Regular passenger trains operate to speed signs on the line, with limits varying between 45 and 100 km/h (28 and 62 mph).

The suggested route commenced at the southern end of Sutherland station, proceeded north-east to the Princes Highway, east along the Kingsway, then south past the site of the present rail terminus to Shelly Park in the centre of Cronulla.

Approved by the Parliamentary Subcommittee on Public Works in 1908, the single track line, with four stations and a goods siding, was opened on 12 June 1911 at a cost of £37,505.

The new line was opened on 16 December 1939 by the Governor, Baron Wakehurst at a large ceremony at Cronulla Station.

Woolooware and Kirrawee stations were upgraded, Cronulla yard reconfigured and the branch line resignaled.

A 2002 joint study between Sutherland Shire Council and the then named State Rail was rejected, and was said to cost about $35 million.

In 2014, a proposal for the station costing $20 million was designed which included two side platforms, street access and a direct ramp to the hospital, and involve an additional minute travel time.