Balmoral Beach, Mosman

If you like variety in your beach experience, then Balmoral could be for you. It has, obviously, a beach, but the beach is divided by a concrete bridge and a narrow piece of land - Rocky Point. One end has a members club, the other a small harbour and more restaurants. The beach has some natural rock pools to splash around in and shells to collect. Family friendly swimming. When we went the water didn't seem as clear as other beaches.

There are some great views to be had from the headland and walking trails if you want to explore further.

What we found:
- Best toilets/shower block of the beaches so far
- Additional showers on the beach (in the sand)
- Harbour area
- Sandy, rocky and shell beach
- Wide green areas
- Good views out to sea
- Variety of cafe's and restaurants
- Expensive parking if you don't find a spot to park on the street
- Members Beach Club

Dee Why Beach

The first time we visited Dee Why beach it captured a fraction of our hearts. We contemplated living there but decided it would be too far to commute into the City. It is still a lovely place to visit. Great for families with a less tourist feel than the City beaches. Check before you go if there are any large special events on as parking may be a problem if there is.

What we found:

- long stretch of sandy beach

- waves good for paddling and surfing

- large playground, shaded under trees and sails

- beautifully clear rock pools, one for kids with a gentle slope into it, and the other with lanes

- rocks to climb over and search for shells

- beach side cafes and restaurants

- showers and toilets at either end of the beach, not the most glamourous

- lots of options for sitting overlooking the sea without having to go on the beach

Assembled songs

When I think back to my school assemblies, I think of long periods of time, sat in uncomfortable chairs, singing hymns with never ending verses and being lectured to.

Not so at my sons school. I'm loving hanging around for the assemblies held in the playground. They are as long or as short as they need too be and not protracted for the sake of it. Predominantly conducted by the kids, which not only helps give those kids experience of public speaking but they are really characterful. My highlight is the song of the day. Yesterday we had 'Uptown Funk', billed as a winter warmer to get everyone moving. Today it was 'Doe a deer'. 

Such an upbeat way to start the day for all of us and it must have a positive effect on the kids as they set off for their classrooms, ready and switched on for a new day of learning. 

Wolfing down the wine

One of the things we were looking forward to when living is Australia is wine tasting!

Why is it our favorite wine, which is from an Australian vineyard, is more expensive in Sydney than at home in England? 

UPDATE. Liquorland has Wolfblass on offer 40%off so we're good for a week!

Bronte Beach

It was a windy Sunday morning when we arrived at Bronte. You can immediately see why the beach is highlighted as a family one. The beach is wide with golden sands. Scattered along the water line are little seashells. The rocks form a natural paddling area for little legs; Above the rock pool is a large 30 meter size swimming pool cut into the ocean. Its the type of endless pool you see hanging over the ocean in the most glamorous of holiday resorts. I shivered as I watched people throw off their towels and jump in on this winters morning.  Over their heads you could see the seal like bodies of surfers waiting for their wave.

Not as brave in these temperatures as the locals obviously are, we opted for sand play rather than paddling. When the first spots of rain appeared we walked across the grass area, past the numerous picnic tables and BBQ area to the playground, . 

The playground had natural shade and the added protection of sun sails. There is different play equipment to suit different ages and a beautifully decorated octopus house. 

What you can expect: 

Sandy beach

Grass area

Free BBQs

Picnic area

Playground  

30 meter swimming pool
Rock pool

Toilets in different areas

Surf club

Beachside cafe kiosk

Row of restaurants on the street alongside the park which all looked like they served a good brunch

Benches overlooking the beach

A long coastal walk route 

First day of School

First day nerves were overflowing as we set off on foot for the short journey to school on Monday morning. There wasn't much traffic but even if there was you could've probably heard the loud heart beats or the brain waves wondering what the differences of this new school would be? What to expect? Will it be easy to make friends? Have I packed the right lunch? So many questions spinning around in my head, but it was time to put aside my feelings of unease and focus on putting my son at ease.

We arrived at school half an hour before it started as instructed. The admin team were busy with other parent queries so we sat and took in the welcoming entrance area with the large ceramic mural made by pupils of the pupils. The Principal came out and greeted us, then his new teacher led us to the classroom. He was shown his desk, given exercise books, we took in the City view from the window and introduced ourself to the fish. It was then a return to the playground for the start of the school day. And what a different start it was...

The old bell rings and the assembly begins. It takes place outside in the playground with all the kids sitting on the floor in their class rows. Parents are welcome to hang around for it. This wasn't a boring assembly where the attendees are lectured to. Greetings are said and notices are read out by the children; daily rota's are given; time for a song and then the assembly is concluded. Kids are asked to wish a good morning to their parents and head off into their classrooms.

My son was busy talking to the boy he was sitting next to. This is quite a surprise for me as he is very shy with new people. He walked right past me too immersed in his conversation to even notice me longing for a goodbye wave. Leaving me standing in an almost deserted playground feeling completely lost. Didn't he understand it was my first day of school too?!

The assembly obviously wasn't targeted just at me but as one of my first impressions of the school in action it did put me at ease. The interactive delivery of information to the kids in a relaxed atmosphere, keeping their attention, and respecting the speakers, gave me what I hope is an insight into how lessons are delivered. I felt a sense of warmth generated within the playground walls, justifying the repeated use of 'community' in the schools marketing material.

Now I just need to compose myself and fill the next 5 hours before pick up time. We'd already agreed on going for a celebratory ice-cream. I'm emotionally exhausted, I've already earnt a double scoop and it's only 9.40am. I've told myself if I can hold back the tears when I pick him up then i'll have earnt sprinkles on top of my chocolate and mango sorbet.

Bondi Beach

You may be put off visiting Bondi because of it being 'full of tourists' but there's a reason it has a lot of visitors. It is a beautiful area and a trip to Sydney will feel incomplete without a paddle in the famous waves.

If you are travelling by car there are several routes to get to Bondi Beach but if it's your first time then make sure you approach it from Bondi Road to get the biggest impact. If you are travelling by bus from Bondi Junction then you'll probably take this route. Sit on the right hand side of the bus for the best view. As you travel down the hill and turn the bend get ready for the stunning view. You can see immediately why it is a surfers paradise, but if not, then you will soon hear it as sounds of surf crashing on to the beach soon draws you in.

All thoughts of it being a tourist trap are gone. The sandy beach stretches on and on. There is a wide grass area running the length of the beach which makes a pleasant divide between the beach, the road and the shops. It has picnic tables scattered around and decorated concrete benches. The Parade is full of tempting cafes, restaurant and ice-cream parlours. The beach wall is brightly decorated with cool graffiti. There are showers and toilets along the parade, a Pavilion and a Surf Club. There's an open air pool and a kids paddling pool. The beach is an alcohol free zone which adds to the family friendly feel of it. There's even an outdoor gym. What's not to like?


We have now visited in Winter, Spring and Summer. Below is the account of our first visit and further below photos of subsequent visits. Bondi has good facilities. You can learn to surf and it hosts various festivals. Find out more at the dedicated Bondibeach website.

We first went on a Winters morning. At the beginning of the beach there was a surf competition. You couldn't miss the surfers area. Identified by a collection of marquees and a flat wall of surf boards, a PA system and half dressed surfers hanging out. Their chilled out vibe was contagious. It felt like you owed it to the spirit of the beach to relax and go with the flow.

That's exactly what we did. Off came our shoes and jackets, and we went down to the sea. My son was the first to paddle, then wanted to go in more so took off his shorts and T-shirt. My daughter didn't want to paddle but wanted to copy her brother so took off her leggins and ventured to the waters edge. Soon my son was jumping over the broken waves and shrieking with laughter. My daughter got a bit more adventurous and then too adventurous. She was running away from a wave and her feet couldn't carry her fast enough. She went face down and the little wave swept over her. Much to the delight of the watching Japanese tourists, who made her a part of their souvenir photos! Her wet clothes joined the pile of our shoes and on went my son's Tshirt as a dress for her.

There was time for a bit of sandcastle building before we dried off. Too early for lunch we went in search of a snack and stopped at the New Zealand Natural cafe for a toastie and milkshake. It took several minutes to decide on which flavour milkshake as it was made with any choice of ice-cream from the 3 counters.  The restaurants around the Pavilion are also a popular choice After our snack we walked back up the beach and checked out the skate park. Beside the big kids on their skateboards was a second lower skate park where smaller kids were riding their scooters up and down.

We didn't get as far as the beach pool on that first visit but have since walked past and will eventually get to try it out. Check out Icebergs Club for more info on the pool and restaurant.


See also The Festival of Winds held on Bondi Beach in September

Deciding whether to go in on our first visit


The result of deciding yes, let's go for a paddle when we hadn't planned it.

 
The parade wall art

Icebergs outdoor pool and restaurant

 
Winters mornings

Spring morning

A busy Summer morning

A not so busy Summer morning