Cronulla

Gunnamatta Park 

Nicholson Parade, Cronulla, NSW

Gunnamatta Park spans 14 acres with a gorgeous beach front overlooking Gunnamatta Bay. WIth fantastic BBQ and picnic facilities, toilets and change rooms at Gunnamatta Pavilion, and a playground before you even hit the beach, it is a great space to visit with the kids. Perhaps even one of the best beaches in Sydney for kids. 

Parking: There is a parking Bay that runs the length of Nicholson Parade along the park.

Silver Beach, Kurnell

Silver Beach is a 2.8 km long west-trending sand spit in Kurnell, New South Wales. We usually swim up close to the national park, but have found many families enjoy the Kurnell Baths as it is netted (about 200m in length).

Kurnell is a great place to explore with the kids too. We love exploring the groynes and rocks of Sutherland Point, finding an array of different shells and sea life. 

Things to do in Kurnell with kids. 

Parking: There is free parking along the beachfront, however in busy days this can fill quickly. There is parking in the Kamay Botany Bay National Park, make sure to purchase a day pass to avoid fines. 

Sydney’s Best Kid Beaches Map

To help you find your next Sydney beach to explore with kids we have collated them all into a map. Simply click the little blue tag to read about the beach to see if it sounds like a Sydney beach you would love to explore with your family. We have attempted to provide a little blurb about each beach, an image and a list of amenities, after all, Sydney beaches with kids is the perfect summer activity. Which will you choose?

Of course, I’m sure that there are a few hidden spots that we’ve missed. Locations that only the immediate locals know about. Special spots that are absolutely perfect for families. If you know of one and this we should include it, please leave a comment below.

The Kid Friendly Beaches to Head to First

One of the hardest decisions you need to make this weekend is which Sydney beach to head to with the kids . Of course, you want kid friendly beaches that are safe, free of rips, and with lots of authentic opportunities to enjoy the ocean. Where to head can be a little confusing if you haven’t really explored our beaches before.  We’ve rounded them all up into an easy to use map so you will find the one perfect for you in our Sydney’s Best Kid Beaches | Kid Friendly Beaches resource.

If you’re in Sydney for the very first time you are likely to head to Bondi Beach but what if we told you that there are countless Sydney beaches that are suited to families. In fact, Sydney boasts a plethora of options from beaches with endless sand, beaches with grassy nooks, beaches with rock pools and even beaches where the tide gently laps at your feet. Some would say that the city is blessed although we are loath to declare what really is Sydney’s Best Kid Beach as I’m certain we will all differ in option.

What to take to your favourite Sydney Beach

If you are heading to one of Sydney’s best beaches with kids you need to be prepared. Our sun is bright and if you leave sun protection at home you are likely to spoil your day, and those thereafter, dealing with burnt skin. 

So what should you pack? Sun protection is key for my family and we have ditched the fashion of barely there swimming togs for long sleeve rashies and great sunscreen (we use La Roche-Posay or Cancer Council). There is no way we could spend days upon days in the water without these two supports.

It’s easy to get dehydrated at the beach too, so we bring along plenty of water in a small esky. We did invest in a large beach tent, but it became impractical, so we are looking at investing in an umbrella that will still provide some shade.

What are your “must haves” for the beach?

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Other Things to Do in Sydney with Kids

Get out of the city this weekend and head for a Farm Stay near Sydney.

Where to stay in Sydney with kids.We have rounded up an assortment of great options for you to consider across Sydney. Or how about getting out of Sydney for the weekend with our best weekend getaways from Sydney rounded up. 

If you love enjoying the great outdoors and Sydney’s coastal areas with kids, why not head to Botany Bay with Kids! 

Head over to our best indoor playgrounds with kids. and the best outdoor playgrounds in Sydney.

The best things to do in Sydney with Kids : We provide you with a plethora of activities that will keep you and your kids busy. From quick trips to overnight experiences, you’ll love this list of goodies!

One of our most popular posts is our Ultimate guide to Sydney school holiday activities. It is quite possibly the most comprehensive listing you will find.

Love a proking a little adrenaline rushing through your system? Head to our Luna Park post to read all about this heritage listed park.

Looking for a wildlife adventure? We have created the ultimate list of Australian Zoos and Wildlife Parks for your reference. Want something a little more personal? What about one of Sydney’s Animal Encounter experiences where you can touch, feed and even care for some of Sydney’s zoo and wildlife animals?

Of course, when the sun is out you might like to head to one of Sydney’s Water Parks with the kids or even better. 

This one is a little scary, but we know some families love seeking out the unusual. How about one or two of Sydney’s Most Haunted places?

Fruit picking is one of our most favourite family experiences. Check out our Sydney Fruit Picking resource so you can head out this weekend!

What about heading to a festival? We’ve pulled together an annual calendar of festivals across Sydney.

Oh…and don’t forget our Strawberry Picking around Australia resource!