Lara Worthington returns to the Sutherland Shire for beach shoot

Top model Lara Worthington has made an appearance in the part of Sydney she used to call home, spotted catching some sun, sand and surf at Cronulla on Monday.

Once a Shire girl, always a Shire girl.

Lara Worthington – nee Bingle – has returned to Cronulla, from where she was plucked to become the face of one of Australia’s most famous tourism campaigns.

The 35-year-old US-based model and business woman appeared relaxed as she donned a royal blue swimsuit and dark black sunnies for a shoot at the Sydney beach.

It is 18 years since she shot to international fame fronting the ‘So where the bloody hell are you?’ Tourism Australia campaign.

From there, the now mother of three went on to work with some of the biggest names in fashion and even had her own reality TV show, Being Lara Bingle.

Lara Worthington was seen at a beach in Cronulla on Monday, striking a pose for the camera. Picture: Backgrid.

She is married to Hollywood star, Sam Worthington, of Avatar and Clash of the Titans fame.

In an October interview with Body and Soul, Worthington spoke of her changing body after becoming mother to their three young children, Rocket, Racer and River.

“I have to remind myself that it’s OK that your body is changing, especially after the first (pregnancy),” she said at the time.

Worthington was taking part in a photo shoot at the beach. Picture: Backgrid.

“It was really enjoyable for me, especially the first one, because I didn’t know what was ahead of me. I hate that term ‘getting your body back’, because I think it’s a nice journey to go on,” she insists.

“Women’s bodies do incredible things, and I don’t think it should ever be looked at in a negative way … We’re giving life! My girlfriends always talk about being easy on yourself, because even after I’ve had all these kids, it’s important to not be so hard on yourself, because being a mum is the hardest job in the world.”

Sam Worthington and Lara Worthington at the G'Day USA Arts Gala in January. Picture: Monica Schipper

She also spoke about growing older in the public eye.

“I want to embrace ageing,” she said.

“I just love exploring new ways to look after your body, and your skin, and mind. I think getting that balance is always going to be really important. I look up to lots of women, like Lauren Hutton, like Meryl Streep. Susan Sarandon is another one. I think it’s nice that the world we live in now has role models like that, who are beautiful and inspiring, you know?”