Maianbar, Royal National Park

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About an hour and a quarter south of Sydney CBD, Maianbar feels like a world away. Indeed, it is just like being on a beach holiday without having to leave home.



What is perfect about Maianbar is its abundance of sand banks and shallow waterholes with warm knee-deep water for babies and toddlers to happily splash about.



If you are lucky or plan your trip to get there at low tide, the sand banks may be teeming with little soldier crabs.



There is nothing cuter than watching your baby squeal with delight as yet another crab evades them. If it is too sunny or hot, the crabs may be taking shelter underground, but I have never been to Maianbar without seeing at least several little crabs. I have also spotted yabbies and larger crabs, as well as schools of little fish in the clear water.




Another reason why Maianbar is perfect for toddlers is that it is a very open and flat space so you can let your kids run and run while being able to keep an eye on them.

Also worth exploring is Cabbage Tree Basin, and you can walk across to Bundeena and enjoy the various bushwalks which originate from there, such as the Bundeena to Jibbon Head Circuit , which we have done with small children under 4. It is an easy walk and doesn't take too long, with interesting beaches to explore on the way.

Maianbar is surrounded by the Royal National Park but you do not need a pass to enter nor do you need to pay for a permit to park near access to the beach.

Getting there
Location

By car, it takes around 1hr 15 mins from Sydney CBD, or it is a 20 minute ride across Port Hacking between Cronulla and Bundeena (the next village).

Parking and Facilities
Head for Pacific Crescent, then there is a turnoff to a parking lot near a childs' playground, from which you can access the beach. There is a tap in the parking lot which is handy for rinsing sand off, but no toilets.

There is one little store in Maianbar (at the intersection opposite the parking lot) but no other shops or cafes. We usually bring our own food.

Tips: Remember to bring a little bucket and spade for the kids.

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