Your guide to the best things to do in Sutherland Shire

The Sutherland Shire has much to dazzle day and night, from splurge-worthy restaurants and buzzy bars to nature walks and places designed for a wellness weekend.

Punch ‘Cronulla’ into Google Earth and you’ll get an aerial image of sapphire-blue beaches and bays so perfect they look like they’ve been designed by regenerative AI. Come summertime, the beachside suburb in the Sutherland Shire beckons for a beach getaway or Sydney staycay.

Sure, you could nose the car out of the driveway for the 45-minute commute from the city’s CBD. But whether you’re a Sydney local or visitor, Cronulla’s proximity to the train station makes commuting here a cinch. While the region’s beautiful beaches beckon, there’s a lot more to Sydney’s Sutherland Shire than meets the eye.

Here are some of the best places to stay, eat, chill and play.

oak park in crunulla sydney at sunset — Discover the best of Sydney’s Sutherland Shire.

Where to stay

Getting away from it all can benefit the mind, body and spirit. A staycay at either Quest Cronulla Beach or Rydges Cronulla Beachside will help nudge you into holiday mode, and they make great bases from which to explore the beaches and beyond. Both are opposite The Alley surf break and are just a short stroll away from some of the region’s best bars, cafes and restaurants.

The first order of business on a Cronulla seaside staycay is to fling open the doors to your balcony and fall into rhythm with the gentle sway of the sea. It will be impossible to resist the lure of a morning swim the next day. Choose between slipping into the pool at Quest or Rydges or the sea pool at Oak Park – BYO fins, goggles and inflatable flamingo.

While Quest Cronulla Beach offers studio apartments with fully equipped kitchenettes, Rydges Cronulla Beachside has The Alley dining spot onsite, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Stay the night at Rydges Beachside Cronulla.

Where to eat

Foodie visitors will find much to enjoy when visiting Cronulla – there are so many opportunities for spontaneous discoveries, you’ll need to schedule a return visit. Head to The Pines or Next Door post-dawn to enjoy elevated breakfast options such as the ever-ubiquitous avocado on toast while watching the sun pour honey over the sea. Find Blackwood Pantry a few blocks back, the dreamy Luchetti-Krelle designed eatery that offers great insights into Cronulla’s vibrant cafe culture. Opt for eggs your way or the summer granola bowl.

Blackwood, Sutherland Shire — Enjoy breakfast at the Luchetti Krelle-designed eatery, Blackwood.

For a long lunch, head west to Hazel , the hot new Gymea restaurant within Hazelhurst Art Centre , helmed by Michelin-trained Belgium-born chef Nils Herold. Make reservations at Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare for maccheroncini drenched in a creamy vodka-spiked sauce. It’s sublime. Visiting with your gal pals? Head to Bobby’s or Benny’s , which bookend the peninsula and are top spots for cocktails and share plates. Alphabet Street is known equally for its Asian-influenced fare and apple martinis. The best places for a nightcap include Papa J’s , Blind Bear , Sista Gin and Johnny Hu .

Or take it to the seas on a boat ride with Mintaka Charters . Spend the day sailing through Port Hacking with food and beverage packages (or BYO).

a tour group on Mintaka Charters sutherland shire sydney — Take lunch to the seas with Mintaka Charters.

Where to get your nature fix

Nothing quickens the pulse more than a morning walk along the Esplanade, where you can wander around the peninsula all the way to pretty Darook Park. You can also flaunt your outdoorsy side by forest-bathing in the Royal National Park (it’s a little-known fact that it’s the world’s second-oldest national park beside Yellowstone National Park).

The darling green and gold Curranulla is the oldest commuter ferry in Australia working to a regular timetable. Head down to Gunnamatta Bay to catch the hourly ferry between Cronulla and Bundeena for your big active day out. From here, you can go for a jaunt along the Jibbon Loop Track or for a paddle into Cabbage Tree Bay with Bundeena Kayaks . Visit on the first Sunday of the month to enjoy the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail , when local artists open the doors to their studios on the fringes of the national park.

While Cronulla is best known for its surfing, there are also crystal-clear sea pools that are popular with swimmers. Get the sand out of your cossie with a swim at Shelly Park pool, then complete your daily step goal along the clifftops of Cape Baily walking track in Kamay Botany Bay National Park.

bundeena kayaks group exploring sutherland shire — Explore Sutherland Shire by the water with Bundeena Kayaks.

On the way to wellness

Wellness travel is on trend and it’s booming in Cronulla, where visitors are wooed with everything from day spas to pottery classes. Delete your dating apps and sign up for a pasta and cannoli-making class at Salt Meats Cheese , which is a convivial way to spend an afternoon while making new friends. Part Time Ceramics also offers fun ‘Pottery & Prosecco’ classes.

Make the most of your long weekend in Cronulla by booking a treatment with one of the talented skin coaches at Beauty & Balance , which is tucked away upstairs on the main street of Cronulla Plaza. Endota Spa is also an urban oasis where you can while away an entire afternoon in complete serenity. Those wanting to recharge and recover can also go for a cold plunge at RCVRI , in the pedestrianised part of Cronulla. The health and wellness centre has a ZeroGravity flotation bed designed to help you shrug off the stresses of the everyday.

If it’s live music you’re after, catch a gig at Brass Monkey Cronulla . Or book tickets to the SummerSalt Cronulla festival in April, featuring headline acts such as Missy Higgins, John Butler, Fanning Dempsey National Park and Josh Pyke.

people making pottery at part time ceramics in sutherland shire sydney — Create something new with a class at Part Time Ceramics.

Start planning your Cronulla getaway at visitsutherlandshire.com.au .

Sunshine, sea breezes and sand-speckled locals: the Sutherland Shire is perfect for an idyllic Sydney summer.

The Sutherland Shire is one of Sydney’s most dynamic regions. Home to an eclectic mix of top-notch eateries and drinking holes, a flourishing arts scene, and striking land and seascapes, it’s a haven for foodies, culture seekers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

It’s also an ever-evolving destination with a constant wave of new places to eat and drink, and under-the-radar pockets to explore – many of which are dog-friendly.

If you’re venturing to this gorgeous part of the world this summer, here’s your guide to what’s new and worth discovering.

Savour the summer dining scene

Fred’s After Hours on the sutherland shire — Pop into Fred’s After Hours.

The Shire’s buzzing dining scene is one of its biggest drawcards, and many of the region’s culinary highlights can be found in the sun-soaked beachside hub of Cronulla. A bunch of newcomers have recently set up shop, making the area ripe for culinary adventure.

Homer Rogue Taverna is exactly as its name suggests: a cheeky take on classic Greek food. Expect meze and mains bursting with bold flavours and a wine list packed with standout Greek drops.

Freds Providore – a Cronulla favourite for casual cafe fare and excellent coffee – is now open late from Thursday to Sunday. Come sundown, it morphs into Fred’s After Hours, serving a refined European-inspired menu, wines, cocktails and a laid-back yet polished vibe.

Bobbys is a slick destination right on Cronulla Beach, where you can grab a plate of freshly-caught seafood and a summery cocktail while cooling off in the sea breeze.

And if you’re after a bit of everything, the sprawling and multifaceted Parc Pavilion is a melting pot of dining experiences. It blends a cafe, bistro, bar, Italian restaurant and a host of regular events, all tied together in a cool coastal setting.

Got a Saturday morning to spare? The Shire Farmers Market in Sutherland is a must-do ritual, letting you (and your four-legged friend) browse fresh produce, flowers and gourmet treats against a backdrop of live music and local chatter.

Dive into ocean pools

ocean pool on the sutherland shire — The ocean pools beckon.

Given its prime coastal positioning, the Shire teems with crystal-clear ocean pools and enclosed bathing spots. Silver Beach Tidal Baths offers a netted
swimming experience in Botany Bay. Tucked beside a small sandy beach, the tidal baths at Gunnamatta Park are calm and shallow – making them an ideal setting for less confident swimmers.

Just a hop and a skip away is Shelly Park Ocean Pool, a magical rock pool carved in the ocean. It’s well-suited to young kids and offers sweeping views towards the open sea.

Experience local arts and culture

Hazelhurst Arts Centre in Gymea is elegantly positioned within a lush garden landscape, serving as the Sutherland Shire’s premier destination for arts and culture. This summer, experience the Art on Paper Award 2025 – a celebration of innovation and creativity through the versatile medium of paper.

Set within the leafy surrounds of Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Hazel Kitchen & Bar has curated the ultimate picnic experience. Think abundant cheese platters, artisan charcuterie boards, fresh OJ and a thoughtfully chosen wine list, all available to take away and enjoy in the art-filled gardens just beyond the restaurant. Best of all, four-legged friends are welcome to join the fun.

Next, venture south to the artsy village of Bundeena for the monthly Bundeena and Maianbar Art Trail . This self-guided journey through local artists’ studios offers a glimpse into their work and creative spaces.

Relish the dog-friendly atmosphere

a dog on Greenhills Dog Beach sutherland shire — Let the dog off-leash at Greenhills Dog Beach.

The Sutherland Shire is a bona fide playground for pups and their humans. Find a string of dog-friendly beaches popular with locals, visitors and pups alike. Silver Beach in Kurnell is a peaceful pocket, allowing dogs off-leash without restriction. While Horderns Beach in Bundeena and Greenhills Beach in Cronulla are equally serene and provide off-leash access (be sure to check times and seasonal restrictions before you go).

If you’re planning to make a weekend of it, book yourself and your pooch into Quest Cronulla . With stylish and spacious pet-friendly accommodation, thoughtful amenities, and a prime location just steps from Cronulla Esplanade and a variety of dog-friendly cafes, it’s the perfect spot to rest after a full day of exploring.

Get into nature

Sunrise at Curracurrong Falls and Eagle Rock in the Royal National Park, Sydney. — Find natural beauty in Royal National Park. (Image: Destination NSW)

You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to outdoor escapes: imagine rugged bushwalks, breezy beachside tracks, meandering cycling trails and lookouts galore. The best part? Many of them are perfectly suited to dogs.

Take your canine to Cronulla Esplanade – the Shire’s version of the famed Bondi to Coogee Walk. This eight-kilometre route takes you past the region’s most picturesque beaches, offering panoramic vistas and an electric energy. It heaves with locals every morning and weekend, getting their steps in with a coffee in one hand and a dog leash in the other.

If you’re travelling without furry friends, stop by the Royal National Park. You’ll be engulfed in ancient bushland, craggy cliffs, towering rock formations, diverse wildlife and twisting tracks. The Jibbon Loop Track is a highlight, with spectacular views over the sea. Alternatively, the Karloo Track forms a loop that winds through untamed bush, freshwater pools and waterfalls. Re-lace your walking shoes or grab a bike to follow The Bundeena Drive to Marley Walk past freshwater pools and creeks, on to scenic beach views of Little Marley Beach.

Hit up the beautiful beaches

aerial of cronulla beach and esplanade — Enjoy postcard-perfect beaches. (Image: Destination NSW)

The stretch along Cronulla bursts with postcard-perfect beaches, each offering a different flavour. With rolling waves, regular patrol and a steady stream of beachgoers, Cronulla Beach and North Cronulla Beach are buzzy and built for all kinds of swimmers. Elouera Beach is a quieter option, attracting early-morning surfers hoping to catch the perfect wave.

If you prefer a side of dramatic scenery, visit Wanda or Greenhills – in addition to ocean panoramas, both are backed by towering golden dunes and wild scrub. Looking for something more subdued? Shelly Beach Ocean Pool is a relaxed – yet no less captivating – retreat.

Start planning your Sutherland Shire summer at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.

Your 36-hour guide to the Sutherland Shire