Sutherland Shire sits at Sydney's southern edge with the Royal National Park as its backyard and Cronulla's beaches as its front yard. There's more free to do here than almost anywhere else in Sydney — if you know where to look.
Cronulla Beach
The main reason to come. Cronulla has multiple beach sections — the main surf beach, the calmer Gunnamatta Bay on the inlet side, and the protected Bate Bay stretching south toward Kurnell. The Gunnamatta Bay foreshore is particularly good for younger kids as it has calm water and a free swimming enclosure.
The whole foreshore promenade is free, wide, and walkable. The Cronulla train station drops you right at the beach.
Entry: Free Best for: All ages — Gunnamatta Bay foreshore for toddlers, main beach for older kids
Cronulla Rockpools
The foreshore has several accessible ocean rock pools, including the Cronulla Rockpool at the southern end of the main beach. Free and great for exploring at low tide.
Como and Georges River foreshore
About 15 minutes from Cronulla by car, the Como area has beautiful foreshore access on the Georges River. There are free picnic areas, BBQs, and a boat ramp area with calm river water that's safe for young kids.
Address: Como Bridge area, Como Entry: Free Facilities: BBQs, picnic tables, river access
Royal National Park
Entry is $12 per car (not per person), making it one of the cheapest half-days in Sydney. Within the park, you can access:
- Audley Weir area — calm river water, picnic facilities, canoe hire (paid). A classic Sydney family day out.
- Wattamolla Beach — a sheltered lagoon perfect for young swimmers, with a sea entry for older kids.
- Walking trails ranging from 30-minute strolls to full-day hikes.
If your goal is just a walk and a picnic, the $12 car entry spreads across the whole family and a few hours.
Entry: $12 per vehicle (National Parks annual pass saves money if you visit often)
Sutherland and Kirrawee Library
Sutherland Shire Libraries run free story time sessions at multiple branches — Sutherland, Kirrawee, Miranda, and Caringbah. Sessions book out fast in school holidays.
Find current sessions by searching "Sutherland" on Discover.
Free council events
Sutherland Shire Council and Georges River Council both run family events throughout the year. Browse upcoming events at Little Rascal.
Engadine area
The western edge of the Shire near Engadine and Heathcote has free bushwalking access to Royal National Park from the suburban streets. The Engadine bushwalking trails are a short drive from the station.
On a rainy day
- Sutherland Shire Library branches — free, good children's sections
- Miranda Westfield — large covered centre with play area
- Cronulla RSL / local clubs — some have children's areas
Getting there
Cronulla is at the end of the T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line, branching from Sutherland. It's about 1 hour from the CBD by train — and the fact that you can arrive at the beach by train is one of Cronulla's best selling points.
Updated May 2026. Know a great free spot in Sutherland Shire we've missed? Let us know.