Hurstville

A thriving commercial and residential centre in Sydney's south-west, Hurstville is the administrative hub of an area which covers 23sq km and includes such suburbs as Beverly Hills, Kingsgrove, Lugarno, Mortdale, Narwee, Oatley, Peakhurst and Riverwood.

It is part of the St George region where James Cook first raised the English standard in 1788. Not surprisingly considering the Cook connection, the regional flag and coat of arms have been designed around England's patron saint and celebrated dragon-slayer, St George.

You are never far from the sea, a river or a bay in Sydney's south, and Hurstville is no exception. Its southern boundary is formed by George's River, which flows into nearby Botany Bay.

The densely treed, steep slopes of the river frontage offer a glimpse of the extensive forest which once covered much of the southern Sydney region. The largest pocket of native remnant bush is found in the 45ha Oatley Park whose stands of angophoras, scribbly gums, geebungs, bloodwoods, peppermints, she oaks, banksia and mangroves protect at least 114 species of birds and waterfowl.

Stone paths and gardens surround the park"s kiosk which overlooks the swimming baths on Jewfish Bay.