Making the Most of Coastal Family Holidays: Outdoor Activities, Packing Tips and Hydration Essentials

You know the moment. It’s 3pm on day two of the beach holiday, someone’s crying over a lost bucket, the youngest is pink across the shoulders, and you’re wondering why you didn’t just stay home with the air con.

I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit. After a lot of summers on the NSW South Coast with three kids in tow, I’ve worked out that a good coastal trip comes down to three things: where you stay, what you do, and what you pack (water included). Here’s what actually works for us.

Pick a base that does half the work for you

The right spot means fewer car trips and less wrangling. When we booked our first round of Bermagui family holidays, the big win was being able to walk to the beach, the shops and the harbour without loading everyone into the car.

Before you book anywhere on the coast, check for:

• A sheltered swimming spot nearby. Bermagui’s Horseshoe Bay is calm enough for toddlers on most days, and the Blue Pool gives older kids a safe ocean swim.
• Shade at the accommodation. A cabin or site with a covered deck saves you through the hottest part of the day.
• A rainy-day backup. Even in January, the South Coast throws in a grey day. Bermagui families tend to head to the fishermen’s wharf or the local cafes.

One family we met on that trip had booked a cheaper place 20 minutes inland. By day three they’d spent more on fuel and takeaway than they’d saved. Bermagui family holidays work best when the coast is right on your doorstep.

Outdoor activities that keep everyone happy

The trick is mixing big outings with low-effort fun, and doing the active stuff early before the sun gets fierce.

Morning: get moving

• Rock pool hunts at low tide. Check the tide times the night before. Give each kid a list (one crab, one starfish, something purple) and they’ll stay busy for an hour.
• Short coastal walks. Pick tracks under 3 km for little legs, and promise a treat at the end. Works every time.
• Fishing off the wharf. A cheap handline from the local servo is all you need.

Afternoon: slow it down

When it’s hot, head for the shade. Our go-to is painting “kindness rocks” to leave along the beach path. I borrowed the idea from these camping crafts for kids, and it’s now a family tradition.

Evening: back on the sand

Late afternoon is perfect for beach cricket, sandcastle comps and a fish and chip dinner on the grass.

Pack smart and keep everyone hydrated

The beach bag that actually works

After years of overpacking, this is my short list:

• Long-sleeve rashies and wide-brim hats for everyone
• SPF 50+ sunscreen, reapplied every two hours (set a phone alarm)
• A pop-up beach tent for naps and snacks
• A spare set of dry clothes in a zip-lock bag
• A few silly summer jokes saved on your phone for the drive home

Don’t forget the water

This is the one most of us get wrong. Kids rarely say they’re thirsty until they’re already flat, cranky or complaining of a headache. Here’s what helps:

• One bottle per person, named. No more arguing over whose is whose.
• Freeze half the bottles overnight. They melt slowly and stay cold till lunch.
• Pack watery snacks. Watermelon, oranges and cucumber sticks all count.
• Check wee colour. Pale is good; dark means drink up.

On really hot days, plain water sometimes isn’t enough, especially after hours of swimming and sweating. I keep a few sachets of daily hydration electrolytes in the beach bag for the adults, and check the label for age guidance before giving any to the kids. Adding daily hydration electrolytes to my afternoon water bottle has made a real difference to how I feel by dinnertime.

Before you hit the road

You don’t need a perfect plan, just a few good habits. Tonight, pick one thing from each section: book somewhere walkable, check the tide times for your first morning, and fill (and freeze) the water bottles. Do those three and you’ll spend far less time managing meltdowns, and a lot more time actually enjoying the sand.