🔦 Suburb Spotlight: Sutherland

The Shire’s central hub

Sutherland’s early days were shaped by its thick bushland and natural resources. In the 1860s, businessman Thomas Holt purchased over 13,000 acres across the district, sparking its first industries. Timber-cutting dominated, but Holt also experimented with coal mining, sheep grazing, and oyster farming.

Fun fact: Holt once tried to farm 30,000 sheep on his estate, but they struggled in the local conditions—so he switched focus to oysters instead!

Growth really took off once key roads and transport arrived. South Road was built in 1842, followed by the Illawarra Road in 1843. The Princes Highway, completed in the 1920s, provided even stronger links north and south.

But the biggest turning point came with the arrival of the railway in 1885. Overnight, the scattered huts and tents gave way to a proper township centred on Sutherland station. By 1886, there was a post office, school, and general store—signs of a community ready to grow.

Fun fact: the railway platform was originally just a simple wooden structure, built quickly to keep up with demand.

In 1906, Sutherland was officially proclaimed a shire. This shift from township to shire reflected both population growth and the need for local governance. With around 1,600 residents, the district had reached a point where proper civic administration was necessary.

Thanks to its central position and strong transport links, Sutherland became the natural choice as the shire’s administrative hub.

The years that followed saw a population boom. With the opening of the Sutherland-Cronulla steam tram in 1911 and rapid land sales, numbers soared from about 1,600 in 1906 to more than 7,500 by 1913.

In just a few short years, Sutherland had transformed into a recognised suburb—the beating heart and gateway to the wider Shire.

Fun fact: locals nicknamed the steam tram the “Puffing Billy,” and many families would ride it to Cronulla just for a seaside picnic.

☕️ Café Corner

Located at 4/41 Eton Street, 7th Heaven Café is a vibrant go-to for all-day brunch in Sutherland. Its menu spans creative breakfast classics, like taro pancakes, eggs benedict, Reuben sandwiches, and ain’t-your-average bacon-and-egg rolls, many with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

With their picture perfect dishes, friendly service and relaxed yet inviting atmosphere, this is a must-visit when in Sutherland.

Greenhouse on Flora is a light-filled, plant-filled café serving as a serene escape from the husble and bustle of the busy retail strip. This tranquil sanctuary features globally inspired brunch and lunch dishes, a signature 6-bean coffee blend and a modern relaxing vibe.

Got a favourite café in the Shire you’d like to promote? Hit reply to this email and tell us all about it.

🍝 Restaurant Radar

Cozy Dining serves up modern Australian cuisine in an intimate, elegantly relaxed setting.

Guests rave about the elevated degustation-style experience—think four- or eight-course menus and tapas-style sharing—with standout dishes like trout gravlax, Black Opal beef tacos, and charcoal-grilled dry-aged steak

They’ve been voted Best Fine Dining in the Sutherland Shire 2025, and made it on to the list of Top 50 Romantic Restaurants in Australia for 2025.

Add it to your list next time you’re looking for some “cozy dining”

Got a favourite restaurant in the Shire you’d like to promote? Hit reply to this email and tell us all about it.

🏢 Business Brief

Nestled in the heart of Sutherland, Head Spa Haus is your next favourite relaxation retreat.

Inspired by Japanese head spa traditions, this boutique studio is dedicated to revitalising your scalp, nourishing your hair, and restoring your well-being.

Each experience is tailored to your individual scalp and hair needs, blending soothing steam, scalp massages and signature “Water Halo Therapy” rituals for deep relaxation and renewal.

I actually tried this style of treatment earlier this week (not at this location) and it was one of the most relaxing and pampering experiences I’ve had in a long time. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Check out Head Spa Haus here.

Got a favourite business in the Shire you’d like to promote? Hit reply to this email and tell us all about it.

🏡 Property Peek

Wanna live the dream life in Sutherland?

A five-bedroom retreat in Sutherland, with a private deck, cubby house, and an outdoor spa that makes “just one more soak” your new nightly ritual. The kitchen hides a butler’s pantry (snack HQ), and there’s even a workshop-slash-home gym for when you want to feel productive without leaving the house. Light-filled living spaces spill out to the yard, and the fireplace takes care of winter — if you invite me over, I’ll bring cocktails and snacks for a very long spa session.

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