Charles Sturt

Charles Sturt Family

From free library sessions and term-time playgroups to surf skills, digital clubs and youth activities, families across Charles Sturt can find practical ways to play, learn and spend time together. Local and nearby services also offer development, disability, carer, wellbeing and safety support when your family needs more specialised help.

✨ Play, learning and school holiday activities

Charles Sturt Libraries – children’s and youth programs

Families can join free children’s activities at council library branches in Woodville, Findon, Hindmarsh, West Lakes and Henley. The program includes Babytime, Toddlertime, Mini Movers and Read and Create, providing age-based opportunities for stories, movement and shared learning. Check the current events program before visiting, as session locations and dates vary.

Grubbies on Green Playgroup

Children aged 2–5 and their families can enjoy play, stories, songs, gardening and creative reuse at 19 on Green Community Centre in Brompton. Sessions are listed for Wednesdays during school terms, and advance booking through 19 on Green is required.

Charles Sturt Libraries – Minecraft Club and Future Makers Club

Young people aged 9–14 can build their digital skills through two council library clubs. Minecraft Club runs at Ngutungka West Lakes during school terms, while Future Makers Club at Ngutungka Henley explores coding, digital art and 3D modelling. Both are after-school activities and require bookings.

City of Charles Sturt School Holiday Program

Council’s holiday program gives children and young people a changing selection of activities, which can include creative workshops, cooking, wildlife encounters, digital technology and library events. Most activities require bookings, so families should review the current program early and confirm the relevant ages and arrangements for each event.

🌊 Recreation, youth activities and achievement

Henley Surf Life Saving Club Nippers

At Henley Beach, children aged 5–13 can take part in beach games, surf skills and water-safety education through the club’s Nippers program. Families should contact the club to check joining requirements and current seasonal arrangements before attending.

City of Charles Sturt Free Bike Hire

Borrowing a council bike offers families another way to explore local parks, playgrounds, cultural sites and cycling routes. Children using the service must be at least 10 years old or 150 centimetres tall, and an adult must supervise them.

The Brocas Youth Space

Young people aged 12–25 can access weekly affordable activities, creative sessions, drop-in opportunities, youth-led programs and support at this council youth space in St Clair. Opening hours may change according to staff and volunteer availability, making it important to confirm what is running before travelling.

Youth Achievement Grant Program

Eligible City of Charles Sturt residents aged up to 18 may apply for financial assistance after selection for a sporting, cultural, STEMAL or community activity. A parent or guardian may submit an application for someone under 18. Check the council’s eligibility rules and application timeframes before making plans around funding.

🧩 Child development, early learning and disability support

Making Milestones SA

This Woodville children’s therapy provider offers speech pathology, occupational therapy, mental health social work, preschool and school support, group programs and a sensory playgroup. Depending on the service, support may take place at its clinic or in a child’s home, school, preschool or childcare setting.

Kid Sense Child Development

Families can access occupational therapy and speech therapy through a child development clinic at West Lakes. Tele-therapy is also available, along with visits to childcare, preschool, school and community settings where arranged.

Day by Day Early Intervention

Paediatric speech pathology and occupational therapy are available to children and families across Adelaide’s western suburbs. The confirmed service area includes Findon, Royal Park, Cheltenham, Woodville, Seaton, West Lakes, Pennington and Henley Beach.

West Lakes Kindergarten and Early Childhood Centre

This Department for Education centre offers kindergarten, support programs and Stay and Play. It also hosts a Department for Education Speech and Language Program, which has separate eligibility requirements for children in their eligible preschool year; families should check those criteria rather than assuming general enrolment provides access.

Novita Recreation Program

Children and teenagers aged 5–17 with disability can join a school-holiday recreation program based at The Grove Education Centre in Woodville. Activities may include cooking, art, fitness, music, dance and community outings. Support is provided at ratios of 1:1, 1:2 or 1:3 according to need, and the hourly support fee may be claimable through NDIS Core Supports where relevant.

❤ Support for young people, carers and families

Carers SA – Young Carers

Young carers aged 5–25 can seek individual support, coaching, peer groups, social activities, Young Carer Breaks and up to six free counselling sessions. Carers SA has an office in Seaton and provides activities across metropolitan Adelaide and regional areas, so confirm the location and access details for the particular activity you need.

Carers SA – Carer Gateway support

Free assistance is available to unpaid carers, including parents, grandparents, siblings and other relatives caring for someone with disability, illness, mental illness, substance-use issues or frailty. Options include planning, counselling, coaching, peer groups, tailored support packages and emergency respite. A diagnosis or referral is not required to begin seeking support.

headspace Port Adelaide

Located nearby in Port Adelaide, this free and confidential service supports young people aged 12–25 with mental health, alcohol and other drug concerns, and work or study matters. Young people can self-refer. Families and carers may refer with the young person’s consent, while parent or guardian consent is required for referrals involving someone under 16. The centre is wheelchair accessible.

🛡 Specialist family safety and early intervention

Western Adelaide Domestic Violence Service

Women’s Safety Services SA provides this specialist service for western Adelaide. Its official contact page lists a direct weekday line for the Western Adelaide Domestic Violence Service and a separate 24-hour Domestic Violence Crisis Line. Use the provider’s current contact information to reach the appropriate service.

Safe Start – Inner Northern and Western

Safe Start is a targeted pathway for eligible families from the pre-birth period until an infant reaches 24 months, where child-protection risks are present. Relationships Australia SA leads the Inner Northern and Western program, which accepts eligible referrals for families living in the City of Charles Sturt. Access is through the CFSS Pathways Service and referrals must come from approved referrers.

📌 Check before you book or visit

• Age and eligibility: confirm age bands, residency rules, program criteria and any referral or consent requirements.
• Bookings and availability: term activities, holiday sessions, clubs and youth-space hours can change; reserve places where required.
• Accessibility and support: ask about physical access, communication needs, supervision and suitable support ratios before attending.
• Costs and funding: check current fees and what is included, along with any grant, NDIS or other funding conditions that may apply.
• Location: confirm whether an appointment is at a local site, another community setting, your child’s education setting, or online.

🌟 If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving Charles Sturt, you are warmly invited to add your own listing or submit an update so local families can find accurate, practical information.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on charlessturt.sa.guide.