Long Reef is an 80-hectare aquatic reserve wrapped around a grassy headland between Collaroy and Dee Why, and it's two outings in one. At low tide the wide rock platform turns into a free, open-air aquarium where kids can hunt for crabs, sea stars and anemones in every crevice, while the 3km headland loop above serves up huge ocean views, whale watching in winter and paragliders launching off the cliff. It's one of the Northern Beaches' best spots to teach little ones to look closely at nature — and put everything back.

Why We Love It

• A living rockpool ramble at low tide the platform reveals nudibranchs, octopuses, sea stars and turban snails — a real-life nature lesson with interpretive signage to explain what you're seeing.

• It's a protected no-take reserve so the marine life is unusually rich, and the 'look, don't take' rule is built into the visit.

• A 3km headland loop with formed tracks and boardwalks medium grade with only a few steps, manageable for preschoolers with a bit of help and a proper leg-stretch for older kids. It is mostly pram-friendly.

• Winter whale watching and paragliders the clifftop lookouts give a clean ocean horizon for spotting migrating whales, and the launch site is a hit with kids who love watching the gliders take off.

• Sheltered Fishermans Beach on the lee side calmer water for a paddle when the open coast is too wild for little ones.