20 Of The Best Things To Do In Cronulla

An insider’s guide to 20 of the best things to do in and around Cronulla in Sydney’s south.

The best things to do in Cronulla revolve around the ocean. Every day, during the faint lifting of the early light, you will find Cronulla Esplanade busy with a mix of power walkers, joggers, amateur photographers and besuited surfers gathering as if at a shambolic convention.

As the slightest crack of golden light begins to break over the horizon, those with phones pause for long enough to hold them up to the sky and capture it filling with colour. It’s a ritual that bookends the day and one that captures the buzz of the beachside suburb.

But there’s a lot more to do besides. Here are 20 of the best things to do in Cronulla to experience its diverse and spontaneous vibes.

1. Get a spa treatment

You will have ample time to do some soul-searching while nourishing your skin at Endota Spa, just minutes from the beach in South Cronulla. Furthermore, you can stretch, shape, tone or sweat or slow down and find some quiet in the stillness during a soothing stone massage.

a woman having a facial treatment at Endota Spa

Get pampered at Endota Spa.

There are rejuvenation packages on offer at the spa that can be custom-designed to suit your needs. Beauty & Balance is another dedicated space for wellness, an upstairs studio with a whisper-quiet environment that is like a hidden sanctuary.

Follow the Sunrise yoga regular yogis page on Facebook to see when and where you can do the downward dog at dawn. The 6am classes are held in the southernmost corner of South Cronulla Beach and hosted by seasoned yoga professionals. Although it seems ridiculously early, this is peak hour on the Esplanade and the perfect place to be to appreciate those sunrise views. Top off your morning with a swim in a rock pool. Cronulla has some of the best Sydney has to offer. If the weather is inclement, book a class at BHAV in the heart of Cronulla Plaza.

Book a class at BHAV with seasoned yoga professionals.

3. Kayak into Cabbage Tree Basin

Your time in the Shire will take a more reflective turn when you hire a kayak from Bundeena Kayaks and paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin.

Kayak all the way to the end of the creek to make the most of your experience. (Image: Sutherland Shire Council)

Moreover, entering the mouth of the basin is a challenge if you don’t know what you’re doing as you have to time it with the ebb and flow of the tide.

Paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin. (Image: Sutherland Shire Council)

Scan the banks of Bundeena for water birds and sluice past the thick tangle of mangroves that mark the entrance to the waterway. Paddle all the way to the end of the creek to experience the serenity.

a group of kayakers at Cabbage Tree Basin

Hire a kayak from Bundeena Kayaks. (Image: Sutherland Shire Council)

4. Get on your bike

Chain Reaction has been catering to the changing needs of cyclists for three decades. The shop is run by hardcore bike geeks, everyone from recreational riders to international and Olympic-level athletes. Talk to owner Chris about the best bike to hire and where to ride it. He’ll probs recommend the Woolooware Shared Pathway, which wends its way to Shorebird Reserve, an important habitat for migratory birds. The path is undergoing an extension to loop the track behind Shark Park and the new Bay Central Woollooware shopping centre.

a biker walking by the Cabbage Tree Basin betweenMaianbar and Bundeena

Explore Cabbage Tree Basin on your bike. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Learn to surf

Cronulla Surfing Academy has been helping inspire young grommets to get to their feet for the past two decades. Former professional surfer Blake Johnston has also coached some of the area’s rising stars, including Jarvis Earle who is a celebrated local surfer.

surfing at sea, Cronulla Surfing Academy

Ride the gnarly waves in Cronulla.

Beginners will first learn to balance on a foamie, before progressing through to fibreglass. CSA coach and founder Blake Johnston set a Guinness World Record for surfing 40 hours straight in March 2023 to raise money for the Chumpy Pullin Foundation.

a surfer at sea, Cronulla Surfing Academy

Learn to surf at Cronulla Surfing Academy.

6. Browse for books

The Best Little Bookshop in Town is a must on any Cronulla itinerary. Talk to the erudite owner Grant who always has great recommendations. Those new to the area should also join the BLB Book Club, which tends towards literary gems. As well as books that focus on everything from fiction to cookbooks, the store is perfect for those looking for a unique gift.

a look inside The Best Little Bookshop in Town

From fiction to cookbooks, the Best Little Bookshop in Town has everything you need.

The Best Little Bookshop in Town also has an extensive range of rare and collectable books. Check out the schedule for the Lotus Rooms where you can sign up for everything from energy readings to yin yoga and meditation.

books on display at The Best Little Bookshop in Town, Cronulla

Find an extensive range of rare books.

7. Check out the Cronulla Surf Museum

Shoes. Cronulla Point. Wanda. Windy Point. The Alley. These are just a few of the surf breaks dotted between Greenhills and Oak Park in Cronulla. The seaside suburb of Cronulla has a long association with surfing. And it has created a terrific training ground for boundary-breaking surfers such as Mark ‘Occy’ Occhilupo, Richard ‘Dog’ Marsh, Jarvis Earle and Connor O’Leary. Head to the Cronulla Surf Museum tucked away in Cronulla Central to read about the history of the sport in the region.

8. Take a self-guided walk

Cronulla is derived from the Aboriginal word ‘kurranulla’ meaning ‘place of pink seashells’ in the language of the Dharawal-speaking people, the Traditional Owners of the Land.

a street mural at Walk the Walls, Cronulla

The walls become an ever-evolving exhibition of street art.

You can learn about First Nations people at plaques placed along the Esplanade, where the waves have crashed along the coast for millennia. Walk the Walls provides another incentive to get your steps up. The annual event sees the walls become an ever-evolving exhibition of street art.

one of the murals at Walk the Walls, Cronulla

Spot the iconic street murals in Cronulla.

9. Enjoy a Sydney staycation

Call recently revitalised Rydges Cronulla home for a few days and you will be right in position to check out some of the best bars and restaurants in the Shire. Rydges Cronulla has a cool, coastal vibe. The Alley, the hotel’s bar, has live music and DJs. As a result, it is a top spot to hang on a Sunday when the terrace becomes an open-air dance floor. The hotel has a pool and priceless views over North Cronulla Beach. It’s where you will find some of the suburb’s best cafes and bars.

the balcony at Rydges Cronulla with views over North Cronulla Beach

Rydges Cronulla boasts views over North Cronulla Beach. (Image: Rydges Cronulla)

10. Bunker down in Bundeena

Catch the ferry over to the newly revitalised Simpson’s Cottage, which is a chic option in the Royal National Park, just a short ferry trip away onboard the heritage-listed Curranulla.

Step into the newly revitalised Simpson’s Cottage.

Make Bundeena your base for the monthly art trail. It’s one of the best things to do in Bundeena. Locals in the know will also point you toward the Jean General Store. The boutique hardware and general store is run by award-winning interior designer Kelly Ross (Joe’s Bar and Bar Beirut, Canberra, Queenies and Ora). That is to say, it’s worth a visit.

a black dog inside the Jean General Store, Cronulla

Browse through boutique hardware items at the Jean General Store.

11. Catch a gig at the Brass Monkey

The Brass Monkey is an intimate subterranean venue that has played host to some top-tier talent since it opened in 1999. The grungy speakeasy-style bar has established a legacy as a place for live music with acts including Ash Grunwald, Mental as Anything, Matt Corby, Alex Lloyd, Sarah McLeod and Josh Pyke on its hit list.

live music performance at the dimly lit bar in Brass Monkey, Cronulla

Pop by The Brass Monkey for some live music.

Locals in the know will always book dinner and a show as the Middle Eastern fare being served up here is led by chef Edoardo Scepi of nearby Yalla Sawa, one of the best restaurants in the Sutherland Shire.

Yalla Sawa serves up excellent Middle Eastern fare.

12. Go for a swim at Salmon Haul

A lot of the tourist traffic along the Esplanade stops around Shelly Park. But keep on heading south and you will wind up at Salmon Haul which is surrounded by a natural rock shelf at the base of a cliff. Sure, the beaches in Cronulla are some of the best in Sydney and the waves will always beckon. But don a mask and snorkel here and you will find a starting point for that annual conversation you have about making a sea change. For a change of pace, you can pull up here in your party boat over the summer months.

13. Go on a whale watching tour

The humpback highway loops around the Royal National Park and hugs the coastline all the way to Cape Solander, one of the best places to see whales in Sydney.

a humpback whale jumping gracefully out of the water

Keep your eyes peeled for whales while cruising around Cronulla. (Image: Todd Cravens/Unsplash)

The season for cruising with Cronulla Whale Watching runs from June to October when the most common whales to see are humpbacks. But the local boat charter company has also seen southern right whales, minkes, orcas and pilot whales while cruising around Cronulla. The boats leave from Cronulla Public Wharf and bookings are a must.

an aerial view of whales swimming at sea

The most common whales to see are humpbacks. (Image: Will Turner/Unsplash)

14. Take your fur baby for a beach walk

Greenhills Beach is one of the best places in Sydney to take your dog for a walk. It’s an off-leash zone between 3pm and 10am during non-daylight savings hours and between 4pm and 10am during daylight savings. You’ll find four-legged furry friends of all shapes and sizes on the beach which sums up the spirit of the local community. The walkability is pretty good on the hard-packed sand and there’s plenty of parking too. You will meet hundreds of canines and their owners along the dog-friendly trail.

Go for a walk with your fur baby at Greenhills Beach.

15. Take a picnic to Darook Park Beach

Let’s Graze Co. is run by Wiradjuri woman Kay who curates gorgeous grazing boxes to go. Kay also sets up and styles picnics and grazing tables for any occasion, be it a date night, Christmas party or proposal. From a sweet and simple picnic package to a complete picnic package, the company makes dining al fresco a breeze.

Set up your picnic in style with Shire Picnic Co.

Shire Picnic Co. will also set up your picnic and style it with everything from garlands to themed backdrops. The catering company will also pack up your hamper post-chicnic down at Darook Park Beach, one of the best places for a picnic in the Shire.

Head to Darook Park Beach for a picnic. (Image: Mark Sariban)

16. Order a seafood platter by the sea

The focus at Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare is, as the name suggests, ‘of the sea’ and the sister venue to Pino’s in Alexandria is now one of the best in the Shire. The signature dish prepared by executive chef Cristiano Patacca (ex-Otto, est.) is a raw seafood platter with a bounty that includes Abrolhos scallops, East33 oysters, ama-ebi prawns, caviar and yellowfin tuna tartare toasts.

a seafood platter at Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Cronulla

Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare elevates fine seafood dining by the sea. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

The restaurant is a fulfilling fantasy of what a fine diner by the sea should look like. And, thanks to restaurateur Matteo Margiotta, the building dating back to 1908 remains a much-loved community hub.

a chef holding a plate of cooked shrimp at Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare

Seafood lovers unite at Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

17. Take a dip in the sea

Rising with the sun is a long-held ritual in Cronulla with a rotating cast of characters that huff and puff along the path that snakes for some five kilometres from Greenhills Beach to Hungry Point Reserve. Regardless of the outside temperature, swimming is a year-round thrill. Shelly Beach Ocean Bath is one of the more accessible pools, with a ramp leading down to the water. You can also meet up with the Shark Island Psycho Swimmers (SIPS) who meet at Cronulla SLSC at 6.30am each day to swim around the island.

Take a dip in the Shelly Beach Ocean Bath. (Image: Destination NSW)

18. Sundowner by the sea

In the early evening, the cacophony of squawking seagulls and cockatoos is soon replaced by the sounds of people laughing and clinking glasses. It’s likely they’re toasting their good fortune to live so near to the sea. There are many great bars to enjoy a sundowner in Cronulla.

the beachfront dining of Bobbys, Cronulla

Head down to the oceanside restaurant, Bobbys.

Visit The Alley to watch the waves thudding onto the sand. Bob on down to Bobbys for a boogie. Head to Hurricane’s Bar & Grill to watch the mixologists muddle up a cocktail or three. Or head to contemporary bar Cony’s for cocktails and guacamole. The Pines Terrace is also a top spot to start and end your day.

a mixologist preparing a cocktail at Hurricane’s Bar & Grill, Cronulla

Watch the mixologists muddle up a cocktail at Hurricane’s Bar & Grill.

19. Pre-dawn coffee at Grind

There’s a lot to do on the food and beverage front besides going out for a quiet cocktail or dining out at some of the Shire’s best restaurants. After a swim, surf, morning walk or run, Cronulla locals tend to swap the sand and sea for coffee and gossip at one of the many cafes dotted around the beachside suburb in Sydney’s south.

a spread of food on the table at Blackwood Pantry, Cronulla

Blackwood Pantry serves up generous brunch plates. (Image: Blackwood Pantry)

Whether it’s a languorous day in summer, or a bright winter’s day, going out for coffee is a great way to start the day. Choose between cafes such as The Press, HAM, The Pines Cronulla and Blackwood Pantry, all of which attract very eclectic crowds. Nun’s Pool will also win you over with its friendly service, robust pastries and good coffee.

Make a pit stop by the beach at The Pines Cronulla. (Image: Rachel Kara)

20. Go and see the Cronulla Sharks play

Cronulla has a thriving NRL fan base. Get a feel for the pulse of the suburb by venturing into Cronulla Sharks territory during the season. Catch the train from Cronulla to Woolooware and then follow the crowds cheering on the boys in the black, white and blue. Get a ticket for family hill and kick off your shoes so you can lie on the grass. Get in early for the next season by making a booking at Golden Boy Asian, the new Chinese restaurant overlooking the mangrove end of the Cronulla Sharks home ground.

Chinese dumplings at Golden Boy Asian, Cronulla

Enjoy Chinese dumplings at Golden Boy Asian.

Check out a local’s guide to 15 of the best restaurants in Cronulla.

Welcome to the first instalment of Hotel Addict, a monthly column where I check into Australia’s best hotels, exploring not just the rooms, but the stories, service and settings that make each stay unforgettable and worth adding to your wishlist.

Hotel stays have quietly become my thing. Long before I became a travel journalist, I was booking staycations just for a change of scenery. Some had charm, some had character, some had neither. Once, I even stayed in a hotel directly opposite my own apartment – partly for the novelty, partly because I wanted to see my life from a different angle.

For me, hotels represent a kind of mystery – I find myself wanting to know what these buildings contain. Many of them are designed with intention: lighting, materials, scent and sounds that often reflect the city they sit in. Time seems to gently pause in these spaces, which have increasingly become the destination itself for modern travellers.

It only felt fitting for the first hotel in this series to be in my home city and at the hotel that’s been at the top of my list: Capella Sydney.

A sandstone heritage building and palm trees

Capella sits within an Edwardian Baroque‑style sandstone building.

An email with a hotel program from the “Culturist Team” lets me know this will be a luxurious stay. There’s a guided walk around the Botanic Gardens, a weaving workshop and a Sydney contemporary art tour – the kind of addition that signals a hotel that’s tuned into the finer details, and one that’s not surprising given that Capella’s ethos centres on delivering personalised, immersive experiences.

Capella opened in 2023 within a transformed Edwardian Baroque‑style sandstone building in Sydney’s CBD that was originally designed by renowned Scottish-Australian architect George McRae. I often walk past this building and once attended an event inside – I distinctly remember being surprised by how beautiful it was. Bar Studio, Make Architects, and stylist Simone Haag were engaged to sensitively adapt the building for contemporary luxury while honouring its past, in collaboration with Heritage NSW and the City of Sydney.

When I arrive, I’m greeted by three different staff members along the way to reception. There’s a lovely subtle scent, which I later learn combines notes of bergamot, green tea leaves, peony, freesia, vetiver and cedarwood. This hotel strikes such a beautiful balance between grandness and intimacy, with large floral bouquets, contemporary artworks, impressively high ceilings that give it an international feel and quieter nooks to unwind in. Each space is unique, but they’re all unified by a warm, textural and layered design.

Sydney has been deserving of a hotel of this calibre for quite some time, with many of the accommodations in the city looking and feeling dated.

A modern hotel reception with high ceilings

The design strikes the perfect balance between grandness and intimacy.

I have a treatment booked at the hotel’s Auriga Spa prior to check-in. The space is ultra-luxe, moodily lit and intimate, featuring timber joinery, green walls and a sleek design that’s so perfect it almost transports me to Japan. I opt for the Replenish Beauty and LED Facial – a strategic choice with a TV segment on the horizon, and a hopeful bid to look extra fresh for the camera.

The treatment begins with me sitting in the softest robe of my life, wearing slippers and sipping chamomile tea. I’m then whisked away to my private treatment room, which has its own bathroom, a large skylight and a small Japanese-style garden. The treatment is extremely relaxing and moves through cleansing, exfoliating, massaging (arm, head, neck and face) and LED Light Therapy. There’s so much attention to detail – even at the end, the facialist puts my slippers back on me, while I’m still lying down.

Spa treatment room with a massage bed, featuring timber walls and a serene Japanese-style garden visible through a window.

A treatment at Auriga Spa might be the best way I’ve ever started a hotel stay. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

While this treatment certainly hasn’t had a Benjamin Button effect, my sister seems to think I’m glowing, so I walk away happy, or at the very least, zen.

Auriga Spa has a sauna, steam room, ice fountain and a beautiful indoor heated swimming pool. There’s also “experiential showers” – new to me, but essentially it combines water flowing from different places, changing temperatures, mood lighting, gentle sounds, and a subtle lemongrass scent.

You could easily spend the better part of a day at the spa and pool, even if you’re not a guest.

The indoor heated swimming pool with glass ceiling at Capella Sydney.

Guests outside the hotel can use the spa and swimming pool. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

I’m escorted to my room, drunk on relaxation, but I make sure to take note of how noisy the hallways are – answer: dead quiet. My room is 50 square metres, which is huge by hotel standards, but particularly for one in the CBD. It feels like a high-end apartment with floorboards, a freestanding bath and a seating/dining area. My eyes are immediately drawn to the line-up of macarons waiting for me on the dining table.

I’m thrilled to see the mini bar armoire includes a small wine fridge stocked with Minuty Prestige Côtes de Provence, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Handpicked Wines Pinot Noir, and Moët Grand Vintage. Not that I plan on using it (I simply could not justify the prices) – but it’s a nice extra that makes the room feel that much more luxurious. The drinks lineup reads like a who’s-who of local favourites – Young Henrys, Maybe Sammy cocktails, Four Pillars gin and Archie Rose gin. Snacks include Tyrell’s chips, Pringles, Natural Confectionery lollies, and a Carman’s oat bar.

Some small touches I appreciate that some hotels don’t offer: the option to choose your housekeeping time, an iron that actually works well, a Bluetooth speaker, the beloved wine fridge, aluminium water bottles and a bathroom without a glass door or screen that awkwardly exposes you. The one downside is that some of these rooms don’t offer much in the way of a view.

A modern hotel room with a monochrome paletter.

I stayed in a Premier Room which was elegant and relaxing. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

4:30pm is Swill Hour – a daily tradition that nods to the historical “six o’clock swill” in Australia. This one-hour event takes place in the Living Room and invites guests to gather and enjoy each other’s company with a signature cocktail in hand. This afternoon’s tipple is a Eucalyptus Gimlet, a clever, herbaceous little cocktail, by the multi-award-winning Maybe Sammy Team, served on coasters depicting drawings of the historic building. The canapé of the day is a tomato and stracciatella tart. I noticed several staff members chatting with guests like old friends, asking how their adventures earlier in the day went – clearly remembering previous conversations from earlier visits.

Dinner is booked for 6:30pm in Aperture – arguably the most beautiful area of the accommodation. It’s decorated with Australian flora and features a kinetic sculpture hanging from the roof that opens like flowers, with softly changing lights. Tyler, who is serving us, clearly admires the Capella brand, speaking enthusiastically about the other international properties he’s been to and sharing how he sometimes brings his five-year-old daughter here to use the pool.

Interior of Aperture at Capella Sydney, featuring lush greenery and a striking ceiling-mounted sculpture.

The scale of Aperture gives it an international feel.

I kick things off with a basil melon margarita – a winning recommendation – before tucking into the best prawn toast I’ve ever had. For mains it’s crispy Ōra King salmon and spaghetti with mud crab.

When I arrive back at my room, there’s a vegan leather journal on my bed with a note that says: “The ritual of journaling allows us to pause, reflect and focus.” This is part of the turndown service, and my slippers are neatly lined up next to my bed. Will I journal? No. Do I think it’s a nice touch? Yes.

Brasserie 1930 at Capella Sydney, where Art Deco elegance meets contemporary Australian cuisine.

Brasserie 1930 boasts Art Deco elegance.

The next morning, I make the predictable choice of smashed avo for breakfast at the on-site restaurant, Brasserie 1930. There’s also a buffet brimming with all the usual suspects.

Afterwards, I head to the pool to relax for a few hours before the 11am checkout. Despite my earlier resolve not to journal, I find myself reflecting nonetheless – an irony not lost on me – on my 21st hotel stay in Sydney. I write this with growing assurance that great hotels don’t just provide a place to stay; they create memorable moments, thanks in large part to fantastic staff. Kudos to the hiring manager.

Next stop: The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart!

20 of the best things to do in Cronulla

An insider’s guide to 20 of the best things to do in and around Cronulla in Sydney’s south.

1. Get a spa treatment

3. Kayak into Cabbage Tree Basin

4. Get on your bike

5. Learn to surf

6. Browse for books

7. Check out the Cronulla Surf Museum

8. Take a self-guided walk

9. Enjoy a Sydney staycation

10. Bunker down in Bundeena

11. Catch a gig at the Brass Monkey

12. Go for a swim at Salmon Haul

13. Go on a whale watching tour

14. Take your fur baby for a beach walk

15. Take a picnic to Darook Park Beach

16. Order a seafood platter by the sea

17. Take a dip in the sea

18. Sundowner by the sea

19. Pre-dawn coffee at Grind

20. Go and see the Cronulla Sharks play

Travellers get relief as Sydney Airport introduces flat-rate taxi fares

This iconic Bondi venue is about to land at Sydney Airport

Soft Forest: A free, immersive show is on in this historic Sydney garden

Be transported to an Italian summer at this new Sydney restaurant

I’ve stayed in 21 hotels in Sydney and this is my favourite

Welcome to the first instalment of Hotel Addict, a monthly column where I check into Australia’s best hotels, exploring not just the rooms, but the stories, service and settings that make each stay unforgettable and worth adding to your wishlist.

An insider’s guide to 20 of the best things to do in and around Cronulla in Sydney’s south.

1. Get a spa treatment

2. Sign up for sunrise yoga

3. Kayak into Cabbage Tree Basin

4. Get on your bike

5. Learn to surf

6. Browse for books

7. Check out the Cronulla Surf Museum

8. Take a self-guided walk

9. Enjoy a Sydney staycation

10. Bunker down in Bundeena

11. Catch a gig at the Brass Monkey

12. Go for a swim at Salmon Haul

13. Go on a whale watching tour

14. Take your fur baby for a beach walk

15. Take a picnic to Darook Park Beach

16. Order a seafood platter by the sea

17. Take a dip in the sea

18. Sundowner by the sea

19. Pre-dawn coffee at Grind

20. Go and see the Cronulla Sharks play

Travellers get relief as Sydney Airport introduces flat-rate taxi fares

This iconic Bondi venue is about to land at Sydney Airport

Soft Forest: A free, immersive show is on in this historic Sydney garden

Be transported to an Italian summer at this new Sydney restaurant

Welcome to the first instalment of Hotel Addict, a monthly column where I check into Australia’s best hotels, exploring not just the rooms, but the stories, service and settings that make each stay unforgettable and worth adding to your wishlist.