The Shire was literally the first point Captain Cook landed in 1770 and the birthplace of modern Australia.

These days, it’s a suburb that inspires a relaxed lifestyle with plenty on offer including easy access to those beautiful beaches, an inclusive community and great facilities for people of every generation.

Sound good? The locals certainly think so. And if you’re lucky enough to live there, here are the five reasons you’ll never want to leave.

1. BEACHES

If you’re a beach lover then you’re spoiled for choice with the stunning beaches in the Shire – stretching from the Cronulla coastline to the Royal National Park.

Cronulla Beach is a popular family beach and is even patrolled in the winter months, while North Cronulla Beach with its rocky shoreline and two small ocean baths is perfect for relaxing.

There are numerous other beaches dotted along the coast – including beaches that are dog-friendly, have great swimming conditions or traditional beach kiosks.

And perhaps the best thing about them? The Shire beaches are far less busy than other Sydney beaches, which means more space for you to enjoy the sun and surf!

2. COMMUNITY

Despite being a metropolitan council, the Shire remains a distinct and close-knit community, with an emphasis on getting to know your neighbours.

This community spirit was front-of-mind for developers Capital Bluestone when they first began planning their new Woolooware Bay development. The company, in conjunction with the Cronulla Sharks, gathered input from the community to ensure they could contribute to the overall vision.

This strong community spirit is also reflected by the number of loyal Cronulla Sharks’ supporters – with club members soon be the beneficiaries of the rejuvenated Sharks Leagues Club. The regeneration of the club is happening as a part of the Woolooware Bay development.

3. ACTIVITIES AND LIFESTYLE

Given all the natural beauty surrounding the Shire, there’s a big emphasis on outdoor activities and facilities.

There are numerous parks and play areas, and Woolooware Bay will add to those with more foreshore parklands, including a Livvi’s Place playground, which is an inclusive play space aimed at creating heathier and happier lives for children.

The region is also home to a multitude of sporting facilities including bike paths, bush trails, sports fields and an Olympic swimming pool complex, tennis courts and basketball stadium.

Golf is also a very popular pastime, which is reflected in the many golf courses in the area, including the Woolooware Golf Course. This course is directly across the road from Woolooware Bay, with the Cronulla Golf Club just a short walk away.

4. SHOPPING

Residents of the Shire boast they have no need to leave and it’s easy to understand why, with a vast number of shopping options at your doorstep.

Westfield Miranda is a largest shopping centre in the area and is home to every shop you could imagined, including David Jones, Myer, Apple and major supermarkets. In 2014, a major development saw the addition of a new gourmet food market, and a rooftop dining and entertaining precinct.

The centre is only a 14-minute bus rise from Woolooware Bay, which itself will be home to a new retail centre.

The new Bay Central retail centre will feature the rejuvenated Sharks Leagues Club, supermarkets, a fresh food marketplace, medical centre, specialty stores and dining precinct. The Club itself will also be connected to the stadium, foreshore and new dining precinct.

5. OPPORTUNITY

While being the place that Captain Cook first made landfall in Australia, Sutherland is still a relatively young suburb that was widely viewed as a holiday destination and somewhere fairly remote and rural until the 1960s.

For this reason, people were able to get ahead and buy waterfront properties for a reasonable price, all on the basis of their hard work.

It’s still the perfect place to either buy your first home, upgrade or downsize and still enjoy a lifestyle that you love.

And the popularity of the Shire is only increasing – this was reflected when the first stage of Woolooware Bay’s residential precinct was released and $100 million worth of apartments sold in just eight hours.

It’s little wonder, with residents of Woolooware Bay being able to enjoy the use of exceptional shared facilities including a rooftop sunset cinema, deck with lagoon pool and barbecue area featuring cabana style seating and lounge furniture.

Stage 3 of the project will soon be released. To find out more, register your interest below.