Sutherland Shire

Located just south of Sydney, the Sutherland Shire is known as the "Birth Place of Modern Australia", because of the landing of Lt James Cook near the location of present-day Kurnell in 1770.

Ready for a trip “Down Under” that’s not just another guided tour? Join us!
“The Shire” and Lakewood cooperate in TWO exchange programs:
-Through our adult exchange program, groups of adults from Jefferson County stay in Sister Cities members' homes in Sutherland Shire for ten days, then, the following year, Lakewood Sister Cities members provide housing for visitors from “Oz.”
-Through our student exchange program, Jefferson County students live and attend school for 6 months in Australia, then host an Australian student for six months.

The Sutherland Shire is blessed with breathtaking natural beauty, as you can see in this shot, taken by one of our Lakewood High School exchange students. Beaches, waterways and nearby bushland are easily accessible, including Royal National Park. This is Australia's first national park and was dedicated on April 26, 1879. It is the second oldest national park in the world after Yellowstone in the USA.

Whale watching in “The Shire” is possible without ever setting foot in a boat! Each June and July, about 2000 humpback whales and southern right whales migrate north along the New South Wales coastline to their breeding grounds in warmer waters. Then, during September thru November, they return south.At the peak of the migration, it’s possible to see up to four whales pass every hour!

Sydney Harbour at night. Note how the series of curves of the Jorn Utzon-designed Sydney Opera House are continued in the arch of the Harbour Bridge.

Making the trek up Uluru (Ayres Rock). This picture, also snapped by one our Lakewood exchange students, shows the massive size of Australia's most famous geological formation. (Those little dots on the trail are people.) While not exactly a day's drive away, Uluru is a "must see” on any visitor's list.

Jefferson County and the Sutherland Shire have a unique relationship- through our student exchange program, Jeffco high school students live and attend school for 6 months in Australia, then host an Australian student for six months. Lifelong bonds are forged between newfound friends whose homes are 8000 miles apart.

The kids aren’t the only ones having fun! The Shire also has an adult exchange. Groups of adults from Jefferson County stay in Sister Cities members' homes Down Under for ten days.The following year, Lakewood Sister Cities members provide housing for visitors from “Oz.”