Sylvania Waters
Australia's premier waterfront development was establised in the early 1960s modelled on the U.S.A.'s Florida Keys. Streets and islands are named after Australian rivers in keeping with the aquatic theme. Sylvania Waters is 19km south of the CBD and is regarded as the "jewel in the crown" of the Sutherland Shire. Population in 2007 was 3157 and homes vary from off water residences to multi million dollar waterfront estates. Every waterfront is perfectly flat so boating access and mooring doesn't get any easier than this.
The unique lifestyle enjoyed by the Sylvania Waters community is one based mainly on aquatic activities and serious boating although the area is home to Southern Districts Rugby club, state-of-the-art athletics track, 9 hole golf course, baseball field and a bowling club. There are two public boat ramps and four marinas within the area. The waterways are privately owned and waterfront owners pay a once only joining fee which entitles them to " moor at their door" with no annual mooring fees or permissive occupancy payable.
There are three village shopping strips which cater for day to day requirements. More comprehensive shopping is mere minutes away at Miranda Westfield or Southgate Centre. An award-winning, highly acclaimed function centre is located centrally in the suburb and next door is a long established child care centre. A choice of primary and high schools can be found at neighbouring Taren Point, Miranda, Sylvania and Caringbah. Public transport is by local bus network and there are connections to Miranda railway, Rockdale, Southgate Centre and Caringbah.
Locals regard this area as Sydney's best kept secret as the rare private waterway situation which has created a virtual Boater's paradise, is unlikely to ever be repeated.
Taren Point
Driving south over the Captain Cook bridge and entering the Sutherland Shire will find you in the waterside suburb of Taren Point.
The waterfronts along the southern shores of the Georges River and Gwawley Bay are dotted with luxury residences with sandy beach frontages, which in most cases have replaced the original fisherman and oyster farmers cottages. The lifestyle is definitely based on aquatic recreational activities and there is a well patronised bowling club on the border of Sylvania Waters.
Just 18km south of the CBD and 10-15 minutes to the domestic and international airport, the area is popular with those employed in the aviation/travel industry.
Public transport is by bus link to Miranda or Rockdale where rail connections may be made with ease.
Taren Point has it's own primary school and pre school care, whilst a wide selection of higher education is available in nearby suburbs.
A short drive over the bridge to Sans Souci finds the St George Motor Boat Club with associated marina facilities and the the St George Sailing Club is another popular spot for relaxation. Restaurants and eateries specialising in international cuisine are plentiful in Sans Souci.
Avid gardeners happily potter around Flower Power's flagship store for inspiration and landscaping ideas to take home and incorporate into their own gardens. Day to day necessities are catered for at the village shopping centre in Sylvania Waters whilst comprehensive shopping and services are at nearby Westfield Miranda.
Compact in size in relation to surrounding areas, Taren Point offers a wonderful lifestyle, easy access to the airport and city and still retains a relaxed holiday-like ambience.
Kangaroo Point
The waterfront peninsula known as Kangaroo Point is on the southern shores of the Georges River and is 21 km from Sydney's CBD and 15 minutes to the domestic and international airports. Sharing the 2224 postcode with Sylvania, it also shares Sylvania's plentiful amenities and services.
Recognised as one of the most exclusive areas south of the harbour, Kangaroo Point's grand estates are predominantly waterfrontages on larger than average land holdings. Many have sophisticated boating facilities such as slipways, boatsheds with electric winch or jetties and mooring poles. Some enjoy an expanse of sandy beach whilst the majority have some of the most spectacular waterviews you could wish to behold.
Aquatic sports, understandably, are the most popular, however, Kareela's 18 hole golf course is conveniently nearby for a relaxing round of golf and a casual bistro meal. The plethora of international eateries and cafes along Princes Highway Sylvania, provides many dining options.
Most of the property is in the higher real estate bracket, with sales in the multi-million dollar vicinity being not unusual.
Sylvania
At the gateway to the Sutherland Shire, Sylvania is 21 kms south of the CBD and hugs the southern banks of the Georges River.
There is a thriving business and residential element to Sylvania with the 2007 population standing at 13,223 ( this figure incorporates adjoining Kangaroo Point ).
Developed in the 1950s, most of the original homes have made way for larger, more modern versions of the family home.
Waterfront homes and luxury apartments with waterviews, sell in the multi million dollar price range and many have excellent boating facilities.
Public transport is by bus link to Miranda and Hurstville where there are railway connections to the Eastern suburbs and Illawarra lines.
There is an excellent choice of pre-school and day care for the under 5s and two public primary schools and Sylvania High school for school age children.
Kareela golf course borders Sylvania and is the perfect venue for a relaxing weekend round. Netball is a popular sport in the area with well established courts in central Sylvania.
Along the Princes Highway are several motor dealerships and Southgate Centre provides an excellent choice of speciality and food shopping as well as other services such as a gymnasium, public library, hotel and medical centre. The Tom Ugly's strip, just after the bridge offers an eclectic choice of eateries and cafes.
Sylvania is a wonderful area for families with much to offer for home buyers, ranging from budget friendly units to moderately priced homes on good sized blocks, through to luxury waterfront property.
Blakehurst
Situated on the southern most part of the St George district in the municipality of Kogarah, Blakehurst is just 18 kms from the CBD and 13kms from the domestic and international airports. First named Georgetown, the name was later changed to Blakehurst which is English for small wooded hill. Essentially residential, with a population of approx. 15,000, the majority of homes are freestanding and luxurious, with many enjoying water panoramas over the Georges River, Kogarah Bay and Shipwrights Bay.
Skirted by Princes Highway with access to Sutherland Shire and the south coast via Tom Ugly's bridge on the southern most tip, Blakehurst residents are ideally located with access to beaches, shopping complexes and sporting facilities all nearby.
There is a choice of government and non-government primary and high schools within the suburb and tertiary TAFE institute at nearby Kogarah. Blakehurst has a local shopping strip and a multitude of medical, dental and aged care facilities. Larger comprehensive shopping complexes are easily accessible at Hurstville or Miranda.
Bus services connect to rail links at Hurstville or Carlton.
Many fine restaurants and casual eateries are enjoyed by locals and leisure activities are predominantly aquatic in nature. Sailing, canoeing and kayaking as well as motor boat cruising fill the leisure hours. Blakehurst marina is the base for charter cruises and caters for mooring of pleasure craft. Several parks are scattered throughout the area with Todd Park being used for football and cricket.
Sans Souci
From the French meaning " no worries", Sans Souci is a highly sought after suburb with a population of approx 11,600 and is situated 17km south of the CBD in the municipality of Rockdale.
There is a predominance of brick and tile homes on varying sized blocks with a smattering of medium density dwellings on the northern border. Many of the homes enjoy water views or water access to Kogarah Bay.
Handy to the domestic and international airports, Sans Souci is serviced by RTA buses which travel to the CBD. Nearest rail link is Carlton or Rockdale.
Water sports are well catered for with four aquatic clubs based in the suburb : 2 sailing clubs, motor boat club and the yacht club. Beverley Park Golf club is in close proximity for the golfing fans. An Olympic pool is situated in Water Street for the serious swimmers.
There are many speciality shops and a plethora of cosmopolitan eateries scattered throughout the area. Fine dining options include the award winning "Blackwater" located in Water Street. Captain Cook bridge at the southernmost tip of the peninsula, is the access route to the Sutherland shire and comprehensive shopping at complexes such as Miranda Westfield.
A good choice of local government and non government schools exists with a TAFE institute for tertiary education at Kogarah.
Kareela
The leafy, peninsula suburb of Kareela is located on Oyster Bay on the southern banks of the Georges River and is 24km south of the CBD in the Sutherland Shire.
Established in 1968, with streets named after winning yachts in past Sydney Hobart races, it is now fully developed with around 1,200 homes. Population in 2007 was 2417. The homes comply to an all brick/no front fence covenant and most are landscaped to enhance the hilly terrain.
Originally named Sylvan Headland the name Kareela was later adopted, an aboriginal word meaning "south wind".
The suburb is serviced by private bus transport with regular links to nearby Jannali railway station and another route travels to Miranda. Jannali to the CBD by train is approx 40 minutes. An excellent shopping centre caters for day to day needs with supermarket, newsagency, fruit market, deli, butcher, chemist etc and there is a medical practice, dentist, pathologist and optometrist service. Kareela primary school is highly regarded with a percentage of out of area children attending and a wide choice of public high schools is available at Gymea, Jannali, Kirrawee, Miranda and Caringbah. Some homes overlook the greens of Kareela Golf course, which is a public course and the popular Golf Club bistro is well patronised by locals.
Joseph Banks Native Plants garden flanks Bates Drive and is open daily for enjoyment of bush walking surrounded by our native flora and fauna. Other homes have water views and some have tidal waterfrontages. Solveig Crescent has the honour of being Sutherland Shire's first "green street". Kareela playing fields cater for a variety of sporting activities including soccer, cricket and football.
Being a peninsula suburb, Kareela has a village-like quality, low crime rate and good community spirit. There is a trend to long ownership of property and up-sizing or down-sizing is done within the suburb's confines.