South West Rocks Things To Do With Kids: Great Family Holiday Spot

South West Rocks, is it a real place on the coast of New South Wales, or a mental space of peace and calm and endless holidays?

Our family only spent three nights at South West Rocks, but we totally understand why others come back here for a week or two year after year after year.

Tranquility, simplicity, ease.… beautiful beaches, old-fashioned friendliness and service and some history over there at Trial Bay and Smoky Cape.

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Yes, the names are as evocative as the memories… and just look at that photo above of Horseshoe Bay on a winter’s day. Horseshoe Bay is right in the centre of the town, with groovy cafes and a caravan park right alongside it.

How could you not fall in love? Why would you resist?

There’s Horseshoe Bay and alongside it the long sweep of Main Beach, with very climbable rocks scattered around.

There is a playground is on the reserve in town, there are kiosks and cafes there too.

One of the most popular South West Rocks attractions is historic Smoky Cape Lighthouse, just a short drive out of town, Check the NPWS website for guided tours in school holidays.

There are cottages up there which would make a scenic place to stay too.

It’s a steep old walk up from the car park to the lighthouse.

But, man, the views are worth it.

This tiny bay and beach are incredibly pretty. I’m not sure how safe it would be for kids to swim in warmer weather as the waves were surging strongly. Perhaps safer at high tide?

But Little Cape is a marvellous place to visit, and to chill out, we voted it the prettiest of all the places to visit in South West Rocks.

And you can see kangaroos too. This mob let us watch them and seemed very relaxed with our clicking cameras.

If you are wondering what to do at South West Rocks and you like history, then beetle straight over to Trial Bay Gaol.

We do love being able to walk through history, and this gaol is well preserved and the historic information is presented well.

Of course, this is history of the more gory and gruelling kid. Ideal for my kids who love a bit of gruesome.

At sunset, because it’s beautiful.

This part of the bay looks west to where the suns sets, unusual on the east coast of Australia.

We can recommend the lovely Honey and Malt in South West Rocks itself. We enjoyed our breakfast here a lot.

And the Full Circle Eatery at Big4 Sunshine where we stayed is fabulous as it has its own enclosed playground, plus a good menu and heaps of space inside too.