Beach & Bay's Real Estate Blog » Cronulla

10 Things to Do in the Sutherland Shire

Rachael Lord — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 01:22:40 +0000

Is this winter weather keeping you firmly planted to the lounge? Get up, put on your shoes, and go do at least one of these things on this list!

Go whale Watching at Cape Solander
Catch a ferry to Bundeena and see the Bundeena/Maianbar Art Trail (first Sunday of the month)
Join one of the Cronulla swimming clubs and go ocean swimming between 5am and 8am (we haven’t road tested this one just yet….)
Visit the Hazelhurst Art Gallery in Gymea
Play 10 pin bowling at Sylvania (at least its in-doors!)
Visit the Brass Monkey Cronulla mid-week. There are always incredibly talented local and international bands playing week in and week out.
Spoil yourself and eat at Summersalt restaurant in Cronulla on a clear night (Enjoy that view)
Visit the Camelia Gardens in Caringbah and feed the ducks
Play a round of golf at Kareela Golf Course
Go for a bushwalk around Waterfall

2010 Sutherland to Surf

Murray Spencer — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 04:51:29 +0000

I’m sure there are plenty of aching legs in the Shire this morning!

Yesterday over 7000 people lined up to take part in the 2010 Sutherland to Surf. The overnight rain made for a very wet road, but the sun came out as the pelaton (I have Le Tour fever) followed the Kingsway down to the Cronulla beaches towards the finish, making for an enjoyable (and exhausting) morning.

Rachael, Murray and Natalie from the Beach and Bay team ran the 11km in (almost) record time. Kylie’s fund raising efforts are focused elsewhere as she runs the final legs of her own personal marathon as Dry July draws ever closer to its end!

Beach and Bay were part of the Australian Youth Against Cancer (AYAC) running group, who collectively managed to raise over $4000 (and counting). Beach and Bay would like to congratulate Chris Boyd and the AYAC team on their efforts yesterday in raising so much money.

Congratulations also to everyone who completed the 11km course. The City to Surf is coming up next month and spots are filling very fast, so get involved! Online registration can be found here.

Grind Espresso Cronulla Beach

Kylie Emans — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 11:24:37 +0000

Everyone who lives in Cronulla and loves coffee knows Richard Calabro’s Grind, and since opening 9 years ago Grind has consistently put Cronulla on the Sydney coffee lover’s map.
There is no doubt that Richard and his team are passionate about coffee, they are probably what you would call obsessed and most of their customers are obsessed with their coffee.
If you are a Grind follower, the Grind team will know your name, know your coffee and you will be part of the family, you might even have your photo on the wall, many do, even Kochie, who is not a Cronulla Beach resident. Grind even has a catch cry “I’d rather be at the Grind” and there are photos of Grind followers in various places around the world and doing various activities holding up this catch cry (even a wedding photo or 2!)
One of the differences with Grind to other café’s in Cronulla is that all they do is coffee, and do they make a lot of coffee. Ok, you can choose from a small selection of cakes like banana bread but really Grind, Cronulla Beach is for people who want a quick, superbly made cappuccino, latte, ristretto, flat white, espresso, long black , short black, to have in or take away.
The Grind seems to be open 24/7, at 6am on a weekday you might walk past and see 20 cyclists enjoying a cappuccino after their morning sprint or on the weekend, funky inner city types line up with local mums and dads, triathletes and football clubs for their coffee fix.
Yet again this week Grind was mentioned in the Sydney Morning Herald Good Living Guide, along with coffee institutions like Campos Coffee in Newtown and Bean Drinking in Crows Nest. In the article I discover Richard has purchased/invested in 2 new generation La Marzocco GB/5 machines. Sounds impressive, I am off to check out the new machines…

Grind Espresso – 2 Surf Rd, Cronulla

Toy Story 3 now on at Cronulla Cinemas

Murray Spencer — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 06:23:07 +0000

It’s been fifteen years since Toy Story first revolutionised cinema as the first computer-generated image (CGI) feature-length film, and this third instalment is the stunningly heartbreaking conclusion – all in 3D!

Andy is now 17 and off to college. It is the end of an era and the toys face the depressing realisation that they’re time with Andy is over. They soon find themselves at Sunnyside Day Care Centre, a proverbial paradise for toys run by the cute and not-so-cuddly Lotso (Ned Beatty).

After a relatively slow start the movie picks up at a frenetic pace, with twists, turns and plenty of laughs culminating in a spectacular conclusion.

Toy Story 3 is nothing short of brilliant. This film appeals to everyone, regardless of age. Family films are extremely hard to do well, but Toy Story 3 hits every nail on the head with brutal accuracy. I actually struggled to keep back crocodile tears on more than one occasion. Picture that – an adolescent youth struggles to keep back tears as a toddler in the next chair laughs excitedly and claps his hands.

What really makes this movie special though is the profound sense of realism. These characters are literally built from scratch on a computer, yet they manage to tug at all your heart strings far better than most live actors do. It is extremely well written and intensely clever.

All the original voices return with Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear and Joan Cusack as Jessie, as well as a cast of new characters. Worthy of note is Michael Keaton as the very loveable albeit flamboyant Ken.

I highly recommend this movie to anyone who grew up loving the Toy Story series. It is rare that the third movie in a series satisfies, but Toy Story 3 goes above and beyond anything I expected. Five stars!

Toy Story 3 is now screening at Cronulla Cinema Centre. Click for session times and other information.

Dry July Fundraiser at Bass & Flinders Cronulla

Rachael Lord — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 06:50:28 +0000

To celebrate the halfway mark of our Dry July, the Beach & Bay team got together with clients and friends at Bass & Flinders Cronulla for some coffee and cupcakes. We have been keeping a Dry July diary so if you would like to know how we are coping – have a read!

Everyone who attended donated $2 to our Dry July fund and special mention to the Travelscene Cronulla girls who donated $60. Thanks to everyone who has supported us so far, put up with our whinging and encouraged us when we were about to lose it and grab the wine bottle.

For anyone interested in supporting the Price of Wales Hospital – please give kindly. A donation big or small will be much appreciated. Every dollar counts!

We would like to thank everyone who has been involved so far! Halfway through the month and over halfway to our target of $2000 ($1175 so far!).

To donate click here – Booze Free Beach & Bay Realty

To see photos from the day, or see the amazing cupcakes see our flickr site!

Sutherland to Surf is only weeks away!

Murray Spencer — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:14:49 +0000

The Sutherland to Surf is fast approaching, which means my well-planned and rigorous training schedule is quickly falling by the wayside. In my mind I planned to run a few days a week in the months leading up to the race, but the body just couldn’t follow through. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

If you haven’t already, sign up! You can walk, run or roll the 11km down to Wanda Beach from Sutherland in any fashion you choose. 5000 competitors are expected to line up this year in the 39^th Sutherland to Surf.

The team at Beach and Bay will be there with bells on. We are running with Australian Youth Against Cancer (AYAC), a charity we have featured on our blog before. If you sign up and want to help out a worthy cause, jump on their website to join their running group or email ayac.fundraising@gmail.com.

When will the waves come?

Murray Spencer — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 04:32:32 +0000

It’s almost a month to the day since I did a short write up on the Shark Island Challenge. We haven’t forgotten about it, nor have we lost interest. The riders are still hanging around town on stand-by, but Mother Nature refuses to deliver the goods.

The month-long waiting period for the Shark Island challenge, which started June 14^th, will end in two days. And I must say… the forecast doesn’t look good.

Luckily, the waiting period has been extended. Officials now have until August 5^th to allow the ocean to provide contestable waves.

The extension is great news for those interested in the Shark Island Challenge, but it is certainly frustrating that it has come to this. In the past month, Cronulla (and most of the NSW coast) has failed to deliver waves over three foot. Adding to the frustration is the fact that the Island and the East Coast saw pumping waves for a good month or two in the lead up to the waiting period.

Local contestants Sam Strachan and Shaun Pyne managed to relieve their thirst for waves with a short trip to South Australia last week, and by all reports they scored three days of amazing waves.

You can stay up to date on all things bodyboarding, including the Challenge, on Fluidzone.

Booze Free Beach & Bay Realty: Week 1 Dry July

Rachael Lord — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 05:05:25 +0000

In just over a week our team for Dry July has raised over $905. A big congratulations to Mel A who has raised $305 of this (and is the one who inspired us to get involved!). We have 6 participants (all female) and are both loving and hating the experience.

In a week we are exercising more, feeling fresher, avoiding hangovers and navigating social situations booze free. We are also eating more chocolate to compensate, complaining quite a lot and reflecting on how alcohol has come to play such a huge part in our daily lives (quite scary!)

I’m finding the challenge quite tough as am in the thick of 21^st season – 2 per weekend with unlimited free bar tabs. It’s not easy that’s for sure, but it’s a hell of a lot easier than dealing with cancer (obviously!) and so whenever I begin to feel sorry for myself, I just have to remember that this is a tiny tiny challenge in comparison!

We have been logging our experience in a daily journal and you can read more about everyones struggles here! I also found this hilarious video a fellow Dry Julyer made (hopefully it doesn’t get to this point!)

Kylie has been full of energy and ideas this week – getting more and more excited about the amount of money we are raising and the impact this will have on The Prince of Wales hospital and the adult cancer patients we are directly helping. In order to celebrate our halfway mark we are organising a get together at Bass & Flinders café in Cronulla next Friday 16^th July. Friends and clients are more than welcome to join us – to share a coffee (not Irish ok!) and a cupcake (famous Cupcake Kitchen ones). We are asking for a $2 entry donation to go towards our fundraising and anyone who has already donated is especially encouraged to come as a thank you!

Cupcakes & Coffee to celebrate Dry July

Where: Bass & Flinders, Cronulla

When: Friday July 16th at 11am

What to bring: Yourself, some positive encouragement for Dry Julyers, $2 donation & money for coffee

Please email info@beachandbay.com.au or phone the office on 9527 0008 if you would like to join us. (So Kylie can bake enough cupcakes!).

Cheers!

8 Kurnell Rd Cronulla = Relaxed Coastal Living

Murray Spencer — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 06:54:46 +0000

Certain houses just have a feel about them. Some exude style, sophistication and extravagance whilst others offer a cosy retreat. Our latest listing, 8 Kurnell Road, offers quintessential coastal living right in the heart of Cronulla.

Within a stone’s throw of Cronulla Golf Course and situated only minutes to the sandy beaches of Cronulla, 8 Kurnell Road is an idyllic family home. This beautifully sunlit beach house is all about the lifestyle it allows.

The indoor/outdoor living areas flow from the Caesar Stone kitchen through to the backyard, so that parents can glance to check on children playing on the level lawn or in the in-ground pool while cooking dinner or entertaining.

The bedroom/bathroom ratio is well balanced too with 2 bedrooms and one bath upstairs, a bedroom wing downstairs with bathroom in between and a third bathroom adjourning a bedroom overlooking the backyard, which could be perfect for grandparents or guests.

There are living areas on both levels; double garaging with internal access; natural gas; floorboards throughout the downstairs living area; guest toilet and when you enter there is a clever entrance foyer to remove the wetsuit or hang the coat up before entering the house.

Is this the perfect beach house?

Whale Watching In The Sutherland Shire

Murray Spencer — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 01:29:20 +0000

I surf quite regularly in the waters off Botany National Park and Boat Harbour, and I have seen my fair share of wildlife. In the last few months I’ve seen a fully grown buck (male deer), seals, penguins, red-belly black snakes, turtles, dolphins and – regrettably – one tiger shark. But the most spectacular life experience I think I’ve had to date was with two whales. As we check the surf, we watched two whales breaching for at least half an hour just outside Bate Bay. Once we entered the water, within half an hour the two whales were less than 50 metres from where we were surfing, spouting water and rolling their giant fins and tails in the air. It was both terrifying and awe-inspiring at the same time to see such gentle giants cruise past completely unphased by our presence.

It would appear then that whale season is upon us! Every winter hundreds of whales hug the NSW coastline as they migrate north to breed. Late May through to early August is the best time to catch a glimpse of nature’s giants as the water temperatures start to decline.

Botany Bay National Park is running a whale watching shuttle service during the migration season. This service will take you from the main car park (just inside the entrance to the National Park) all the way out to Cape Solander, where you can watch the whales track north to breed. The service is free and runs every weekend from 11am – 4pm. For more information on the National Park’s whale watching activities, check their newly created website. For a map of where to sight whales in Sydney – see here.

Alternatively, Club O2 is running a whale-watching walking tour through the National Park. You’ll receive a guided tour along the 14km coastal track from Jibbon Beach down to Marley, as well as a hearty lunch and ferry fares. It’s a great way to get fit and enjoy the view at the same time. Prices start from $70 and the walk takes around 8 hours. Check out Club O2 online for more details.

Photo by Kate Gray taken from Wild About Whales