Ideas for an Australian beach holiday with an eight month old

[MaggieFS]

DH and I are planning a trip to Australia to see friends in Sydney and Melbourne. As both of these stops will involve a bit of travelling around and sightseeing, we'd like to finish the trip off with a week on a beach.

Originally we'd thought about going up to Queensland as we've always wanted to go to the Barrier Reef, but as DS will be only eight months old we've ruled this out. Instead we'd ideally like somewhere which is driveable from either city so we don't have to take another flight. Probably up to four hours drive. We don't want a huge resort but do want at least a supermarket and some restaurants.

Australia is obviously huge, so before I start looking, just wondering if anyone knows anywhere which would fit the bill.

Thanks in advance,

Like this one.

Most Australians travel to Bali, Thailand or similar for beach holidays as it's cheaper.
Something you could do to break up the flight home?

You can have umbrellas on many beaches probably not the big popular touristy ones though.

Narrabeen is lovely. About and hour drive from the city but a real holiday vibe. And there is a Great Lake walk up there, a few km all boardwalks which you can take a pram on. Soft play nearby, beautiful shady parks by the beach at collaroy. At narrabeen there is also a lagoon behind the beach which has no waves so you can take the baby in the water.

And everything you need is local. Absolutely everything, there’s a huge mall not far away.

Cheapish holiday park there too. Friends who live in Sydney even went there for a break. www.nrmaparksandresorts.com.au/sydney-lakeside/accommodation-and-sites/

South coast I love Gerroa. Not as far as Jarvis Bay, but still spectacular. Close to Wollongong for medium city needs. And it feels a bit English in an odd way. South of Sydney is the area that I think is why it’s called New South Wales.

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I meant that there aren't fixed umbrellas on the beaches. You can and will probably want to take your own, or some other form of shade. I've never seen a beach where they're not allowed, but I haven't seen every beach obvs.
Loads of Aussies have beach holidays in Australia: Nelsons Bay area, Port Macquarie area, Coffs Harbour area, Merimbula, Shoalhaven Area, etc.
Caravan Parks can be really expensive in school holidays. I paid $2700 for a week two years ago at Yamba. Last year we went overseas but was $2800 just for the flights. So although I hate paying that much for a week at the beach, it still works out cheaper for me with my family. If you live in WA it's probably cheaper to pop over to Bali, like a PP said.

Narrabeen is a great idea.

Thank you. We were thinking March to avoid the worst of the summer heat.

Not expecting to be able to lie on a beach all day with DS but we'd like to be able to go in the sea, so boardwalks sound excellent as something to do with the pram.

What time of year? If winter melbourne or sydney will be useless for the beach, way too cold. You will need queensland.
Id avoid all touristy spots personally, in summer they so bloody busy. So essentially look for the touristy beach on google or whatever, then pick one just away from it, should be quieter.
If you want a few varied responses, try essentalbaby.com.au a parenting forum with a great what do you think area where you will get many responses from locals in the areas. Im from South Aus so not much help on beach names on melbourne side of australia.

March would be a perfect time to make use of the beaches in Sydney and Melbourne, or visit a beach within driving distance of Sydney like Jervis Bay. Keep in mind if going at easter time that it is the most popular time for Australians to visit places like Jervis Bay. So you may want to book accommodation in advance (you ll still find something but it may not be the best or the cheapest). March is a great time to go as the water will be warm enough to swim by then.

It will be so hot! You need somewhere with a lot of shade. The sun won't be good for your son whose body may struggle to acclimatise to the weather. Make sure you get a lot of sun proof long clothing for him

That depends on the time of year and where you are. Tasmania has a climate similar to the UK for 90% of the time.

Another vote for Manley although if you want to do the GBR Cairns is a real holiday resort with boat trips to the reef.

The boat trip splits people into two groups, one goes diving, submersible, snorkeling or beach in the morning and the other in the afternoon so if you wanted to dive you could but not with your dh.

Although you could do the submersible with a toddler. You can also take trips to the rainforest, crocodile park and meet some kangaroos.

But if you really do not want the flight Manley.

Umbrellas on beach, they not provided but you can take your own, be that umbrella, pop up marquee or tent. No rules around that in any of aus that ive ever heard of
Also check about drive on beaches if you have a hire car, much easier than lugging all your stuff over sand with a baby

beachsafe.org.au/

Damn i wish i could edit a post, apparently, according to forecasters aus in for a long hot summer, so march we may still have the 40 deg plus days. A few years back we were still getting 38 in april.

Lots of beaches have nice parks next to them and with a baby I'd suggest that is where you should sit. The actual beach can be harsh and hot. Be ready to pay a lot for parking (you can't drive on beaches.)

Also consider the harbour beaches, like Clontarf or Balmoral. The water is very calm and perfect for kids.

The weather may be variable. Warm and stormy, but could get cooler days.

There are lots of places not far from Sydney, which I'd recommend rather than flying. The central coast (look for Copacabana) is also great.
It will be lovely! Have a great time.

Thank you, this is so helpful. How long is the Easter holiday in Australia and when does it start? Easter is quite late in 2019 so we might be able to go before it gets busy.

Do you mean school holidays? As this varies from state to state. You’ll also have ANZAC day public holiday on the 25th of April.

If you are wanting beach holidays you’ll want to be Sydney and north of Sydney. I probably won’t swim at a beach in southern NSW at Easter. It till also be cold at night. And there’s not a chance I’d get into a Victoria beach in Easter. Lots of the lovely coast line in Victoria has Antartica has the next land mass.

Also if you are thinking Easter you’ll need to book accomodation early given it’s so close to Anzac Day.

www.nswschoolholiday.com.au/index.php/nsw-school-holiday-dates-2019

Maggie the most busy time is over actual Easter (good Friday - Easter Monday).

Oh just looked it up Easter is 21st of April next year so never mind!