Great ways to celebrate Father's Day in the Sutherland Shire

Forget socks in lolly colours, novelty neck ties or beard trimmers this Father's Day. When this day dedicated to dads rolls around on September 1, 2019, why not think laterally and give him a day he'll truly appreciate. Journalist Carla Grossetti has put together a selection of great activities for Dads in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy a family day in Como
Make dad forget about his busy corporate life in the city with a trip to Como Pleasure Grounds. The suburb is home to some 2.2 ha of parkland, a third of which includes natural areas such as bushland, riverside walks and tidal baths. After walking around the meandering path near Como Pleasure Grounds, hire a runabout from Como Marina so dad can fish around the Georges River, which is about 100km long. Finish your adventure with lunch at Como Waterfront Cafe, Blackfish Café or the Thai Rim Nam restaurant.

Admire indigenous rock art
Drop into the Royal National Park Visitor's Centre to get directions to the rock engravings at Jibbon Beach, where there is a platform with information about the engravings made by the Gweagal people, a clan of the Dharawal tribe and the original custodians of the land. Take a beauitful walk along Lady Carrington Drive, or hire a boat or a bike in Audley village. Arrange for your siblings to surprise dad with a post-hike lunch at the Audley Dance Hall Café. He'll have earnt it. Hot tip: Download the interactive Royal National Park map app before you go.

Take your dad on a craft beer crawl
The craft beer scene in the Sutherland Shire has really taken off in recent years. Dob in your sibling to be the designated driver and string a few micro-breweries together and, before you know it, you are on a craft beer crawl in the Shire. Get a tour and a tasting at Hairyman Brewery in Caringbah, Shark Island Brewing Company and Sunday Road Brewing Co., both in Kirrawee. Continue your beer crawl at The Bangor Tavern, The Prince Hotel or The Blind Bear. Hot tip: Take dad to the Shark's Home Game and then to Hairyman for a food truck feed. 

Give your Dad the Tex Mex treatment
Urge your Dad to groom his moustache in the manner of a 'dirty Sanchez' for Father's Day so he feels king of the casa at El Camino Cantina at Westfield Miranda. The Tex Mex chain, part of the Rockpool Dining Group will make Dad the focus on Father's Day with free face painting from noon to 3pm, a Kids' Eat Free offer, and a special Father's Day feast ($39 per person). The 280-seat rooftop cantina, which boasts panoramic views of Sydney, is a riot of colour -- all ablaze with neon lights and fluorescent signage and a Day-of-the-Dead inspired artwork by Australian surf artist Ben Brown – making it perfect for a sunset soiree. Let the Bad Dad Dancing begin. Hot tip: Daily deals include happy hour every weekday between 4pm and 6pm and $2 taco Tuesdays.

Take Dad for a round of golf
Your father has considered you his unofficial caddie since you were old enough to walk, right? So why not scamper after him around the fairways while oohing and aahing over his swing and carrying his clubs. There are a range of public golf courses in the Shire: they include Kareela Golf Course, an 18-hole public golf course; The Ridge Golf Course, an 18-hole championship standard course; and Woolooware Golf Course, an 18-hole public golf course. If your dad has his heart set on improving his handicap, get him golf lessons with a pro at Woolooware Golf Course ($65 for half an hour). If the weather is not looking quite so good, head to X-Golf at Caringbah where dad can practice his swing using the state of the art indoor golf simulators.
Hot tip: Challenge your dad to nine holes during twilight golf at Woolooware Golf Course from 2pm.

Father's Day Breakfast and Lunch Cruise
Take your dad for a leisurely cruise on Father's Day around the glittering waterways of Port Hacking aboard the T.S.M.V. Gunnamatta. The two-and-a-half hour breakfast cruise includes a glass of Champagne on arrival, orange juice, freshly prepared fruit salad, a big breakfast and toast, tea, coffee and a croissant. Lunch onboard the Gunnamatta ferry is fully equipped with galley facilities and a well-stocked bar. It includes a complimentary glass of wine or beer, a three-course meal and tea and coffee. Hot tip: Breakfast cruise is $65 per person; lunch cruise is $70 per person.

Carla Grossetti is an award-winning local journalist. Follow her food and travel adventures around the globe at @food.travel.stories on Instagram. To read more of Carla's stories, visit www.carlagrossetti.com