The park is split into separate parts around the harbour, and each part runs on its own rules, so choose one before you plan the day.
On the shore at Vaucluse, Nielsen Park has large sheltered picnic areas, wide lawns and Shark Beach for a swim; check the latest Beachwatch water quality forecast before the kids go in. The Nielsen cafe there does coffee and ice cream. Shakespeares Point, within Nielsen Park, closes between Christmas Day and New Year.
Out on the water, Shark Island – Boowambillee is where children can poke around the foreshore and the grottos built by hand in the early 1900s, looking for tide pool creatures. Bookings in advance are essential for Shark Island. Captain Cook Cruises runs a service there during school holidays only; private boats can drop off and pick up but may not moor. The catch: Shark Island has no barbecue facilities, so you carry in everything for the day. On Clark Island, the list of what to bring starts with drinking water, a hat and sunscreen, and visitor numbers are capped per group and for the island as a whole. Rodd Island is a popular site, so book ahead there as well.
