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✨ Miranda in Focus + Shire Weekend Guide
Explore Miranda’s iconic fig tree, top cafés and restaurants, plus fun things to do this weekend.
Janelle Bradley
October 16, 2025
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Hello Shire Readers!
This week we’re shining the spotlight on Miranda, a suburb that’s been at the heart of the Shire for decades. From its iconic shopping centre to hidden cafés and top-notch restaurants, Miranda has plenty to explore. Here’s what’s inside this week’s newsletter:
🕰️ A Little Local History – Discover the story of Miranda Fair, now Westfield Miranda, and the famous Hill’s Weeping Fig that’s been standing tall since the 1970s.
☕️ Café Corner – Nestle into the greenery-filled Birdcage for perfect coffee, delicious pastries, and a sunny, relaxed vibe.
🍖 Restaurant Radar – Meat lovers rejoice! Osso Steak & Ribs serves up juicy steaks, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and a legendary Butcher Board.
🗓️ Weekend Happenings – From live music and festivals to family-friendly events, we’ve got the best things to do in and around the Shire this weekend.
Grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s explore Miranda together!
— Janelle Bradley
🔦 Suburb Spotlight: Miranda
Miranda Fair, Westfield Miranda & the Iconic Fig Tree
When Miranda Fair opened in 1964, it was the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere. Locals were captivated by its modern escalators, air conditioning, and rooftop car park — a futuristic hub for a growing suburb.
Fun fact: the opening ceremony even included a helicopter delivering newspapers and a fireworks display, marking it as a major event for the Shire.
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Also, good luck trying to decode the pricing. Miranda Fair opened in 1964, prior to “decimalisation”. Prices are all in pounds, shillings and pence.
Over the decades, the centre expanded and evolved, eventually becoming Westfield Miranda, a retail and community landmark.
Amid all this growth, one feature has remained constant: the Hill’s Weeping Fig at the Kingsway entrance. Planted around 1971, this sprawling tree has witnessed every stage of Miranda’s transformation. During major redevelopments in the 2010s, designers and arborists went to great lengths to preserve it, protecting its roots, canopy, and overall health while building around it.
Fun fact: it was actually a condition of council approval that the fig tree had to be preserved, ensuring it remained a central feature of the site.
The fig tree is protected as excavation for 2014 development takes place
Today, the fig tree stands as a symbol of continuity — a living reminder of Miranda’s past, quietly watching the suburb grow and change around it.
Bonus trivia: generations of locals have used it as a meeting point, making it one of Miranda’s most familiar “landmarks” beyond the shops themselves.
☕️ Café Corner
The Birdcage
If you love your coffee served with a side of charm, The Birdcage in Miranda is the place to perch. Hidden just off Kiora Road, this bright, leafy café feels like a little escape from the bustle of Westfield. The space is filled with greenery, sunshine and an easy-going local vibe.
Their coffee is consistently excellent — smooth, rich and made with care — and pairs perfectly with a menu full of favourites. Think fluffy ricotta pancakes, creamy smashed avo, and vibrant salads that taste as good as they look. For something heartier, the eggs Benedict and Birdcage Big Breakfast never miss.
It’s the perfect spot for a catch-up, a solo coffee, or a weekend brunch that hits all the right notes.
 Source: Birdcage Miranda |  Source: Birdcage Miranda |
Do you have a favourite café to recommend? Let us know about it so we can share it here.
🍝 Restaurant Radar
Osso Steak & Ribs
If you’re anything like me and love a good, hearty meat dish, Osso Steak & Ribs at Westfield Miranda is an absolute must. This spot takes pride in serving high-quality, locally sourced cuts with all the trimmings — think juicy steaks, saucy ribs, and sides that hit just right.
Their Butcher Board is a standout, offering a little bit of everything for those who can’t decide (or who simply want it all).
And here’s a bonus for families — kids eat free at lunch from Wednesday to Saturday, making it the perfect midweek treat.
With its lively atmosphere, generous servings, and menu that celebrates all things meat, Osso is the kind of place that keeps you coming back for “just one more steak.”
 Source: Osso Steak & Ribs |  Source: Osso Steak & Ribs |
Do you have a favourite restaurant to recommend? Let us know about it so we can share it here.
📆 Exciting Events On Our Radar
Mark your calendar, go have fun!
🍷 Wynns Wine Dinner | Cronulla RSL | 14 Nov | More
Meet the winemakers of Wynns Coonawarra Estate wines, and enjoy a five-course menu paired with carefully selected wines.
🍸️ Whisky and Cocktail Event | Bottle Keg Can, Jannali | 23 Nov | More
A guided tasting of 3 premium Australian whiskies, and a deep dive into a cocktail for each of the whiskies.
🍸️ Ben Buckler Whisky & Cocktail Dinner | Call Me Mamma, Cronulla | 25 Nov | More
An exclusive 5 course dinner paired with Ben Buckler Whisky and cocktails. Every person receives a bottle of Ben Buckler Whisky to take home!
Have an event you’d like listed in The Shire Insider? Submit your event HERE
🗓️ What’s On This Week
🎙️ The Flying Forties | The Pavilion, Sutherland | 17 Oct | More
Celebrate the golden era of music with tributes to Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and more.
⛵️ Friday Nights at CSC | Cronulla Sailing Club | 17 Oct | More
Friday Nights are back at Cronulla Sailing Club. Enjoy live performances and amazing views. Oct 17th live music featuring Just Mates.
🕺 Footloose | Engadine Community Centre | 17-26 Oct | More
Bringing the 80’s smash hit musical Footloose to the Engadine stage. Fight for what you love and dance like nobody’s watching.
🤠 Line Dancing in Gymea | Gymea Community Hall | 17 Oct
Kick the weekend off with music and dance. Beginners 5pm, Intermediate 6pm and Intermediate+ 7pm. $10 at the door.
🧼 Halloween Bath Bomb Workshop | Westfield, Miranda | 17 Oct | More
Join us at LUSH Miranda to create your very own spooky creepy themed bath bombs.
🛍️ Fair Trade Market | 2-10 Tea Gardens Ave, Kirrawee | 18 Oct
The Fair Trade Market features unique sustainable and ethically sourced products from around the world. Every purchase helps make a difference in the fight to end modern-day slavery.
🏇 Everest Race Day | Multiple Locations | 18 Oct
Watch the worlds richest horse race as we enter the peak of Spring racing season. Gymea Bowling Club and Crest Hotel Sylvania will have live coverage of every race.
🎨 Art of the Revolutionary Years | Hazelhurst, Gymea | 18 Oct | More
Join us for October artztalk. Explore art from the French Revolution and Napoleonic era, when decadence gave way to revolution, war, and biting satire.
🎸 Ultimate Eagles Legacy | Brass Monkey, Cronulla | 18 Oct | More
Featuring all the timeless hits, this show recreates the iconic sound and unforgettable stage presence that made The Eagles my mum’s favourite band.
🍝 The Spaghetti and Spritz Soiree | Salt Meats Cheese, Cronulla | 18 Oct | More
Learn how to make Aperol Spritz to sip on while you whip up delicious sauces to pair with your spaghetti.
🌳 Community Nursery Open Day | 345 The Boulevarde Gymea | 18 Oct | More
Join us for Community Nursery Open Day and explore our wide range of local plant species. Bring your free native seedlings voucher to collect 2 free native seedlings.
🧘 Strong Engadine Open Day | Strong Pilates Engadine | 18 Oct | More
10 free community pilates classes, in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation
🛍️ My Kids Market Sutherland | Sutherland Basketball Stadium | 19 Oct | More
Your local market to buy, sell and recycle pre-loved and new baby and kids goods..
🎷 Blues Brothers Rebooted | OG’s, Cronulla | 19 Oct | More
Featuring all the songs, moves and excitement from the classic 1980 film.
❓️ The Office themed Trivia | Taren Point Hotel | 21 Oct
Come test your knowledge on this iconic TV show/
🐦️ Bird Spotting | Lucas Heights Conservation Area | 23 Oct | More
Join Bushcare and bird expert for a morning wander as we go looking for feathered friends.
🍷 St Hallet Wine Dinner | The Prince Hotel, Kirrawee | 23 Oct | More
Meet the team of St Hallett wines, and enjoy a four-course menu paired with carefully selected wines.
😆 Meme Street
Thanks for reading the Shire Insider! Hope you have a great weekend! Please share this edition with your best friend!
P.S. Want to get your business or event in front of Shire locals? If you would like to advertise with us or if you want us to feature your events, email us at [email protected]