The Best Things About Freshwater for Young Families

We loved bringing up our young family in Freshwater because so much of family life can happen on foot or by bike. You can walk or ride to the beach, the village, local parks, daycare centres, Harbord Kindy, Harbord Public School and St John’s Primary School.

Freshwater Beach is at the heart of family life here. It’s generally a safe, protected beach and is particularly good for young families and beginner surfers. Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club has also been a huge part of our family life. All of our kids did Nippers there, two have gone on to become coaches, and we both patrol. It’s a wonderful way for kids — and parents — to become part of the local community.

There are some great parks for younger kids. Jacka Park was always one of our favourites, along with the beachside playgrounds, which have recently been upgraded. The playground on Kooloora Avenue is now fenced, which makes for a much more relaxing trip to the park if you happen to have a toddler who is a runner!

Everyday shopping is incredibly easy. The IGA in Freshwater Village is surprisingly well stocked for a small supermarket and seems to have just about everything you need. If you simply need to grab some meat or veggies for dinner, the local shops on Harbord Road are another convenient option — and you can pop in and see Kamal at Shelley’s Pharmacy for anything you need while you’re there.

There are plenty of childcare and schooling options close to home. Freshwater has three long daycare centres, and our kids loved going to Harbord Community Kindergarten from around 3½ to 5 years old. We also loved being able to walk our children to Harbord Public School. St John’s Primary School provides another local option for families looking for a Catholic education or a smaller school environment.

Most of all, we love the Freshwater community. Being able to walk to the beach, school, kindy, parks and shops isn’t just convenient — it means you’re constantly bumping into your children’s friends, other parents and neighbours along the way. Over time, those everyday interactions create a genuine sense of belonging.

For us, that combination of beach, walkability, great local schools and a strong community is what made Freshwater such a special place to raise our family.