Sydney kid friendly places to eat for Australia Day
There’s plenty of choice when it comes to dining out with kids on Australia Day in Sydney, from beachside dining, to top floors with views, and a wealth of shady beer gardens. Take a look at our top ten favourites here.
The Newport on Pittwater – Newport
The Merrivale Newport is a delightful venue, and well worth the drive from the CBD. It offers an abundance of indoor and shaded outdoor eating areas with beautifully landscaped terraces overlooking the water, and an indoor play room with large-scale games, including a giant scrabble board on the wall with a ladder to climb and several table tennis tables. There’s no doubting The Newport is kid friendly, and with a range of delicious menus it’s adult-friendly too!
Address: 2 Kalinya Street, Newport
Ph: (02) 9114 7337
Website: The Newport
Coogee Pavilion – Coogee
The Coogee Pavilion is a huge venue with the ground floor dedicated to family, food and fun. With a great menu including breakfasts, share platters, pizzas and kids meals, they provide entertainment in the form of a ‘nostalgic games arena’ with giant games, table tennis and even a mini theatre. There’ll be plenty of family fun to be had here on Australia Day.
Address: 169 Dolphin Street, Coogee
Ph: (02) 9664 2900
Website: Coogee Pavilion
Australian Museum – Sydney
The Australian Museum is open every day except Christmas Day, and the fourth floor café, No.1 William, offers breakfast, lunch, and spectacular views! You don’t have to visit the museum to dine at the café, but with so many great exhibits to see, why wouldn’t you?
Address: 1 William Street, Sydney
Ph: (02) 9320 6000
Website: Australian Museum
Ettamogah Hotel – Kellyville
The vibrant atmosphere will be even livelier on Australia Day, with live music and entertainment to get you in a celebratory mood. This iconic pub is almost a theme park for kids, with a play gym for little ones, a jumping castle, arcade, and even a rock-climbing wall. There’s plenty of space inside and out, and plenty of choice on the menu. Bookings recommended for Australia Day.
Address: Cnr Merrivale and Windsor Roads, Kellyville Ridge
Ph: (02) 9629 1130
Greystanes Hotel – Graystanes
Beer garden, playground, family courtyard, and lots of space for a family Australia Day celebration with a drop of your favourite Australian wine. There are separate play areas for younger and older children, and two sizes of kids meals to suit big or little appetites. The outdoor dining areas are shaded and located close to the playground so that grown-ups can watch the kids play while they relax.
Address: 701 Merrylands Road, Greystanes
Ph: (02) 9631 2266
The Fiddler – Rouse Hill
The Fiddler has undergone an identity change and is now a classy family-friendly pub with a outdoor playground, café, bar and restaurant. The meals are reasonably priced and kids meals include an ice-cream and soft drink. The Fiddler is a large venue with several seating areas and dining options.
Address: Cnr Commercial Road and Windsor Road, Rouse Hill
Ph: (02) 9629 4811
The Belrose Hotel – Belrose
The Belrose Hotel welcomes kids, with a soft indoor jungle-gym playground, special kids menu, and kids activity packs available to purchase. They’ll be celebrating Australia Day with a party atmosphere over the entire Australia Day long weekend!
Address: 5 Hews Parade, Belrose
Ph: (02) 9451 8585
The Henson – Marrickville
If you love healthy organic free-range and hormone free food, this is the pub venue for you! The kids’ menu serves the usual burger and nuggets with chips on the side, but also includes veggie spring rolls, rainbow salad and toasties, and all kids meals are served with a healthy side of grapes.
There’s a decidedly Asian feel to the main menu but if that’s not to your taste you can still get your burgers. The veue has a leafy beer garden with a children’s idea (with ball pit!), making it a great place to relax on Australia Day.
Address: 91 Illawarra Road, Marrickville
Ph: (02) 9569 5858
The Greens – North Sydney
This is a bowling green with a difference – it has a very lively atmosphere! Wonderfully spacious, both inside and out, with a huge beer garden and a café-bar-restaurant menu. Breakfast is served on weekends only, but lunch and dinner every other day. There’s no playground but if you have older children that don’t need close supervision they’ll find plenty of space to run and play.
Address: 50 Ridge Street, North Sydney
Ph: (02) 9245 3099
The Backyard – Concord
The Backyard at Briars has all you need to exhaust those energetic kids on Australia Day – an enormous backyard with basketball hoops, AstroTurf playing field, and all the balls you’ll need! Plus there’s a small undercover playing area if the weather isn’t too good.
The kids’ menu offers a bigger range than most venues and there’s always something happening to entertain them. Trust us on this one; this venue is 100% about the family, so if you’re planning a big Australia Day family gathering, give them a call and book your spot now!
Address: 14 Ian Parade, Concord
Ph: (02) 9743 1907
Melbourne kid friendly places to eat for Australia Day
You can enjoy an Australia Day celebration with the family in a choice of great locations in Melbourne, from riverside cafes to beachside pubs. Where will you choose?
Templestowe Hotel – Templestowe Lower
One of the most kid-friendly venues in Australia! There’s often entertainment provided for the kids, and always activities for kids to do, from the playground and games to colouring in. There’s no set menu for children because they have full access to the kids’ buffet, and the menu for adults covers a range of Australian and international culinary favourites.
Address: 23 Parker Street, Templestowe Lower
Ph: (03) 9850 4866
Chelsea Heights Hotel – Chelsea Heights
You can enjoy a fabulous Australia Day meal at the spacious Chelsea Heights Hotel while the kids go wild on the huge indoor playground with arcade games and Playstations. The kid’s menu has their pub favourites and there’s heaps of choice for the grown ups too.
Address: Cnr Springvale Road and Wells Road, Chelsea Heights
Ph: (03) 9773 4453
Matthew Flinders Hotel – Chadstone
Big kids and little kids will love Matthew Flinders Hotel. The hotel has a huge entertainment and games room with arcade favourites, air hockey, and even ten-pin bowling lanes (all additional costs), and has recently opened an indoor playground for younger kids too.
Address: 667 Warrigal Road, Chadstone
Ph: (03) 9568 8004
Zagames’ Boronia Hotel – Boronia
That kids are welcome here is evident in the extensive kids’ menu offered. Children are clearly no afterthought, with small and large meals available to suit most dietary needs, plus a selection of vegan options and healthier alternatives and all available for children up to 13 years old.
Adults are also spoiled for choice with a great range of culinary flavours on the menu. Zagame’s has a huge indoor play area suitable for children aged 2-12, so even if you don’t make it here on Australia Day, you should definitely add it to your to-do list.
Address: 112 Boronia Road, Boronia
Ph: (03) 9762 0883
Portsea Hotel – Portsea
If you want to indulge in fresh air and ocean breezes on Australia Day, then the drive out to the Portsea Hotel is well worth it. About a 90-minute drive from Melbourne CBD, the Portsea Hotel sits on a bluff above the beach, and has ample indoor and outdoor seating with a beer garden for the kids to run in. The kids menu is pretty basic, but the location and scenery will make this Australia Day seen like a mini holiday!
Address: 3746 Point Nepean Road, Portsea
Ph: (03) 5984 2213
Munich Brauhaus – South Wharf
OK, a German Brauhaus doesn’t exactly scream “Australia”, but this place is heaps of fun for the whole family – just swap the lederhosen for singlets and boardies and give it a go! The Bavarians Munich Brauhaus makes the Australia Day list because it’s so family friendly, with a great menu for big kids and little kids alike, and a lively fun atmosphere.
Address: 45 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf, Melbourne
Ph: 1300 686 424
Collingswood Children’s Farm Café – Abbotsford
If you fancy a relaxed Australia Day in semi-rural tranquillity, The Farm Café is ready to welcome you. Spend the day with the farm animals amongst the stables and paddocks and enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch in the café, or pre-book a scrummy picnic basket and find your own peaceful haven to spread out the supplied rug. This is one place you’ll want to visit again and again.
Address: Collingswood Children’s Farm, 18 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford
Ph: (03) 9415 6581
Fairfield Park Boathouse & Tea Gardens – Fairfield
This is a beautiful location the kids will love, and it has more than a hint of nostalgia to tempt the grown-ups too. Choose from the delicious a la carte menu or pick a tasty fresh-baked treat from the tearoom menu – this venue is spacious, welcoming and licensed. There are coin-operated rides for the kids and boats are available for hire to enjoy a leisurely drift down the river. Highchairs are available but limited, so it’s advised that you book ahead if a highchair is required. Well-behaved dogs are also welcome. What a gorgeous place to spend Australia Day!
Address: Fairfield Park Drive, Fairfield
Ph: (03) 9486 1501
Republica – St Kilda
If you’re looking for a little sand and surf with your Australia Day meal, then you’ve got it all at Republica. Set right by the beach, this spacious venue has indoor and outdoor seating areas and a small but well-priced kids menu. You can relax here from morning until sunset while the kids enjoy all that the beach has to offer!
Address: 10-18 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda Sea Baths
Ph: (03) 8598 9055
Brisbane kid friendly places to eat for Australia Day
Here are the best places to eat out with kids on Australia Day this year.
*Editor’s Australia Day meal pick
Phat Elephant – Brisbane City
If you are planning a day out in Brisbane city, add the Phat Elephant to your lunch or dinner time plans! Located at the upper level of Post Office Square, Phat Elephant offers a casual blend of authentic Thai street food with relaxed sit-down dining, offering a vast range of dishes for a reasonable price point.
We were recently hosted by then to experience their family friendly dining and we were pleasantly surprised by their range of dishes to suit all range of taste buds (including Miss 8 who can be quite fussy!)
We enjoyed starters of satay skewers, money bags, spring rolls and dumplings and mains of currys (green thai was a bit too spicy for Master 10) and pork belly and beef massaman and Thai salads.
Their staff are super lovely and attentive, the food delicious (and really quite genuine)… If you are a fan of genuine flavours and quality ingredients, add the Phat Elephant to your ‘eating out with kids’ bucket list!
The Bavarians – South Bank
The Bavarians is another amazing family friendly restaurant you should consider going to this Australia Day. The wonderful German food gives an almighty twist to Australia Day. The wonderful dough pretzels are an amazing taste, kids will love them.
Opening Hours: Saturday and Monday : 11am – late
Address: 153 Stanley St South Brisbane
Ph: 07 9259 5600
The Bavarians – Chermside
The Bavarians is another amazing family friendly restaurant you should consider going to this Australia Day. The wonderful German food gives an almighty twist to Australia Day. The wonderful dough pretzels are an amazing taste, kids will love them.
Opening Hours: Saturday and Monday : 11am – late
Address: Gympie Rd, Chermside Brisbane
Ph: 07 9259 5600
Hog’s Breath Cafes across Brisbane
With heaps of destinations across Brisbane, you can find one nearest to you! Kids eat absolutely FREE on Monday’s and Tuesday. Overall, Hogs Breath Cafe is an amazing place for you to take your kids this Australia Day!
Victoria Park
Spend the weekend surrounded by relaxing views of Brisbane’s city skyline and the rolling green hils of the golf course while you enjoy time with family and friends. The Victoria Park Bistro is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner serving their fresh summer menu with Aussie twists! Bookings highly recommended.
Australia Day weekend activities:
- Aussie lawn games including tug-of-war and sack races + GIANT games 10am – 5:30pm
- Jumping castle 10am – 5:30pm
- Kids face painting 10:30am – 1:30pm
- Live music 12pm – 5:30pm
- Market carts 9am – 2pm
Special Aussie lunch & dinner menu:
- Grilled beef burger, pineapple and beetroot relish
- Slow roasted lamb shoulder with mint sauce
- BBQ meat lovers Pizza
- Pavlova with mango and raspberries, fresh cream and mint
- Full Bistro a la carte menu also available
- Kid’s menu available
Free parking on-site for all guests is available and Victoria Park’s fun 18 hole Putt Putt course and Driving Range will also be open all day.
Address: 309 Herston Road, Herston
Ph: 07 3252 0666
Adelaide kid friendly places to eat for Australia Day
In Adelaide we’re lucky to have so much great local produce, with some of the best wines, dairy and seafood in the world from the Fleurieu Peninsula to the Barossa Valley and the Gulf, and it’s wonderful to see so many restaurants and pubs making use of this local abundance in their meals. Here’s where you and your family can enjoy a meal of delicious local Aussie produce this Australia Day.
Victory Hotel – Sellicks Beach
The Victory Hotel was established as a coaching inn in 1858 and maintains a lot of its old world charm. Located amidst vineyards with ocean views and set within its own open grassy areas, it’s a beautiful venue for cosy indoor dining or meals outside in the beer garden while the children run and play. Their menu has plenty of choice with a great range of kids meals and locally sourced produce. A great choice for Australia Day!
Address: Main South Road, Sellicks Hill
Ph: 08 8556 3083
The Rezz – Newton
The Rezz Hotel has over 150 years of history, beginning life as a working mans’ pub before evolving into the family-friendly café, bar and restaurant on the threshold of yet another major restyling. The Rezz has a huge community focus on family with three secure play areas monitored by cameras and broadcast to screens in the dining areas, so you can keep an eye on your children whilst enjoying your meal. The kids’ menu includes a drink and desert with the meal, and the adults are spoilt for choice with the menus provided. Dine inside or out in the beautiful Adelaide foothills.
Address: 20 Hamilton Terrace, Newton
Ph: 08 8330 6340
The Summit Café – Mt Lofty
It’s a little more expensive than your average pub meal, but the views are spectacular! A drive to the summit of Adelaide’s highest peak, with a leisurely lunch overlooking your own slice of Australia, followed by a bush walk or a look at the displays in the visitor centre and gift shop – what a perfect way to spend Australia Day!
Address: Mt Lofty Summit Road, Crafers
Ph: 08 8339 2600
Cleland Wildlife Park – Crafers
When looking for places to eat out with kids a wildlife park might not be the first option to spring to mind, but spending Australia Day amongst our Aussie wildlife icons and enjoying a meal of locally sourced Australian produce in the delightful café is a wonderfully relaxing way to celebrate being Australian.
The café has a children’s menu (our kids always go for their frog-in-the-pond!) and is licenced for the grown-ups. Note: as this is a wildlife park, additional entry fees apply.
Address: 365 Mt Lofty Summit Road, Crafers
Ph: 08 8339 2444
The Lighthouse Wharf Hotel – Port Adelaide
Situated on the Port River, The Lighthouse Wharf Hotel in Port Adelaide offers good pub food including options for gluten free, vegetarian and vegan, and a small selection of kid’s meals. There’s a beer garden for al fresco dining and if you’re lucky you might spot one of the famous resident Port River dolphins playing nearby.
Address: 1 Commercial Road, Port Adelaide
Ph: (08) 8447 1580
Whipped Bake Bar Café – Semaphore
Deceiving on the outside, Whipped is much bigger inside than it looks! Serving breakfast and lunch every day of the year except Christmas Day, you can pop in for a delicious light meal or just a coffee and cake before heading across the road to Semaphore Beach to enjoy the rides, entertainment and fireworks at the Australia Day Semaphore Summer Carnival. Note: Whipped does not take bookings on weekends and public holidays, but offers walk-in service.
Address: 35 Semaphore Road, Semaphore
Ph: (08) 8242 3000
50SixOne – Adelaide – PERMANANTLY CLOSED
50SixOne is 100% pure WOW! Not only do they have an amazing (and huge) breakfast and lunch menu, but they also have the best shakes and desserts IN THE WORLD! Seriously, you’ll think you’ve died and been transported to Willy Wonka’s Thickshake Heaven. There’s a kids’ menu with meals starting at $10, and the regular menu is extensive enough to have something for everyone, but the drinks and desserts menu will blow your mind!
We’ve included 50SixOne on King William Street because it’s ideally situated for the Australia Day Parade, which proceeds down King William Street from 6pm on its way to Elder Park for the family concert and fireworks, but you can find another 50SixOne restaurant at Prospect, and the brand new Henley Beach restaurant opens on January 25, 2019!
Address: 144A King William Road, Hyde Park
Ph: (08) 8271 2003
Auchendarroch House – Mount Barker
Auchadarroch House in the Adelaide Hills is a historic venue revamped into a hotel, restaurant, bar and cinema. On Australia Day they will be hosting a lunch and entertainment on their beautifully landscaped lawn with a sausage sizzle and meals available from the café restaurant, plus a whole heap of FREE activities to enjoy, including inflatable obstacle course, petting farm, mini golf and more.
Address: 17 Adelaide Road, Mount Barker
Ph: (08) 8391 2777
Patch Kitchen & Garden – Stirling
Patch Kitchen & Garden is a wonderful little (in a big way!) venue in the Adelaide Hills. Families are welcomed with several indoor and outdoor play areas for kids, including a dining room with toys, books, and chalkboards. The kid’s menu has breakfasts and lunches for little ones with plenty of choice, and the meals on the main menu have something for everyone. Patch Kitchen & Garden is open on Australia Day but recommends bookings to avoid disappointment.
Address: 143 Mt Barker Road, Stirling
Ph: (08) 8339 8087
The Gully – Tea Tree Gully
The Gully prides itself on its family friendly atmosphere, and it often plays host to special classes and events for little ones. Head here on Australia Day and you’re assured of a warm welcome for you and the kiddies. The Gully is very spacious and has a lovely beer garden for al fresco dining.
Address: 1349 North East Road, Tea Tree Gully
Ph: (08) 8397 4300
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