We are spoiled for choice when it comes to fun things to do here in the Sutherland Shire. Make sure you pop a few of these exciting activities in your calendar and enjoy some new experiences with the kids (and kids-at-heart) these school holidays.
1. Go on a Ferry Ride
The little ones will surely enjoy a ferry ride to picturesque Bundeena, set against the remarkable backdrop of the Royal National Park. Plan a day trip – starting off with a train ride to Cronulla then a ferry ride to Bundeena. Kids will surely love Bundeena’s sandy beaches and calm and shallow waters, or a lovely bushwalk through the national park. The older ones can also try watersports like the Bundeena Kayaks or stand-up paddleboard.
2. Enjoy Nature
Right smack in the heart of the Royal National Park is a serene spot called Audley Boat Hire and Café, a natural oasis on the banks of the Port Hacking River and Kangaroo Creek. Start off with a family-friendly breakfast, lunch, or just cake and coffee at the large outdoor terrace area of Audley Dance Hall & Café. Housed in a historic heritage-listed building, it serves old school classics and wholesome fresh foods. You may also buy food here for a picnic on the grassy areas surrounded by big shady trees. The Audley Boat Shed rents out kayaks, row boats, canoes and aqua bikes for you to explore the river and creek. They also have mountain bikes with beautiful riding tracks to explore.
Another great idea is a visit to EG Waterhouse Camellia Garden in Caringbah, which overlooks Yowie Bay. Flowers are in bloom year-round and the kids will be entertained with lots of ducks to chase and feed. There are two great playgrounds for them to enjoy and lovely picnic spots and bbq areas. If you prefer to skip the picnic, the Camellia Gardens Teahouse serves high tea, breakfast and lunch. Call 9540 2018 to book a table.
We are lucky to have so many great playgrounds in the Shire for your kids to enjoy.
3. Go Artsy
Perhaps the most family-friendly place in the Shire, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre is a whimsical venue with a gallery, activity space, café and stunning landscaped gardens. They offer courses, workshops, activities for children such as stroller-friendly tours of the regularly changing exhibition and hands-on art activities. The Hazelhurst Café has yummy food, a great kids’ menu and you can sit and eat while the kids run about on the grass and play in the sand pit.
4. Shop, Watch, Jump, Dine
At Westfield Miranda, the retail precinct, shopping is not all the family can do. You can watch movies, let the kids play and climb at the indoor play areas, and choose where to dine from the many family-friendly restaurants.
Or give your local suburban shopping centres like Kareela Village, Southgate, Menai Marketplace and Cronulla Mall a visit. As they often have school holiday activities planned.
5. Discover Secrets
We’re letting you in on the Shire’s well-kept secrets. Silver Beach is a gorgeous stretch of water on the Kurnell peninsula fronting Botany Bay. It’s quiet, great for kids to play and swim in, and is filled with fish. You may want to go snorkeling or fishing. You can also watch kitesurfers zipping across Botany Bay.
Another hidden gem is Cook at Kurnell, they have a vintage airstream food truck serving delicious breakfasts, coffees, hamburgers, nibbles and beverages beachside and an impress kids play area.
While you’re there, head on to nearby Kamay Botany Bay, Captain James Cook’s Landing Place. Learn about the rich history and cultural significance of the place at the exhibition centre.
6. Travel Back in Time
Trams were part of everyday life in Sydney for over 80 years until 1961. At the Sydney Tramway Museum, jump on board, get your ticket from the conductor, and enjoy the 4-kilometre track towards Sutherland and the Royal National Park. The museum displays the oldest operating electric tram in Australia dating back to 1896, a wide selection of Sydney Trams, an interstate collection of trams from Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Ballarat, and Bendigo, as well as trams from overseas including San Francisco, Nagasaki, Munich, Milan and Berlin. The Sydney Tramway Museum, located at Loftus right next to the railway station and entirely run by volunteers, has been a unique attraction in the Sutherland Shire for over 50 years.
7. Hit the Beach in Cronulla
Just because summer is over doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy all the seaside has to offer. With 11 kilometers of golden sandy beaches to enjoy be sure to head down to the waters edge in Cronulla for some fun in the sun these holidays. You have the choice of four lifeguard-patrolled beaches – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Elouera and Wanda. Out of these, Cronulla Beach is probably the most popular for families. It is patrolled all year-round (even in winter) and Cronulla Park and playground are right behind the beach.
Remember, the sun can be just as harsh in the cooler months as it is in summer so don’t forget to slip, slop, slap!
8. Go Wild!
Experience wildlife at the Symbio Wildlife Park, home to hundreds of animals. OK, this one is not in the Shire, but it’s worth the trip!
The children will be amazed seeing a rare Sumatran tiger, cheetahs and lemurs, or cuddling a koala or feeding a kangaroo. They will also enjoy the shows and demonstrations throughout each day and the picnic areas. Symbio has a koala breeding sanctuary and a state-of-the-art reptile house with many amazing reptiles, including the world’s most venomous snake.
Have the happiest holidays with these exciting adventures that you and your little ones will surely enjoy!
9. If you’re looking for more specific school activities make sure you check out our SCHOOL HOLIDAY GUIDE.
