Cronulla is an exciting beachside suburb with that quintessential Aussie balance of holiday and home feels. It contains all of the amenities you would need in life, plus easy rail and road access to additional features such as Westfield Miranda, Royal National Park and the airport.
While it has quite a young population overall, it’s well-suited to Sydneysiders of just about any age due to the variety of sports and leisure, dining and education opportunities to be found around the area.
In this suburb profile:
- Benefits of living in Cronulla
- Cronulla property market snapshot
- FAQ about Cronulla
The benefits of living in Cronulla
Schools
Residents of Cronulla are lucky to have easy access to a number of great schools, including both public and private. Cronulla Public School and Cronulla South School can cater for children anywhere from kindergarten age up to Year 6, then Cronulla High School is the main school for years 7 to 12 – with the latter having received two Director-General’s School Achievement Awards.
There are also two religious schools in the area, including St Aloysius Catholic Primary School and St Francis de Sales Catholic Primary School.
Transport links
While a number of bus routes do pass through Cronulla, most residents (especially those travelling to or from the city) prefer the train. Cronulla Station is located conveniently at the south end of Cronulla Street, right next to the ferry terminal and the suburb’s famous beach. In fact, it’s the only suburb in Sydney with direct train access to the beach!
From Cronulla to the CBD is about one hour, and the same line is also a convenient way to get to other parts of Sutherland Shire, like Caringbah or Westfield Miranda.
Beaches
Cronulla has easy access to some of the best beaches in Sydney, attracting swimmers, surfers, sun bathers and anyone else who just can’t get enough of the sea.
Cronulla Beach and North Cronulla Beach are just a hop from the town centre and offer excellent walking, swimming and surfing opportunities. Then there’s Shark Island, a famous bodyboarding spot popular among advanced and expert boarders looking for a challenge. Parks, pools and tidal baths make up much of the rest of coastal Cronulla, and the 4 km Cronulla Esplanade Walk is a favourite among morning joggers.
Food and dining
Cronulla is swiftly growing into a foodie paradise, gaining a reputation for high-quality cuisine with a relaxed, beachie atmosphere.
Cafes and restaurants are readily available up and down the peninsula, though most can be found in and around Cronulla Street, the retail heart of the suburb. The outdoor mall also features plenty of stores, ice cream shops, bakeries and essentials to make it a convenient one-stop shop for a day-tripping family, or anyone looking for a nice wander on a sunny day.
Sports and recreation
Cronulla is home to the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks who are based at Endeavour Field in Woolooware, known locally as Shark Park. But you’ll find plenty of other sporting opportunities in the area if you’re keen on joining a club, including surfing, martial arts, yachting, soccer, bowling, cheerleading, athletics, sailing and more.
Casual sportsgoers and those just looking for some exercise will enjoy Gunnamatta Park, Cronulla Esplanade and, of course, all the beaches. Royal National Park and Kurnell Peninsula are both just next door.
Cronulla property market snapshot
Note: These figures present a snapshot of the Cronulla property market at time of writing. Figures may have changed since then. To get a more up to date idea of property prices in the area, check out listings for sale in Cronulla or contact us for advice.
Cronulla as a suburb features not just home, but many units too. These tend to suit its relatively young population (mainly 20-39 years of age, without children), and the apartments also give Cronulla that classic Australian beach suburb feel.
- Median house price: $2,975,000 (down 9.8% since last year)
- Median unit price: $990,000 (up 2.1%)
For property investors, the area features relatively low vacancy rates and rental income is on the rise.
- Average rental yields, homes: 2.3%
- Average rental yields, units: 3.6%
- Median weekly rent, homes: $1,450
- Median weekly rent, units: $620
- Current vacancy rate: 1.82%
Learn more: Why lease your property in Sutherland Shire?
Sources: Data from realestate.com.au, Domain, Real Estate Investar
Frequently asked questions about Cronulla
Is Cronulla nice to live in?
Cronulla is considered one of the nicest suburbs in Sydney thanks to its gorgeous coastal views, easy access to parks and walking tracks, and generally well-manicured streetscape. It typically has both homes and units for sale, and residents enjoy the convenient schools, transport links, shops and eateries.
Why is Cronulla popular?
Cronulla is popular because it’s both a lovely place to live and a popular tourist attraction for Sydney visitors looking to escape the much busier city centre. The peninsula is essentially surrounded by swimming, wading, snorkelling, surfing and walking opportunities, plus at its heart is Cronulla Plaza – a retail and eating hub gaining a reputation for excellence.
Who are the traditional custodians of Cronulla?
The original name for the area which is now Cronulla was kurranulla, and was home to the Gweagal people of the Dharawal tribe – their descendants continue to live in Cronulla to this day. The suburb’s original name means ‘place of pink shells’, and many Aboriginal places of significance are still visible walking around the peninsula.