The name 'Cronulla Beaches' was given in 1827 to the several Cronulla beaches by Surveyor Dixon. After the railway reached Sutherland in 1885, the area become popular as a holiday and picnic spot, especially after the steam tram from Sutherland opened in 1911. The Oriental Hotel, on the present car park behind the North Cronulla Hotel, was built by Captain Spingall in 1888. With the increased popularity of motor cars in the 1920s, Cronulla developed rapidly and many of the buildings in Cronulla Street date from the 1930s, as do St.Andrews Church (1934) and the railway station (1939). In the 1950s and 1960s, most of the holiday guest houses were replaced by high rise apartments.

Cronulla has a large range of property styles to suit varying budgets. These range from original and renovated apartments, luxury resort-style townhouses and apartments, magnificent waterfront homes, beachfront properties, contemporary architecturally designed homes and duplexes.

Cronulla features a large array of neighbourhood stores, such as newsagents, chemists, grocery stores, video stores, supermarkets, book stores, delicatessens, butchers and bakeries. The main shopping centre is Cronulla Bicentennial Plaza, which was developed in 1988 as part of the Bicentenary celebrations. Over the years, the Plaza has evolved and now encompasses more than 260 retail and commercial businesses spanning the central business district of Cronulla. The Plaza has an extensive range of fashion boutiques, homeware stores, gift stores, supermarkets and specialty food stores.

The Cronulla/Sutherland area is surrounded by magnificent waterways, from historic Botany Bay in the north, the world famous beaches in the east and tranquil Port Hacking to the south. It was even the location of an Australian surfing movie, ‘Puberty Blues’.

There is a strong focus on sport in the area, and there are clubs catering for netball, tennis, soccer, AFL, rugby league, rugby union, sailing, water polo, basketball, baseball and athletics. For keen golfers, there is the Cronulla Golf Club and a golfing range. For rugby league supporters, the Cronulla ‘Sharks’ is the local team. The area also boasts many parks, including Gunnamatta Park, Oak Park and Prince Edward Park.

Cronulla is approximately 20km from Sydney CBD and is well serviced by trains from Cronulla Railway Station, in addition to buses numbered 984, 985 and 987.

There are many landmarks both in Cronulla and surrounding areas. The suburb is well known for its magnificent sand dunes, The Point, Bass & Flinders Point and the ferry service to Bundeena.

Cronulla is particularly popular with well known sports figures, including cricketer Glenn McGrath, tennis-player Todd Woodbridge, Shane Heal from the Sydney Kings, and rugby league legends including Andrew Ettingshausen, Johnny Raper and Jack Gibson.

Cronulla boasts fantastic restaurants and cafes, many with views of the beach. The choice of cuisines is equally large and ranges from seafood, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Lebanese, Greek, French, modern Australian, Thai and Indian. Choices include Bella Costa, Blue Pacific Seafood, Zink Bar, Flavour of North India, Gianni Italian Restaurant, Gunnamatta Bay Café, Cafe 43, Nulla Nulla, Thairiffic, 2230, Summersalt, The Point, Fratelli Del Mare, Northies Bistro and Wine Bar, The Brass Monkey and The Naked Grape… to name but a few!

Cronulla Public School, High, Cronulla South Public School, De La Salle College, Cronulla Preschool, Kuddles Kindergarten, Woolooware Road Kindergarten.