Visit The Shire

Winter is all about being in the bunker. Now that spring has sprung, there are loads of activities right on your doorstep that will inspire you to get out and about. These suggestions are as elastic as you want them to be, but they are great starting points for exploring Sutherland Shire.

Open your ears

Sounds of the Suburbs is reclaiming the streets for this year’s festival, which will again block off Wilbar Lane to include three stages, bars and food by El Sol and Queen Margherita of Savoy. Ease your way into the day by swaying along to Alex Lahey, Guantanamo Baywatch and James Crooks, before throwing yourself into the mosh pit for DZ Deathrays. As well as the three stages set up for the gig, there is an adjacent art room at Space 44. 

Visit the website for information.

Witness the dawn

Get up at ridiculous o’clock to catch the dawn rays painting the sky in all manner of pink and golden gorgeousness over the Pacific Ocean. While you’re up, you can either make a pilgrimage to one of the local cafes – such as Blackwood Pantry – or go for an early morning bushwalk along Lady Carrington Drive. Follow this historic kid-friendly cycling track from Audley until you reach beautiful Palona Cave, which has been carved out of limestone and is where you will find a cascading waterfall. You can download a map here.  Always check conditions with the National Park prior to setting out.

Jump in to spring

If you want to get fit for free, join a Live Life Get Active class, which are offered in Kurnell, Cronulla, Kareela, Menai and Miranda. Visit the website to register and book a session, which could include yoga, boxing or cross training. The classes are held Monday to Friday throughout the year, with the only break being school holidays.

Go and support the Sharkies

Game day is around the corner and Sharks’ Members can be the first to secure a place at the club’s preliminary Final fixture versus either the Cowboys or Broncos. Tickets go on sale from today for the September 23 game at Allianz Stadium. Visit the Sharks’ Pop-up Store at the Sharks Leagues Club to ensure you are covered head to toe in black, white and blue Head to www.nrl.com/tickets to secure your seats. Check out the website #whytnotus campaign. #upupcronulla

Pack a picnic 

The E.G. Waterhouse National Camellia Garden is one of the most picturesque picnic spots in Sydney. Located overlooking the glittering waters of Yowie Bay, it’s a pretty sweet spot to unfurl your red-checked blanket and soak up some sunshine. First-time visitors should take a guided tour of the garden, where the Camellia reticulata is now in full bloom. There is also a brochure that details some of the walks that weave around the award-winning garden. The brochure is available at the teahouse, which is located next to a fantastic playground. Visit the website.

Carla Grossetti is an award-winning journalist based in the Sutherland Shire. Visit www.carlagrossetti.com to see more of Carla’s stories.