South Curl Curl on Sydney's northern beaches is so family-friendly.

South Curly has a special wee place in my heart. My big boys used to do Nippers there every Sunday when they were little.

Nippers is such a great way to force yourself up and out of the house on a Sunday morning, and down to the briny ocean.

But then there was Saturday sport, and we just needed a wee break from early starts seven days a week.

So we just go for fun now.

South Curl Curl Beach

Carrington Parade, Curl Curl 2096

Curl Curl is a classic northern beaches ocean beach, backed by scrub-covered sand dunes with a reserve behind the dunes.  At the southern end os South Curl Curl, with its very beautiful life saving club and child-friendly areas.

The great thing for children here is the huge rockpool which is a short, easy walk along a path from the carpark.

The pool is divided into a lap section and a shallower section for children, and there’s a large rock platform in the middle.

Nearby on the beach are rocky areas that are excellent for exploring. The beach is also fairly sheltered at this end and so you’ll see many young families there, beach tents up.

Of course, when the waves are big, you need to be terribly careful at the sea pool, and it’s also important to keep an eye on wandering children as there are very appealing cliffs and rock platforms to the south of the rockpool.

Cafes: Kiosk and cafe at South Curl Curl Surf Lifesaving Club.

Toilets: Toilet, shower and change block at clubhouse and also at the rockpool

Shade: None on the beach, one bench under shade by the rockpool P

Playground: No

Ocean pool: Yes, excellent for children

Shark net: No

Mum’s report: If the rock pool was shaded we’d never go anywhere else!

Extra: The lovely wooden boardwalk that stretches along the cliffside all the way to .  Nippers of course, at South Curl Curl SLSC.

Map reference: Gregory’s 258 K15, Sydway 239 H14, UBD 178 E15 See Google map below.

Parking: Pay carpark beside surf-lifesaving club off Carrington, also parking along Carrington Parade.

Bus stop nearby: Yes

Looking across the rockpool to the surf life saving club

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This is an extract from Sydney For Under Fives!