Pacific Palms with Kids: 15 Things to Do on a Family Holiday
Looking for a family holiday where the days are easy, the beaches are beautiful and there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained? Pacific Palms is made for family getaways.
Stretching across some of the Barrington Coast’s most beautiful coastal spots, Pacific Palms brings together long sandy beaches, calm lakes, national park adventures and laid-back places to eat. Whether your family loves swimming and surfing, exploring outdoors or simply spending the day barefoot by the water, you’ll find plenty to do.
Even better, you don’t need to pack every minute of your holiday with activities. Some of the best Pacific Palms family memories are made with a bucket and spade, a picnic on the sand or a sunset walk.
Here are 15 things to do on your next family holiday.
1. Spend the day at Blueys Beach
Start with one of the area’s most popular family beaches. Blueys Beach is a beautiful stretch of sand where kids can run, swim, build sandcastles and enjoy the freedom of a proper beach day.
Bring the beach toys, pack a picnic and settle in for the day. Older kids can try their hand at surfing, while younger children can enjoy playing along the shoreline.
And when everyone needs a break from the sand, Blueys has cafés and places to grab a bite nearby.
2. Have a family surf at Boomerang Beach
If your kids are keen to get in the water, head to Boomerang Beach for some family surfing.
It’s a favourite with local surfers and a great place to watch the waves even if you’re not ready to get on a board. Older kids and confident swimmers can enjoy the surf, while little ones can play on the sand and explore the shoreline.
For first-time surfers, consider booking a local lesson and let an experienced instructor show the kids the ropes.
3. Swim in the calm waters of Smiths Lake
Not every day needs to be about waves.
Smiths Lake is a wonderful option when the family wants calmer water and a change of scenery. Bring your inflatables, kayaks or paddleboards and spend a few hours enjoying the lake.
It’s also a beautiful place for a picnic, with plenty of opportunities to simply relax and watch the kids enjoy the water.
4. Explore Booti Booti National Park
Trade the beach towel for walking shoes and explore Booti Booti National Park.
The national park surrounds much of the Pacific Palms area and offers spectacular coastal scenery, forest and walking tracks. Choose a shorter, family-friendly walk or set off on an adventure with older kids.
Keep an eye out for native birds and wildlife along the way, and don’t forget the camera.
5. Discover Elizabeth Beach
For another classic Pacific Palms beach day, make your way to Elizabeth Beach.
Backed by the greenery of Booti Booti National Park, Elizabeth Beach is a beautiful place to swim, play and enjoy a picnic with the family.
Pack plenty of snacks, sunscreen and beach toys and make a morning of it.
6. Go for a family bike ride
Bring the bikes or hire them locally and explore Pacific Palms on two wheels.
A family bike ride is an easy way to see more of the area without having to spend the whole day in the car. Take a leisurely ride around the local streets, stop for a coffee or ice cream and let the kids enjoy exploring at their own pace.
For younger children, check local conditions and choose quieter routes away from traffic.
7. Go wildlife spotting
Pacific Palms is surrounded by beautiful natural environments, making it a fantastic destination for kids who love animals.
Look for colourful birds around the lakes and bushland, keep an eye out for goannas and other native wildlife, and head to the coastline to see what you can spot in the water.
Depending on the season, you may even see whales travelling along the coast.
Turn it into a family challenge: who can spot the most different species during your holiday?
8. Pack a picnic and find a beautiful view
Sometimes the simplest activities are the ones kids remember.
Put together a picnic with some local goodies, grab a rug and head to one of Pacific Palms’ beautiful outdoor spots.
Let the kids run around, play games and explore while the adults enjoy the scenery. With beaches, lakes and national park landscapes all around you, finding a picturesque picnic spot isn’t difficult.
9. Go kayaking or paddleboarding
Get everyone out on the water with a kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding adventure.
The area’s lakes and waterways provide plenty of opportunities for families to enjoy being on the water, with calm conditions in the right locations making it an enjoyable activity for older children.
Don’t have your own equipment? Look into local operators offering equipment hire and guided experiences.
10. Make a morning of it at a local café
A family holiday doesn’t have to mean cooking breakfast every morning.
Head out for coffee and breakfast at one of the local cafés around Pacific Palms, then wander down to the beach afterwards.
For parents, it’s a chance to enjoy a proper coffee. For the kids, it’s an excuse to start the day with pancakes, toast or something delicious before heading off on the next adventure.
11. Go beachcombing
Give the kids a bucket and see what treasures they can discover along the shoreline.
Beachcombing is a great low-cost holiday activity — and you don’t need anything more than a few hours and a little imagination.
Look for interesting shells, driftwood and other natural treasures, while reminding little explorers to leave living creatures and protected wildlife where they belong.
You can even turn it into a photography challenge and see who can capture the best beach find.
12. Have a sunset beach walk
After dinner, head back to the beach for a family sunset walk.
The coastline around Pacific Palms is particularly beautiful as the afternoon light begins to fade. Let the kids burn off some energy running along the sand while you enjoy the view.
Bring a jumper, grab an ice cream if you’re nearby and make the most of those long holiday evenings.
13. Spend a rainy day playing at your holiday home
Not every holiday day will be sunny — and that’s okay.
One of the benefits of booking a holiday home is having space for the whole family to spread out. Stock up on snacks, bring a few favourite board games and settle in for a relaxed afternoon.
Choose a property with a comfortable living space, outdoor area or even a pool and you can turn a rainy day into part of the holiday.
Sometimes doing absolutely nothing is exactly what everyone needs.
14. Take a day trip to Forster-Tuncurry
When you’re ready to explore beyond Pacific Palms, Forster-Tuncurry is an easy addition to your family itinerary.
Spend the day discovering the beaches, cafés, waterways and attractions around the twin towns. Depending on the kids’ ages and interests, you can swim, explore, enjoy fish and chips or simply wander around and take in the coastal scenery.
It’s an easy way to add something different to your holiday without travelling too far.
15. Finish the day with fish and chips by the water
Because no family beach holiday is complete without fish and chips.
Pick up dinner locally, find a spot near the water and enjoy an easy meal while the kids play and the sun goes down.
No cooking. No washing up. Just good food, sandy feet and another beautiful Pacific Palms evening.
Make your next family holiday a Pacific Palms escape
From swimming and surfing to lake adventures, bushwalks, wildlife spotting and lazy afternoons at the beach, Pacific Palms makes it easy to keep the whole family entertained.
The best part? You can create your own pace. Spend one day exploring from morning until sunset, then spend the next relaxing at your holiday home with nowhere you need to be.
Whether you’re planning a school holiday escape, a long weekend or a summer beach getaway, Pacific Palms Holidays has a range of holiday homes to suit families of all sizes.
Find your perfect Pacific Palms family getaway and start planning your next beach holiday.