Our side
of Cronulla.

Long before we knew each other, Cronulla was somewhere we both loved. Our parents brought us here as kids, and those visits left us each with the same quiet thought: wouldn’t it be lovely to live here one day?

In time, we both found our way here. And, in a lovely little turn of fate, we found each other here too. The place we’d each dreamed of calling home became part of our story together.

There have been so many happy family moments here since. Yet it’s often the everyday things that remind us how lucky we are: a walk beside the water, a swim, a coffee and time with the people who make this community feel like home.

It still has that holiday feeling, even when it’s just an ordinary day. We hope a little of that comes through as we show you around. These are the beaches, pools, parks and bay-side corners we love, with our local guides if somewhere catches your eye.

Start at South Cronulla and you’re right in the middle of beach life. For us, this is the meeting place: a swim, a coffee, a catch-up or a bit of time on the grass. Shops and food are close by, and the station is only a short walk away.

It’s a lovely starting point if you haven’t been here before. You can settle into the park, have a look at the pools or follow the coast north. We love it early in the morning, and we love the lively atmosphere as summer afternoons turn into evenings.

North Cronulla is our pick when little kids are part of the outing. Dunningham Park has a big playground, room for bikes and scooters, and places for the adults to sit. There are plenty of food options nearby, so a play, a picnic and a beach visit can all happen in the same part of the day.

Keep heading north to Elouera Beach for open sand, beachfront food and the grassy hill. We love sitting up there watching the action pass by and the light change. It’s one of our favourite places for sunrise photographs. If the wind picks up, hold onto your hat.

Then there’s Wanda. Come for the beach, the walk north or a workout at Don Lucas Reserve. We reckon it’s Cronulla’s best workout park, with the ocean beside you and basketball facilities nearby. Bring your exercise gear or a picnic rug. Both make sense here.

You don’t have to cover all four in one visit. Pick the part that suits you, spend some time there and leave another stretch for next time. That’s one of the lovely things about having so much coastline together.

Walk south from the main beach and you’ll find smaller places tucked into the coastline. The Esplanade lets you enjoy the water without needing to get in it. Some days, the walk and the view are all we’re after.

Blackwoods Beach sits below the cliffs between South Cronulla and Shelly. We love its sunrise light and the fun atmosphere on a good-weather afternoon. But the water here deserves serious respect. It’s unpatrolled, and even a little swell or current can make it very dangerous. Looking down from the Esplanade is a lovely way to enjoy it when swimming isn’t suitable.

For a family picnic, we’d bring you to Shelly Beach. There’s lawn and shade above the ocean pool, a fenced playground and food across the road. It’s the sort of place where the outing can be as simple as a rug on the grass, some snacks and time together.

Further south is Oak Park, our favourite. The pool, the reef, the park and the view bring so many things we enjoy into one place. Our full guide takes a closer look at the swimming, snorkelling and wildlife we’ve photographed here, from schools of salmon to whales passing along the coast.

The rock pools change with the tide and the sea. Choose conditions that suit the people you’re with, keep children close and use the practical information in each guide before deciding to swim. A beautiful photograph captures a moment, not a promise of what the water will be doing when you arrive.

There’s plenty to enjoy with your swimmers still in the bag. Watch the surfers, stop for a photograph or find a place on the grass. Being beside the ocean is a good enough reason to come.

Cronulla has more to offer than the open surf. On the western side, Gunnamatta Bay gives you a different sort of afternoon: the tidal baths, a sandy shore and a shady park behind the water.

If you’re happier away from the ocean surf, this is one of our favourite places to start. You can spend time on the boardwalk, bring a picnic or simply sit and watch the boats. The station and town are close, which makes it an easy outing without a car.

Cronulla Wharf is nearby, with the ferry connection across Port Hacking to Bundeena. It’s worth a look even if you’re staying on this side. The boats, marina and waterfront food give you a reason to linger. Our Wharf guide has the details if you’re planning the crossing.

Further down the bay, Darook Park is another of our favourites. We love the sand, the trees and the views across the water. For an afternoon that revolves around a picnic and time by the shore, it’s hard to go past in our eyes.

At the southern end of the peninsula, Hungry Point gives you a clifftop walk with views across Port Hacking to Bundeena and Royal National Park. Take your time and watch the boats pass. It’s somewhere we’d happily come just for the outlook.

And there’s Salmon Haul, a little swimming stop at the southern end of the Esplanade when conditions suit. We like bringing goggles and having a look beneath the surface. Check the tide before you go, because the little patch of beach changes considerably as the water rises.

These are all different outings. A day at Darook doesn’t have to include the whole peninsula, and a walk to Hungry Point doesn’t need to turn into a swim. Follow what appeals to you and give yourself room to stop.

The beach is what brings so many people here. For us, it’s the people and the community that make us want to stay.

That sense of belonging is as much a part of our side of Cronulla as the beaches and pools. Starting Rob & Sue - Party of 2 here felt natural. It’s a place close to both our hearts, and one we love sharing.

One of the things we enjoy about Cronulla is how easily a beach outing can include something to eat. You can make a meal the occasion, grab something for the grass or stop for a coffee between walks.

Our South Cronulla guide covers Bobby’s, Barefoot on the Beach and the food options around the main beach. North Cronulla has plenty of variety too, with the park and sand close by.

For lunch around the pools, look at Shelly Beach. We rate The Nuns’ Pool, and the corner shop gives you an easier takeaway option. Over at Elouera, Bianchini’s and Summer Salt sit beside the beachfront. Wanda has the Top Shop and the surf club café, while Pippi’s at the Wharf gives you a bay-side setting.

Those guides are the starting points for choosing where to stop. There’s no need to build the whole day around a booking if you’d rather keep things easy. Sometimes a takeaway coffee and a place to sit are exactly what we’re after.