'Big Potato' now the 'Pig Potato' but we think it'd look better mashed

Here’s what we think The Big Potato should be next …

While the Pig Potato is hogging the spotlight now, here are five other imaginative rebrands that could add flavour to this starchy landmark that we think the town of Robertson should seriously consider.

The Big Hasselback Potato: A sophisticated twist, featuring carved ridges and a crunchy exterior. It may be a controversial opinion, but could there be a better way to roast a potato? We think not.

AI generated image of The Big Hasselback Potato

We asked AI to make an image of The Big Hasselback Potato. (Image: OpenAI/ChatGPT)

The Big Jacket Potato: Dressed to impress, this version could be topped with a serving of bacon (sorry, Babe), melted cheese, sour cream and a sprinkle of chives. Seriously, that melted cheese looks good enough to scoop off and eat!

This AI-generated image of The Big Loaded Jacket Potato looks like a winner. (Image: OpenAI/ChatGPT)

The Big Mashed Potato: A lumpy, bumpy rendition that invites visitors to dive into comfort-food bliss. Admittedly, we were worried this would gain similar monikers to the previous iteration of the Big Potato, but we’re pleasantly surprised with this fluffy, cloud-like potato dream.

An AI-generated image of The Big Mashed Potato. (Image: OpenAI/ChatGPT)

The Big Chips: Stacked high like a tower of golden hot chips, this design would surely be a hit with snack enthusiasts. Chippies are always a crowd pleaser after all. Just don’t alert the seagulls.

AI chippies anyone? (Image: OpenAI/ChatGPT)

The Big Pig: Celebrating its current incarnation, this version honours the porcine star that captured hearts worldwide. He really is cute enough to make you turn vegetarian.

AI generated image of Babe as The Big Pig.

AI’s version of Babe as The Big Pig. (Image: OpenAI/ChatGPT)

Babeworld: Following in the hoofprints of Bluey’s World, we reckon it’s high time for a Babeworld. Imagine this: a fully immersive, multi-sensory wonderland where you can bottle-feed animatronic ducklings, take etiquette classes with Maa the sheep, or belt out harmonies with three sassy mice. Frankly, if Robertson isn’t already on this, they’re missing out on a pig deal.

Robertson’s Big Potato continues to be a source of joy and creativity, proving that even the humblest of vegetables can be a canvas for community spirit and artistic expression.

We can’t wait to see which of these very good suggestions Robertson picks up next! Which one gets your vote?

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.

‘Big Potato’ now the ‘Pig Potato’ but we think it’d look better mashed

That’ll do, Spud.

Here’s what we think The Big Potato should be next …

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Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.