South Cronulla Beach, Southern SydneyCredit: Monde Photo
South Cronulla Beach, one of four patrolled surf beaches in Cronulla in Southern Sydney.
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In Cronulla, a 50-minute drive south of the city centre, you’ll feel like you’re a million miles away on a coastal retreat. This beachside suburb is renowned for its waterfront eateries and its relaxed vibe. With four kilometres of coastline and four beaches one after the other – Wanda, Elouera, North Cronulla and South Cronulla – this is the perfect place for a beachside holiday.
Highlights:
- Having a dip in the ocean followed by a tasty breakfast
- Taking a peaceful walk on sandy beaches or along the coastal headland
- Enjoying a long lunch while watching locals promenade past
Greet the morning
Start your morning off on a yoga mat by the seaside with the effervescent, energetic yogi Ying Bean. Let Ying take you through your paces on the grass overlooking the water at Shelly Beach Park on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, weather permitting. Ying also offers yoga and mindfulness classes for the little ones on Wednesday afternoons.
If you’ve brought a four-legged friend with you, head up to the northernmost car park above Wanda Beach and follow the trail of dog owners taking their pets to Greenhills Beach to the north. Here your dog is allowed off-leash from 3pm to 10am (from 4pm during daylight savings).
After yoga or a dip at the beach, have a hearty breakfast at Zimzala. Perched on the edge of the ocean on the Esplanade at South Cronulla Beach, this casual eatery has amazing beach views and serves up traditional café breakfast favourites. Or head to Blackwood Pantry on Surf Lane, a quick walk through the palm tree-dotted park from Zimzala, for seasonal fare such as soft-boiled egg with tandoori sweet potato.
Shop for some new holiday outfits
Scattered around this beachside suburb are hip boutiques offering everything from beach-to-bar sundresses to sustainable homewares and swimwear. On Surf Road in Cronulla, drop into Roar for statement pieces and bespoke accessories from its curated collection of Aussie and international designers. Put Zaliah on your boutique list for designer leather, linen and knitwear. Fur bomber jackets and pastel blazers are a highlight at Meet That Store, while family-owned fashion store Dutchee Dutchee stocks cute sundresses, jumpsuits and delicate necklaces.
Take a long lunch
For a leisurely lunch by the water, head to Sealevel Restaurant & Bar, which occupies a great ground-floor spot overlooking North Cronulla Beach. There’s a focus on fresh local seafood here, and with floor-to-ceiling glass bringing the beach views in, it’s a great place for people watching, with a steady stream of locals walking by. Or seek out Summer Salt Restaurant, at Eloura Surf Life Saving Club overlooking Eloura Beach, for a sublime seafood platter and modern Australian fare with an Asian twist.
Prefer to keep on the move? Grab a great sandwich and locally roasted coffee from Loaf Sandwiches, on Cronulla Mall near Surf Road, and hit the Cronulla Beach Walk to find a bench overlooking the waves. This 4km coastal walk runs from South Cronulla Beach to Bass and Flinders Point overlooking Bundeena and the Royal National Park. You’ll stroll past ocean pools, cafés, playgrounds and lavish homes overlooking the water. The entire walk is about an hour one way.
If you’ve opted for a long walk after lunch, reward yourself with an ice-cream cone from Ice Creamery & Espresso Bar. With more than 70 flavours to choose from, there’s a flavour to suit all tastes.
Blackwood Pantry, Cronulla Credit: Blackwood Pantry
Blackwood Pantry, on Surf Lane in Cronulla.
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Blackwood Pantry, Cronulla Credit: Blackwood Pantry
Blackwood Pantry, on Surf Lane in Cronulla.
The Cronulla Beach Walk, Southern Sydney Credit: Monde Photo
The Cronulla Beach Walk is a 6km return walk from the beaches of Cronulla to a headland facing Royal National Park.
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The Cronulla Beach Walk, Southern Sydney Credit: Monde Photo
The Cronulla Beach Walk is a 6km return walk from the beaches of Cronulla to a headland facing Royal National Park.
Ease into the evening
After a day at the beach or walking along the coast, it’s time to dress up and dive into Cronulla’s nightlife. Have a pre-dinner drink at Croydon Lane Wine & Tapas Bar, a hidden gem with an intimate atmosphere and pretty wine garden near the intersection of the Cronulla Street pedestrian mall and Kingsway, the main road leading down to the beach. The bar often hosts live music and there are colourful share plates along with an impressive wine list.
Or enjoy sunset drinks at Next Door Cafe, a bright and open-air bar, café and restaurant overlooking North Cronulla Beach that’s the ideal spot for an afternoon cocktail or wine. Children are most welcome and there’s a kids’ menu if you’d like to grab them an early dinner.
Dine in style
A great option for an afternoon drink is an aperitif at the Aprés Beach Bar at The Pines, a Hamptons-esque restaurant overlooking a row of Norfolk pines between North and South Cronulla beaches. Then settle in for sustainably grown Humpty Doo barramundi and Milly Hill lamb on a menu created by executive chef James Metcalfe, a veteran of Michelin-starred London restaurants.
Giro Osteria is another one of a string of innovative eateries in Cronulla making this southside beach suburb a hot foodie destination. The menu at Giro is faithfully Italian, with an edited menu of traditional Italian dishes that change frequently, depending on the seasonal produce available. The bonus? The view of North Cronulla Beach is stunning.
The chic and fun eatery C.C. Babcoq is all about contemporary comfort food with big, bold flavours. On the menu expect smoked meats, tasty rotisserie chickens and spiced vegetables, all designed to be shared with family and friends. And at bright and breezy Henry’s, Japanese-inspired dishes such as the chicken karaage and Tajima wagyu steak are meant to be shared, while you may want to keep the cocktail you’ve ordered all to yourself.
Call it a night
For two quirky drinking holes in one, tucked away inside American-style whisky saloon The Blind Bear on the pedestrian mall end of Cronulla Street, you’ll find hidden gem Happy Panda, an edgy Asian fusion cocktail bar lined with Chinese wallpaper. Have a nightcap here before returning to your room at Rydges Cronulla Beachside, a two-minute walk from Blind Bear on Kingsway. This resort-style hotel with a breezy decor overlooks North Cronulla Beach — check out the great views from your ocean-facing room, or grab a complimentary bike in the morning and continue exploring this beachside haven.
The Pines Cronulla Credit: Rachel Kara
The Pines restaurant in Cronulla, south of Sydney.
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The Pines Cronulla Credit: Rachel Kara
The Pines restaurant in Cronulla, south of Sydney.
Rydges Cronulla Beachside, Cronulla Credit: Rydges Cronulla Beachside
Looking out over North Cronulla, Elouera and Wanda beaches from Rydges Cronulla Beachside in Cronulla.
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Rydges Cronulla Beachside, Cronulla Credit: Rydges Cronulla Beachside
Looking out over North Cronulla, Elouera and Wanda beaches from Rydges Cronulla Beachside in Cronulla.
Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk, Palm BeachCredit: Destination NSW
Along the walk from Barrenjoey to Avalon on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
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While famous coastal walks like Bondi to Coogee are busy with locals and tourists alike, Sydney’s lesser-known beaches are hiding coastal hikes that are just as spectacular but far less trafficked. Make the most of the warmer weather by heading outdoors and planning a whole weekend around one of these scenic coastal walks: book into waterside glamour and spend the days finding serene strolls, adventurous clifftop climbs and everything in between. Once you’ve seen the stunning views, picnicked the secluded sands and swum in the pristine waters, settle in for a meal beside the water with the satisfaction of feeling like you’ve uncovered a local’s secret
Barrenjoey Lighthouse to Avalon Beach, Northern Beaches
The walk begins at the most northernmost point of Sydney’s coastline with a steep hike up Barrenjoey Headland, giving spectacular views of Pittwater on one side, Broken Bay on the other, and the century-old, sandstone Barrenjoey Lighthouse on the headland itself. The walk then traverses Palm Beach, the serene bushland of McKay Reserve (a popular spot for weddings), Whale Beach, the rugged Bangalley Head (the highest point on the Northern Beaches coastline) and finishes at Avalon Beach. Pick out the five species of banksias as you walk, then stand still for a moment to see if you can catch a glimpse of the delicate honeyeaters that come to sup on the plants.
Eat, stay, play:
Palm Beach has as many one-of-a-kind stays as it does world class beaches. Families and groups should book the ocean view luxury of Rockridge or the five-bedroom, magnesium pool and cedar hot tub of Crane Lodge, a private retreat surrounded by angophora bushland. Couples can get a romantic room at local boutique hotel Jonah’s (check out the award-winning restaurant, too) or a loft above the cute Barrenjoey House where you can pick up fish and chips or an Italian-inflected three-course meal. If you book the latter, it’s a short walk to the Palm Beach Headland at night where you can see one of the clearest night skies in Sydney (Australia’s first Urban Night Sky Place). The next morning, drop into The Joey for coffee on the water then book in with Salty Safaris for a Northern Beaches adventure that includes a surf lesson and a Bush to Bowl-led Indigenous cultural tour.
Narrabeen Lagoon to Manly Lagoon, Northern Beaches
This 12km Northern Beaches walk has it all: headlands, beaches, rock pools, lagoons and, if the season is right, bright wildflower blooms. Begin at the foreshore of Narrabeen Lagoon (also known as Narrabeen Lake), then wind your way across the long sands of Narrabeen and Collaroy Beach. Snap a photo of the view at the Long Reef Headland then pass the lagoons and beaches of Dee Why, Curl Curl and Freshwater, dropping in for a revitalising swim at each. The hike will take most of the day, but if you want to cut it short, there are bus stops at various points along the trail.
Eat, stay, play:
The walk can be done in either direction and regardless of which way you go, you can end the day in a room overlooking the water. On the north end, book one of 47 sunny balcony rooms at the Narrabeen Sands Hotel and on the southern end, you can check into the stylish luxury at the Manly Pacific (recently renovated to the tune of $30 million). Instead of packing lunch, stroll up to a table at Pilu in Freshwater for a luxurious Sardinian experience or the Harbord Hotel in Manly for a classy pub meal. On your recovery day, forage, feast and learn about native produce with a bush tucker and Indigenous cultural tour run in collaboration with social enterprise Bush to Bowl and locally owned and operated tour company Australia by Nature.
Jonah's Restaurant and Boutique Hotel, Whale Beach Credit: Jonah's
Outdoor terrace at Jonah's Restaurant and Boutique Hotel, Whale Beach.
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Jonah's Restaurant and Boutique Hotel, Whale Beach Credit: Jonah's
Outdoor terrace at Jonah's Restaurant and Boutique Hotel, Whale Beach.
North Narrabeen Rockpool, Narrabeen Credit: Destination NSW
Sun rising over North Narrabeen Rockpool, Narrabeen.
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North Narrabeen Rockpool, Narrabeen Credit: Destination NSW
Sun rising over North Narrabeen Rockpool, Narrabeen.
Botany Bay Coastal Walk, southern Sydney
Venture to Kurnell, a rugged headland at the mouth of Botany Bay, for a 13km trail winding through the Kamay Botany Bay National Park and down the coast to Cronulla, passing sand dunes, rock formations, heathland, hanging swamps and one of the most spectacular and underrated headlands in the state, Cape Solander. The headland’s lookout and track are one of the best spots for whale watching during the migration season from May to November. The trail also passes through Boat Harbour Aquatic Reserve, which is great for snorkelling and birdwatching (spot the endangered sooty oystercatchers and migratory waders). From the aquatic reserve, it’s a short walk down to the famous, long sands of Cronulla Beach.
Eat, stay, play:
Begin with a morning cuppa and a brekky roll at the waterside cafe Cook at Kurnell. When you reach your destination of Cronulla, The Shire’s cultural capital, treat yourself with beach views at Rydges Cronulla Beachside or, just to the north, Quest Woolooware Bay. There are countless quality dining options in walking distance. Embrace the local spirit and go for a stylish al fresco table at Italian-inspired Bobby’s or the relaxed modern Australian menu of Next Door. Use the next day to meander on Cronulla’s sands for 4km to Bass and Flinders Point, or get the historic ferry to Bundeena (the oldest operating commuter ferry in Australia) to explore the majestic Royal National Park, Australia’s first national park.
Jibbon Loop Track, Royal National Park
The 6.8km Jibbon Loop Track takes you from the pretty southern Sydney township of Bundeena and along a serene coast of the Royal National Park, introducing you to the wild scrub of the region, Aboriginal engravings and secluded beaches. You’ll quickly feel like you’re much further away from the city than just an hours’ drive. Take a little detour from the walk to check out Little Jibbon Beach, which has great views across to Cronulla, as well as Aboriginal engravings of local wildlife. Further along is Shelley Beach, a rocky bay that feels wild and isolated, and hosts expansive views off an unofficial lookout.
Eat, stay, play:
Start the walk early so you can finish the day with a dreamy kayak cruise of Bundeena and the Royal National Park with the eco-certified tour company Bundeena Kayaks. Before driving south, book into a Shared Knowledge tour where an Arakwal and Bundjalung guide will take you through the region’s Aboriginal culture, history and foods. Down south, wash off the salt water before an evening drink in front of water views from your room (or the bar) at Headlands on Austinmer Beach. Pick a South Coast beach to swim at the next day, drop into Darkes Glenbernie Orchard for an idyllic fruit picking experience and find out why Franco Pizza Bar is one of the most loved restaurants on this part of the coast.
Austinmer Beach, Austinmer Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Austinmer Ocean Pools, Austinmer Beach.
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Austinmer Beach, Austinmer Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Austinmer Ocean Pools, Austinmer Beach.
Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell in Sydney's south.
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Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell in Sydney's south.