Andrew Manson

Illawong’s tranquillity and local views of the Woronora and Georges River are a huge attraction for residents and locals seeking a relaxed lifestyle whilst enjoying some of the loveliest homes in Southern Sydney.

If you enjoy a coffee break you don’t have far to travel to find one. Illawong has a village style shopping centre comprising of a Coles supermarket, patisserie, butcher, and chemist and well regarded Chinese, Italian and Thai restaurants offering good quality take away or a dine in experience

Illawong’s waterways form the backdrop for many of the recreational activities undertaken by locals. Several bays provide the perfect spot for canoeing, kayaking and sailing. Kids are well catered for as well. It’s difficult to imagine nicer locations for walking, running or cycling than the reserves and parklands along Illawong’s water ways.

This suburb also offers an excellent range of childcare services, including long day care centres and preschools. Illawong families are fortunate to have two local public schools serving their children. Both Illawong and Tharawal Primary Schools provide education from kindergarten to year six, and an assortment of further education options exist in nearby suburbs.

Menai is a sought after family oriented suburb, many of the homes were constructed in the late 1970 and early 1980s.Unique developments include The Rivermount and Forest Glenn Estates comprising of resident only community facilities including pool, tennis court and club house. As a result the homes tend to have been purpose built for families, offering four or more bedrooms, several bathrooms and substantial living and entertaining spaces. Homes are generally situated on well proportioned blocks and boast double car garages.

Menai has a bustling commercial centre off Menai Road that offers locals a variety of shopping choices. There is a Woolworth’s supermarket, Big W department store and a large range of boutiques and specialty stores.

Menai Metro located on Allison Crescent has an array of restaurants including Rock Salt being voted Family Restaurant of the year 2009. Situated close by is Menai Catholic Club, a great meeting place for family and friends, offering plenty of live entertainment.

Menai’s families have an excellent range of childcare and educational centres close to home. There are a number of long day care centres and preschools catering to children in the nought to five age range, including the Carter Road and Bradman Road Childcare Centres. Families with primary school aged children also have a range of educational options within Menai. The suburb is home to Menai Primary, a public school, along with the Holy Family Catholic School. A number of secondary schools are within easy reach, including Menai High School and Aquinas College.

Much of the residential development in Barden Ridge is very recent. While most homes are freestanding, some duplexes and townhouses have also been constructed. There is a real emphasis on quality. Many homes particularly those that have panoramic views have been architect designed. Much of Barden Ridge is yet to be developed with a land subdivision of 39 lots just recently sold. A great opportunity for you to build your dream home.

Surrounded by bush, residents of Barden Ridge nevertheless have plenty of options when it comes to dining locally. Neighbouring Menai and Bangor offer some great restaurants and takeaway food.

As for the sporty type Barden Ridge is home to The Ridge Sports Complex located on the western side of New Illawarra Road. It offers netball courts, a synthetic athletics track and a flood lit golf driving range adjoining a 9 hole golf course, on completion early next year the course will be an 18 hole championship course.

A number of long day childcare and preschool services operate locally, including The Ridge Preschool and Lucas Heights Kids Cottage. Two schools serve Barden Ridge’s children; Lucas Heights Community School and the Sutherland Shire Christian School. Both provide curricula for children from kindergarten to year 12.

Drawn to the thickly wooded hills that extended to the edge of the Georges River, Jane and John Alford were the first Europeans to own an extensive parcel of land in the suburb that now bears their name.

Residents of Alfords Point can access all the essentials at the small cluster of shops located on Brushwood Drive.

There are a number of early childcare and preschool providers in the area catering to the under-fives, with a preschool conveniently located near the Alfords Point shopping centre. Alfords Point Public School serves the educational needs of children in the suburb and it also functions as a hub for many community activities. Secondary education is provided by a range of public high schools in neighbouring suburbs.

Alfords Point offers substantial, well-constructed brick homes featuring large living areas and three or more bedrooms. Given the amenity the suburb provides, many residents have sought to upgrade and enlarge their properties. Local views – whether or not they take in the Georges River – are spectacular. Indeed, some of the loveliest home sites in southern Sydney are located in Alfords Point, particularly those on the banks of the river.

The gorgeous Georges River is the location for many of the recreational activities undertaken by locals. It provides opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and sailing. Residents interested in a gentle walk or cycle have plenty of well-maintained bush tracks to choose from. Locals also have access to a huge range of fire trails, which are also suitable for mountain biking. There are two ovals in Alfords Point that are used for soccer and football matches, as well as cricket. Residents of Sutherland Shire also enjoy ready access to a range of local competitions, including netball, basketball, tennis, AFL, rugby, rugby league, baseball, and athletics.

One of the major attractions of Bangor is being almost surrounded by distinctively Australian bushland and the entire eastern border is formed by the Woronora River allowing many homes expansive water views.

Bangor is conducive to the great suburban lifestyle for families, offering substantial well constructed freestanding homes on good sized blocks. Many homes in Bangor’s tree lined streets offer large living areas and boast three or four bedrooms.

Bangor is also sought after for the outstanding educational opportunities, there are a number of long day childcare facilities catering to the nought to fives, Bangor Public School provides a curriculum for children from kindergarten to year six and offers before and after school care for those working parents. Bangor is also home to Inaburra School a prestigious independent school, which provides education from kindergarten to year 12.

Bangor offers a comprehensive shopping village, coffee shop, restaurants, post office, butcher, super market and lots more for you to enjoy.

Local and easy access to the water ways provide perfect spots for canoeing, kayaking and sailing. Bangor’s abundant bushland means locals have spaces to walk, run, cycle and enjoy family picnics. There are also two well-maintained local ovals; one on Akuna Avenue and another on Billa Road.