It's Spring: five blooming great activities

ONE: Immerse yourself in first-ever survey of Shire artist's work

Some of the major works created by award-winning Cronulla artist Alexander McKenzie will be on display at Hazelhurst Gallery & Arts Centre until October 21. McKenzie, who first picked up a paintbrush at the age of five and has been a finalist in the Wynne Prize and Archibald Art Prize, has helped to co-curate the retrospective, entitled Alexander McKenzie: The Adventurous Gardener. McKenzie says he hopes the survey of his works will provide a pathway for gallery-goers to navigate the underlying narrative. 

Alexander McKenzie: The adventurous Gardener is on at Hazelhurst Arts Centre from August 25 – October 21.

TWO: Nab a bargain at Cronulla Spring Festival

The main shopping strip in Cronulla is set to morph into an outdoor marketplace for the annual spring fair. Join the bargain hunters perusing the pop-up stalls that belong to independent businesses and some of the sister stores in the strip. Amid the smattering of tables lined up on the street you will find shelves brimming with gourmet preserves, aromatic soaps and candles, framed photographs and heavily discounted surf and swimwear brands. And new to the festival this year is a free movie night. 'THE GREATEST SHOWMAN' will screen in Monro Park at sunset on Saturday 8 September.  

The sprawling beachside community festival will be held on September 8 and 9. Visit cronullaspringfestival.com.au

THREE: Get creative at the Art of Living Festival

Catch the Tom Thumb ferry from Cronulla to the 23rd annual Bundeena Maianbar Art of Living Festival. The event is designed to showcase the work of local artists, musicians and writers who call Bundeena home. Entries are now open for the 2018 art show, which is open to residents in Bundeena-Maianbar who are residents or who have links to the area. Market stalls, rides and a petting zoo, art show, dog show and live music funk legend Craig Calhoun. The village will also host its annual Bake Off as part of the fair's fundraiser with locals invited to make something fabulous for the competition. 

The Art of Living Festival will be held on September 28-30. 

FOUR: Enjoy a spot of tea at Camellia Gardens

The ritual of drinking tea is one that is taken to the next level at E.G. Waterhouse National Camelia Gardens. The sprawling property is a maze of secret gardens with watery wonderlands, duck ponds and of course the pretty grove of camellias, which blush pink and red and white right through into spring. What better way to celebrate the start of the Spring season than to order a pot of tea and scones and admire the pretty planned gardens where the first plantings were made in 1969. 

Visit the Camellia Gardens, 104 President Avenue Caringbah South. 

FIVE: Give your garden some love

The season has arrived to begin planting, pruning and weeding and giving your garden some love. Green thumbs know well how gorgeous a garden can look in spring as the soft light and bird song enhance the scene. The scent of thyme leaves, lavender-edged pathways and cut grass all invoke the season of spring and, as the days pass, and flowers emerge and foliage thickens, it's the time to add to what you've already created. 

Sutherland Shire Ratepayers should take the voucher they received with July rates notice to the Sutherland Shire Community Nursery to receive two free native seedlings and free advice. 

Annual plant giveaway, 345 The Boulevarde, Gymea; open Mon-Fri 7am-3pm (closed public holidays).