You may think that beaches are out of bounds during winter but they are great natural playgrounds. And for some kids, including my own, they like to swim through summer and winter. So be sure to pack parkas and swimmers – you just never know.

Our favourite beaches to visit in winter include:

1. Scarborough Beach

This long beach takes you through a range of terrains. As you head north, you’ll find numerous rock formations, each of which we have affectionately called spaceship rock, train rock and cave rock – very imaginative. My kids absolutely love pottering around this beach. 

2. Coalcliff

A visit to Leeder Park always ends up with my kids half dressed in the Coalcliff rockpool. The views are stunning up the coast so I love taking the kids down there to search for critters. We once saw an octopus!

3. Sharky Beach, Coledale

We love to get breaky takeaway from Earth Walker and Co. and sit at Sharkys. We then inevitably move down to the beach, wandering north over the rocks and popping back out at Coledale Rock Pool. It's a nice easy, yet stimulating walk for the fam bam.