The Shire - Nature & Wildlife - Sutherland Shire, Sydney NSW, Australia

The Shire is surrounded by either water or bushland. Botany Bay and the Georges River form its northern boundary, to the east is the Pacific, to the west and south are the bushland of two national parks. The sense of light and open space, the Pacific, the brilliant beaches, the waterways of Port Hacking, Botany Bay, Georges and Woronora river dominate and influence the local lifestyle.

On the east coast dramatic cliffs lookout over the Pacific ocean as breaching humpback, blue and minke whales migrate north. Terns, kestrels and sea eagles soar above, scanning the scrubby sandstone plateaus that delight the eye with spring and summer wildflowers. Below the water weedy sea dragons waltz with great white sharks. Sheltered scrub and gnarled banksias surround gentle sandy bays while tranquil wetlands drift around mangrove swamps. Rising sand dunes, bare or tufted, lead down to sweeping golden beaches rolling with surf.

Fresh and salt water river systems connect the open east coast with the rugged ridgetops and deep valleys of the Shire’s west. Huge paperbarks, turpentines eucalypts give shelter and food to sleepy koalas and wandering wallabies. Sugar gliders launch themselves from tree to tree. Blue tongue lizards, tiny wrens and black cockatoos slake their thirst at pools hidden along the gorges. Ancient art traces the weathered landscape with images of past cultures and red trumpet shaped flowers of the Gymea Lily tell their story.

Bounded by four National Parks, the Shire is a natural wonderland.

The Royal National Park
Established in 1879, Royal National Park is the world's second oldest national park - after Yellowstone in the USA Only 32 km from Sydney the Royal packs incredible natural diversity into a relatively small area. It offers rivers, surf beaches, lagoons rainforest, and clifftop heathland, with spectacular views.

Georges River National Park
On the shores of the Georges River, in the Shire’s northwest, is part of the Georges River National Park. It consists mainly of open woodland and eucalypt forest and on the Shire side has been left in its natural state.

Heathcote National Park
To the west of the Princes Highway is the Heathcote National Park. Bushwalks are the main attraction of area along Heathcote creek and the Woronora River. Large pools in the creek and river provide opportunities for a swim on a hot day.

Botany Bay National Park
Offers the nature and history of the bay and Kurnell peninsula. Coastal sand dunes, low…bush, towering Hawkesbury sandstone cliffs native animals, birdlife and descendants of plant specimens collected by Banks and Solander.

Native Flora

Pink Galahs, Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, Black and White Magpies, Rainbow Lorikeet and Crmson Rosella, Black face Cuckoo shrike, Kookaburra, Red Wattlebird and Peregrine Falcons. Pied Currawong, Brown headed honeyeater