The Cronulla Beach Walk follows the Esplanade for more than four kilometres of the Shire’s coastline south from Wanda Surf Lifesaving Club to Bass and Flinders Point, where the Hacking River meets the Tasman Sea. The pathway passes stunning beaches, child-friendly rock pools, parks, playgrounds, cafes and period houses interspersed with lavish new homes and apartments overlooking the water.

In the morning you’ll see locals out for a run or walk with friends, and swimmers striking out to the yacht buoy or Shark Island. In summer, watch nippers and lifesavers train and enjoy a dip at one of the many beaches along the walk. Everyone is out, from new mums with prams, families and kids on scooters to the stalwarts of Cronulla on their way to the RSL for lunch or a game of bowls. The footsteps on this walk have echoed since the early 1900s when Cronulla Beach was the place for Sydneysiders to holiday, and it remains a popular and social walk.

You can start the walk from any point, and if you arrive by train you can turn left or right at South Cronulla Beach. To do the whole walk from end to end, start at Wanda Surf Club and follow the path south, past Elouera Surf Club and along the wall to North Cronulla. Grab a coffee and let the kids play in the park before continuing to South Cronulla Beach for a swim between the flags or some exploring along the rocks.  

Continue past the beautiful art deco Cronulla Lifesaving Club built in the 1940’s, with the new RSL beer garden looming above, taking the stairs after you pass Zimzala restaurant. As you follow the path you’ll see Shark Island reef break and Blackwoods Beach, accessed down the rocks or by following the beach back past the Nuns Pool – a natural rock pool where according to locals the nuns would swim and bathe. Next you’ll spot Shelly Beach and Park, with lots of green space, barbeques and picnic tables, a fabulous gated children’s playground, toilets, showers and a ramp to the ocean pool. You can grab a bite to eat here at the Nuns Pool Restaurant or visit Shelly Park Shop for a milkshake and a burger, or chips on the beach. 

Continuing south you’ll reach Oak Park ocean pool and barbeque area, and just a little further on you’ll take the small incline up to Bass and Flinders Point. The monument will give you information about these two explorers from Captain Cook’s ship, who explored and named the Port Hacking in 1796 in their little rowing boat called the Tom Thumb II. 

From here you can retrace your steps or continue along the walk past Hungry Point to Salmon Haul, wandering back along Gunnamatta Bay on the western side of the peninsula past Darook Park and onto Gunnamatta Park and swimming area.

USEFUL INFORMATION

For the purposes of this walking trail, start at Wanda Surf Club and finish at Bass & Flinders Point. You can however choose to join the trail anywhere along the Esplanade. There are many points of interest along the way, so while we suggest it takes approximately one hour to walk the trail we recommend at least a few hours to enjoy it all.

This walk is considered Grade 1 & 2 Easy with disabled access and an alternative path behind the Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club to avoid the steps. The walker can choose the distance to cover and the ground is concrete and mostly flat with one moderate incline.

Refer to the Australian Walking Track Grading System.