Delight in the sights of Pittwater these school holidays with our handy guide
The winter break is the perfect time to rediscover Pittwater, so rug up and read on for our top five ideas to keep the kids busy these school holidays.
Take a ferry to the Central Coast
Hop on a ferry from Palm Beach to the Central Coast – it’s faster than trundling up the Pacific Highway and the journey is a lot more scenic!
Ferries run to Ettalong stopping in Wagstaffe, all day every day.
The ferry to Wagstaffe takes just 20 minutes, and from there to Ettalong it’s 10 minutes. You can even bring your pooch or your bike (extra charge).
Fantasea Cruising also operate the Palm Beach Hopper, where you can explore Pittwater with a 24- or 48-hour pass, hopping on and off at up to eight destinations as much as you like. Along with the Central Coast service, you can take the service from Palm Beach to Bennetts Wharf, Bonnie Doon, The Basin, Currawong and Mackerel Beach, stopping along the way to explore the natural beauty.
A 24-hour pass costs $26 for a child and $40 for an adult with family pass for $106.
Visit palmbeachferries.com.au for details.
Barrenjoey Lighthouse tour
Take a guided tour of Barrenjoey Lighthouse one Sunday and enjoy the spectacular views from Sydney’s most northern point while learning about the history of the lighthouse.
You can leave the car at Governor Phillip parking area and walk about 1km to get to the lighthouse using one of two walking tracks. It takes about 40 minutes. Toilets and drinking water are located at Governor Phillip parking area. The 30 minute tours run on the hour between 11am and 3pm, there is no wheelchair access, and the tour is suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Note that there are some steep sections though and there are internal stairs in the lighthouse, so wear comfortable shoes.
Tours cost $5 per child and $10 per adult and can be booked at nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
Coastal art walk
Get some fresh air, enjoy a nice winter walk and discover inspiring art along the way.
The Aboriginal Art & Storytelling Project shares the stories of Northern Beaches Aboriginal peoples through artworks along the 36km Coast Walk, from Palm Beach to Manly.
Whale Songs, at Long Reef Headland in Collaroy and Barrenjoey Road in Avalon, represents the significance of whales in Aboriginal culture,
Oyster Shells –Middens is at Narrabeen Park Parade in North Narrabeen; and A Garigal Welcome to Country at Mona Vale SLSC is based on the rock engravings in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and represents the markings of the traditional Ku-ring- gai peoples. And don’t miss Ocean Dreaming at Long Reef SLSC, which draws on the local environment with designs embedded into concrete seating via a process of cast concrete.
Weaving Stories workshops
Mona Vale Library is holding three Weaving Stories workshops on 8 July during NAIDOC Week. Children can learn the art of traditional weaving during a workshop with local artist Josie Dowd, a Noongar basket weaver, belonging to the Menang, Gitja, and Wangai nations of Noongar Boodjar (Noongar Country, Western Australia).
The free workshops are suitable for children over eight years old and will allow them to hear stories and celebrate First Nations culture and heritage, while exploring their own creativity.
Visit the council website for details.
Explore the coastal environment
The Coastal Environment Centre (CEC) at Lake Park Road in Narrabeen offers a school holiday program, teaching children about the nature.
The program this winter runs from 7 to 16 July and includes Ocean Giants Discovery, Backyard Bash, Bug Bonanza, Coastbusters, Fossil Fun, The Mighty Whale Quest and more!
Become an eco-sleuth, make seed bombs and explore animal anatomy.
The holiday program is suitable for children aged six (who have started school) to 12 years.
Programs cost $79 per program per child and generally run from 10am to 3pm (unless otherwise noted). Visit the council website for details.
