Five things to do near Western Sydney International Airport
Following Western Sydney Airport’s official launch on October 25, there have been reports of international travellers landing and being shocked to learn they are 60km from Sydney Harbour.
This surprise might have been less of a shock had they known that a host of lesser-known Sydney attractions were just a short drive from the airport.
Got friends or relatives arriving from overseas? Here are five exciting things to do in and around Western Sydney International Airport (WSI).
1. Powerhouse Parramatta
Just a quick trip down the motorway from WSI and inspired by the iconic Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo, Powerhouse Parramatta will bring history, science and culture to Sydney’s west when it opens on November 7.
Among its five opening exhibits are Task Eternal (tracing humanity’s quest to defy gravity, from Leonardi Da Vinci’s 15th century drawings to the latest aerospace innovations) and Overflow (a First Nations-led exhibition about caring for Australian waterways).
Perhaps most ambitious, however, is The Mall – a two-storey installation that explores the cultural and social impact of shopping centres and how visitor movements are carefully shaped by economics, architecture, design and technology.
Entry to Powerhouse Parramatta is free.
2. Western Sydney Parklands
What makes Western Sydney Parklands fascinating and somewhat unique is the way its bushland tracks, recreation areas and tourism facilities exist amid the furious urban development that has characterised western Sydney over the past decade or so.
The southern end of this enormous ‘green space’ corridor is at the junction of the M12 motorway, which feeds traffic into Western Sydney Airport – yes, it’s that close.
Highlights include the Treetops Adventure in Abbotsbury (a ropes course strung up amongst the remnants of the Cumberland Plain woodland), Calmsley Hill City Farm (where visitors can milk cows, see sheep shearing and watching working dogs do their thing), the picturesque Chang Lai Yuan Gardens (giving a sense of western Sydney’s multicultural identity) and ‘urban farms’ (small agricultural enterprises selling fruit, vegetables and flowers).
All these attractions and many more are within a short drive of one another – perfect for a full day out.
3. Sydney Zoo
While it would take half a day to get from WSI Airport to the famous Taronga Zoo in Mosman, Sydney Zoo is just a quick trip down the road and provides a similar experience.
In addition to all the animals expected from a world-class zoo – lions, elephants, meerkats, primates and an assortment of Australian native species – Sydney Zoo boasts a few things even seasoned zoo veterans likely haven’t seen before, including an aquarium that’s home to bull sharks.
There are three eateries on site at the zoo, meaning visitors can take their time and make a day of it. For an additional fee, Sydney Zoo offers a variety of animal encounters (including a feeding and patting session with everyone’s favourite rodents, capybaras).
There’s ample parking on site and a general admission adult ticket is just $55, or you can get a family bundle of two adults and two children for $110.
For a more intimate day focused on native Aussie animals, Featherdale Wildlife Park is in nearby Blacktown and NRMA members are entitled to a special discount.
4. Parramatta CBD
Long touted as Sydney’s ‘second CBD’, Parramatta spent decades matriculating from an ‘auto alley’ full of used car salesmen to a bona fide alternative to the harbour city.
These days ‘Parra’ has it all: its ‘alley’ is lined with restaurants, bars and entertainment precincts instead of old bangers and of course it’s now home to the abovementioned Parramatta Powerhouse.
The Church Street strip near Parramatta River is especially prolific, with an apparently endless selection of cafés, steakhouses, gelato bars and Italian restaurants. Those with a sweet tooth will want to make a stop at Bay Vista to choose from its decadent menu of crepes, pancakes and assorted treats.
Aside from its nightlife, Parramatta is rich in indigenous and colonial history and offers a surprisingly extensive variety of parklands and riverside walks.
5. Experience WSI Airport itself
These days airports are destinations unto themselves and Western Sydney International Airport boasts a burgeoning number of duty-free shops, retail stores and eateries for those flying in or out.
Lagardère AWPL offers a range of iconic brands at duty-free prices (fashion, make-up, travel gear and much more), EyeLove has designer eyewear (Ray-Ban, Maui Jim, Oakley), and Tech2Go has all those pre-trip electrical needs covered such as headphones, chargers and adaptors.
Adding some local flavour is Mountain Culture, a boutique brewery headquartered in the Blue Mountains. It has two venues at the airport servicing both domestic and international travellers and promises a “high-quality food and beverage experience that reflects the character of Western Sydney”.
