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- 🎃 Festivals, fun & fashion — it’s a big week in the Shire!
🎃 Festivals, fun & fashion — it’s a big week in the Shire!
From Halloween happenings to Jannali Moonrise, Kurnell Festival and the Melbourne Cup — your full week of local events is here.
Janelle Bradley
October 30, 2025
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Hi there, Shire Insiders!
It’s a huge week of fun, food, and festivities across the Shire! Here’s what you won’t want to miss:
🎃 Halloween Happenings – spooky treats, family fun, and tricks or treats galore
🌕 Jannali Moonrise Festival – music, markets, and magical night-time vibes in your local hub
🎪 Kurnell Village Festival – live music, food stalls, and all the charm of Kurnell’s coastal community
🏇 Melbourne Cup – hats, bubbles, and racing excitement at Shire venues near you
Let’s get to it.
— Janelle Bradley
Featured Event
Jannali Moonrise Festival
Jannali Moonrise Festival is back! Get ready for a full day of fun, flavour and festivities as Box Road and the Town Centre Car Park come alive!
Want to know why it is called the Moonrise Festival and what else to do in Jannali while you’re there - visit our newsletter here!
🐄 Looking for a local farmer? Farmer to Fridge connects small family farms directly to consumers. Buying directly from our farmers gives you vastly superior quality (for often the same price), and gives the farmers a better deal than the major supermarkets offer them. Win win! Find your local farmers here.
Want to spread the good word about your business, a fun concept or event you’re working on, a hire, or just want to say hello to 1700 locals?
We’re creating fun, local content on Instagram. Click on the image below to check out our newest guide: Melbourne Cup in the Shire. Get your fascinators, your tix and have fun!
🔦 Suburb Spotlight: Kurnell
Where History Meets The Sea
Kurnell isn’t just another beachside suburb — it’s where Australia’s modern story began.
Known as “The Birthplace of Modern Australia,” Kurnell holds a special place in the nation’s story.
It was here, in 1770, that Captain James Cook first landed on Australian soil. Today, the landing site remains a focal point of the Kamay Botany Bay National Park, where history and natural beauty meet — with walking trails, picnic areas, and sweeping coastal views connecting visitors to the past.
Kurnell is the Shire’s coastal secret — a laid-back pocket with a surfy, small-town feel. It’s where locals head to escape the crowds, soak up the sun at Silver Beach, or enjoy a paddle, dive, or kite-surf session in Botany Bay.
Despite its historical roots, Kurnell has evolved into a tight-knit, outdoorsy community with a calm energy that feels worlds away from the city (even though it’s only 15 minutes from Cronulla).
Fun Fact: The Kurnell Sand Dunes have starred in major films — including Mad Max: Fury Road, Superman Returns, and even Planet of the Apes.
Kurnell’s café scene may be compact, but it’s full of charm.
Cook at Kurnell, perched right by the water, is a local favourite — think pastel beach umbrellas, coastal brunch plates, and seriously good coffee with a view.
The Endeavour Tap Rooms pop-up events and food trucks often bring a dash of excitement to weekends, while The Kurnell Rec Club offers a relaxed spot for an afternoon drink and a game of barefoot bowls.
☕️ Café Corner
Cook at Kurnell
If there’s one place that captures the essence of Kurnell’s coastal charm, it’s Cook at Kurnell. This seaside café sits right on Silver Beach and feels like stepping into a pastel-hued daydream — think striped umbrellas, ocean breezes, and sandy feet welcome.
The menu is a perfect match for the setting: light, fresh, and full of flavour. Locals rave about the breakfast tacos, smoked salmon bagels, and mango smoothies, while the famous bacon and egg rolls are a weekend essential. Families love the relaxed picnic-style setup (kids and dogs included), and there’s even a shaded play area nearby to keep little ones entertained while parents sip their lattes.
Whether you’re stopping by post-swim, catching up with friends, or chasing that perfect sunrise coffee, Cook at Kurnell delivers a slice of beachside bliss that’s uniquely Shire.
 Source: Cook at Kurnell |  Source: Cook at Kurnell |
📆 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
🎥 Cinema Under the Stars | Corea Oval | 31 Oct | More
From 5pm - 8pm, bring the family and enjoy an inflatable jumping castle, Halloween-themed kids games and Hotel Transylvania 3 from 6.30pm.
🎃 Hallowicked | Club on East, Sutherland | 31 Oct | More
A huge night of live Halloween-themed pro-wrestling action!
👻 Spooky Screenings | Event Cinemas Miranda | 31 Oct | More
Celebrate the spooky season with the whole family with Halloween screenings of creepy animated gems on the big screen.
🎃 Fright Night | Cook at Kurnell | 31 Oct | More
Kids Spooky Paint Class “Monsters & Masterpieces” as well as taco specials, happy hour and live music!
👻 Halloween Deck Party | Cronulla RSL | 31 Oct | More
A frightfully fun night on the Deck! Join us for a Silent Disco, spooky decorations and cocktail specials.
🎸 Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here | The Pavilion, Sutherland | 31 Oct | More
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of Pink Floyd’s album Wish You Were Here with Australian Pink Floyd tribute band Run Like Hell.
🌙 Jannali Moonrise Festival | Jannali | 01 Nov
Jannali Moonrise Festival is back! Get ready for a full day of fun, flavour and festivities as Box Road and the Town Centre Car Park come alive!
👗 Adult & Children Clothes Swap Party | Sutherland Basketball Stadium | 01 Nov | More
From 11am - 1pm, bring your quality pre-used clothes (limit of 6 items per person) and swap them for a wardrobe refresh. Quality screening inspections will be enforced (nothing gross and stinky!!)
🎪 Kurnell Village Fair | Marton Park, Kurnell | 02 Nov
Kurnell Village Fair is back! From 10am - 4pm, there will be food trucks, market stalls, rides and family fun including face painting and a petting zoo. Live music, beer, wine and gin tastings will round out the full day of fun.
🎙️ It’s De-Lovely | The Pavilion, Sutherland | 02 Nov | More
Celebrate the legendary music of Cole Porter performed by the Front Row Theatre Co.
🏇 Melbourne Cup | Multiple Venues | 04 Nov | More
It’s the race that stops the nation. If you’re looking for a venue to join the fun, check out our Instagram with 8 venues to choose from around the Shire.
🦈 Mike Scotland presents | Kirrawee Library+ | 05 Nov | More
Learn more about the underwater world of sharks in the Marine Biology of Sharks in the Wild presentation. Learn about their anatomy, physiology and behaviour, as well as how to behave around them while diving, from local scuba instructor and diver Mike Scotland.
😆 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]