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 .

Make this dazzling stretch of beaches and natural wonders your home base for a grand adventure

Whether you’re setting out solo, bringing a mate, or packing in the whole family, no road trip along Australia’s East Coast is complete without at least a few days spent exploring the Coffs Coast. A stunning stretch of NSW coastline nestled between ancient high-elevation rainforests and magnificent, undiscovered beaches, Coffs offers amazing biodiversity, stunning natural beauty, and heaps of local charm, without the crowds. Pull up in Coffs Harbour , your perfect home base for these unforgettable day-trips.

1. Southern Beaches

The Coffs region boasts 30 of Australia’s most beautiful, unspoiled beaches, directly abutting a dramatic tableau of mountains and rainforests. Drive South of Coffs Harbour to find up-and-coming surf destinations where it’s still possible to catch an empty wave. First up is the picturesque Sawtell village . Wander the famous fig-tree-lined main street packed with laid-back places to eat and drink. Enjoy panoramic views and seasonal whale sightings at Bonville Headland on the Southern end of the beach.

Nearby Bongil Bongil National Park boasts seven kilometres of empty beach, along with hiking and cycling trails through beachfront rainforests – keep an eye out for koalas living in the trees. Boambee Beach and Boambee Creek Reserve are great for families, with shallow waters perfect for kayaking and SUPing, plus an off-leash dog beach.

family eating lunch in sawtell — Experience small-town charm in Sawtell.

2. Orara Valley Tourist Trail

The Orara Valley Tourist Trail has it all: hinterland bushwalks, birdwatching, horse riding, pristine swimming holes and rolling green pastures dotted with dairy farms and historic villages. And it’s only 15 minutes west of Coffs Harbour.

Sample produce at a roadside stall, stop into Coramba Hotel for a quintessential country pub lunch, or try the Idle in Cafe in Nana Glen for coffee and scones. Then spend the afternoon kayaking the Orara River or mountain biking on Mt Coramba. If you’re feeling adventurous, follow the 4WD touring route along the Orara Escarpment in Bindarri National Park , a rugged landscape with dazzling views that winds through untouched eucalypt rainforests and waterfalls.

A family sitting by the Orara Valley Tourist Trail. — Explore the green heart of Coffs.

3. Dorrigo National Park

Enjoy a classic day trip from Coffs to forest bathe in some of the oldest subtropical rainforests in the world at Dorrigo National Park, part of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests. These million-year-old ecosystems promise rare bird sightings, towering strangler figs, and epic walking tracks and picnic spots. Try the 6.6 km Wonga Walk to experience dreamy Crystal Shower Falls (where you can walk behind the falls) and the Skywalk Lookout, which offers spectacular views of the valley and coast. Then stop in Dorrigo town for a homey lunch. It’s worth noting that a section of the road between Ulong and Dorrigo – which dates to the 1880s – is unsealed, adding to the area’s end-of-the-earth allure but making travel difficult in adverse weather conditions. Alternatively, head to Dorrigo via the delightful township of Bellingen .

Three people standing at the SkyWalk lookout. — Wander the Skywalk.

4. Northern Beaches

For another tranquil expanse of sun, sand and surf breaks, head north to Woolgoolga (Tourism Australia’s Best Mainland Beach for 2025. Taste the coffee and local-produce breakfast at one of several cafes, then spot whales during their migration season along the Woolgoolga Whale Trail to the headland. Emerald Beach offers clear blue waters and another headland walk, perfect for taking in views of South Solitary Island, a dramatically rocky-cliffed island with a historic lighthouse. Red Rock, some 40km north of Coffs and named for its striking coastal rock formations, boasts a gorgeous estuary reserve that’s perfect for languorous days spent picnicking, swimming, fishing, and connecting with the relaxed local pace.

Freshly caught seafood by the beach, with sparkling ocean views. — Enjoy fresh seafood overlooking Woolgoolga Beach.

5. Jetty precinct

You could easily spend a whole day exploring the Jetty precinct – from its foreshores to the marina to Muttonbird Island. Start with fresh fish and chips from local institution Coffs Harbour Fisherman’s Co-op , before browsing the popular Harbourside Markets held every Sunday on the foreshores.

Take a scenic walk along the breakwall to Muttonbird Island , a cultural and ecological treasure with panoramic views and rich Gumbaynggirr heritage. The Giidany Miirlarl Education Space shares the island’s ancient stories, or join a guided moonlight tour to see the seasonal return of the muttonbirds.

Back at the Jetty Strip, find a buzzing mix of cafes, bars and restaurants with cuisines from around the world, open from morning until late. Don’t miss The Jetty Pavilion , a favourite for its unique menu blending modern Australian cuisine with vibrant world flavours.

walk to muttonbird island from coffs harbour — Walk the path where land meets sea and sky.

6. Grafton

Head inland from mid-October to early November to catch Grafton’s jacaranda season, when the town’s streets and parks are covered in purple. Even better, time your trip between 24 October and 2 November to attend the famous Jacaranda Festival, with special food items, performances and more. At any time of year, follow the self-guided Grafton Heritage Trail to discover the town’s historic buildings, landmarks and stories. Or get the blood pumping with a trip along the longest mapped white-water trail in Australia – the Clarence Canoe and Kayak Trail. Book a tour with Exodus Adventures .

woman walking through jacaranda trees in grafton — Time your Grafton trip to see the jacarandas in full bloom. (Image: @myclarencevalley)

7. Nambucca

Just south of Coffs Harbour sits Nambucca, the ideal town for a relaxed, coastal day trip. Hire a canoe, kayak or boat to explore over 80 kilometres of waterways stretching from the hinterland to the ocean. For those who prefer to stay on dry land (or double up their adventure for the day), stretch your legs along the V-Wall – a scenic coastal walk along the Nambucca River – dotted with boulders painted by the community, sharing messages, art and local stories. Stop along the way to buy Sydney rock oysters direct from local farmers, or try your own hand at fishing. Before heading back to Coffs, refuel on fresh seafood and wood-fired pizzas at Matilda’s in Nambucca .

a boat zooming through Nambucca Heads — Explore Nambucca’s waterways. (Image: Seen Australia)

Visit coffscoast.com and download the Coffs Coast Explorer App for more daytrips and trails.

Your 36-hour guide to the Sutherland Shire