The Cronulla Beach Walk follows the Esplanade for more than four kilometres of the Shire’s coastline south from Wanda Surf Life Saving Club to Hungry Point Reserve, 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 Cronulla Beach. To do the whole walk from end to end, start at Wanda Surf Life Saving Club and follow the path south, past Elouera Surf Life Saving Club and along the wall to North Cronulla. Grab a coffee and let the kids play in the park before continuing to Cronulla Beach for a swim between the flags or some exploring along the rocks.  

Continue past the beautiful art deco Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club built in the 1940’s, with the RSL beer garden looming above, taking the stairs after you pass Bobbys restaurant. As you follow the path, you’ll see Shark Island reef break, Blackwoods Beach and the Nuns Pool – a natural rock pool where according to locals the nuns would swim and bathe. Next, you’ll spot Shelly Beach Ocean Pool 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 Nun’s Pool Cafe 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. 

Continue along to the new elevated walkway past Salmon Haul Reserve in a westerly direction. There is a rest point, viewing deck and destination lookout to take in the beautiful views across the Port Hacking and to the townships of Bundeena and Maianbar.

From here you can retrace your steps back to where you started or back to the access stairs which will take you around to Darook Park Reserve on the picturesque Gunnamatta Bay.

View the stunning vistas of the new extended walk via our interactive map.