Sydney/Macarthur

The Macarthur region is part urban and part rural. As a consequence it provides an ideal base for exploring both city and country, providing modern accommodation and easy road and rail access to Sydney and to the countryside. Comprised of the three local government areas of Campbelltown, Camden and Wollondilly, it offers many local attractions, including parks alongside the Nepean River, Dharawal National Park, the Australian Botanic Gardens, Thirlmere Rail Heritage Centre, Wineries, Festivals and numerous recreational activities.

Tourist Information Centres

• Campbelltown

  address: 15 Old Menangle Road

• Camden

  address: John Oxley Cottage, Elderslie NSW 2570

• Wollondilly

  address: Old Picton Post Office

• Macarthur

  address: 15 Old Menangle Road and John Oxley Cottage, Elderslie NSW 2570.

The general rule of Sydney public transport applies - that the closer you remain to the city centre the greater the likelihood of public transport being an effective way of getting there. Buses and train lines thin out in both density and frequency the further out towards the south-west suburbs you head, however for the careful transport planner, you can manage to get to most destinations without a car.

By car

The principle road corridor through Macarthur is the Hume Motorway (M31). To reach the Macarthur Region from central Sydney, first follow the tolled M5 South Western Motorway. At Prestons the M5 merges into the toll-free M31, which heads south towards Campbelltown and beyond to Canberra and Melbourne. Take care at Prestons not to end up on the M7.
The M31 has junctions at Glenfield, Ingleburn*, Leumeah*, Campbelltown, Wilton, Bargo and Mittagong. (*semi-junctions)
If you are travelling out from the city (or from Sydney Airport) towards the south-west for a day trip you'll be moving against the peak, and can expect a quick run on the motorway. Travel times can easily triple during peak commute times. However, if you are staying along the Hume Highway for some cheap accommodation to access Sydney or the airport, the M5 could be your nemesis. You may be bumper-to-bumper with people who had the same thought as you on the M5 while your flight is departing.
There are also a choice of slower roads, that travel through the suburbs and countryside of the area.

By train

The electrified Sydney Trains network extends from central Sydney to Macarthur Station. Stations within the Region along this route are Campbelltown, Leumeah, Minto. Ingleburn, Macquarie Fields and Glenfield. Sydney Trains provide departure timetables and a suburban network map
Arrivals at Sydney Airport Domestic or International Terminals can catch the train to Macarthur directly on the T8 South Line.
Change at Glenfield for trains to and from the South West and Parramatta.
South of Macarthur Station, Macarthur is served by diesel trains on the Southern Highlands Line, with stations at Menangle Park, Menangle, Douglas Park, Picton, Tahmoor and Bargo. The line extends further south to Mittagong & Bowral in the Southern Highlands; and terminates at Goulburn.

By bus

Buses service the region and information can be obtained from the private operator's website.

• Australian Botanic Garden

  phone: +61 2 4634-7900
  address: Mount Annan Dr, Mount Annan
  Home to over 4000 species of plants, there's a more developed central area with a visitor's centre and cafe, and several large mountain biking and walking areas. Public access from Narellan Road.

• Camden Museum

  phone: +61 2 4655-3400
  address: 40 John St, Camden
  Run by the Camden Historical Society, the museum houses a collection of assorted historical artefacts.

• Campbelltown Arts Centre

  phone: +61 2 4645-4100
  address: 1 Art Gallery Rd, Campbelltown
  Art gallery and a performance studio. There's also a Japanese garden and teahouse, a gift from Koshigaya, a sister city to Campbelltown.

• Dharawal National Park

  phone: 1300 072 757 (local rate), +61 2 9995 6500 (when calling from overseas)
  address: Victoria Road, Wedderburn.
  Responsible Authority: NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service.

• Mawson Park

  address: Queen Street, Campbelltown.
  Mawson Park contains a war memorial, three significant armed forces memorials (artillery gun, ship's anchor and aircraft propeller), a memorial to the late Kevin Wheatley VC, a historic birdbath, an old milestone, a memorial to an Unknown Soldier, and a very beautiful statue of Elizabeth Macquarie (nee Campbell), after whom the City of Campbelltown was named.

• Trainworks

  phone: +61 2 4683 6800 or +61 2 4681 8001
  address: 10 Barbour Road, Thirlmere
  Heritage steam engine display and steam train rides.

Paintball

The areas around Campbelltown are best known for its paintball parks.

• Ultimate Paintball

  address: 885 Cawdor Road, Camden Park
  This 120-acre paintball park is Sydney's largest. It has themed battlefields in wide open spaces and bushland.

• Delta Force Paintball

  address: 275 Brian Rd, Appin
  Themed battlefields.

There is no shortage of shopping malls all the way to Macarthur Square adjacent to Macarthur Station in the more distance

• Essen Cafe & Restaurant

  phone: +61 2 80782216
  address: 54 Queen St, Campbelltown
  A double-storey establishment with an open airy balcony. Serves excellent schnitzels and pasta.

• The Hermitage

  phone: +61 2 46281144
  address: 5 Grange Road, Leumeah
  Motel and serviced apartments.

• Ibis Budget Campbelltown

  phone: +61 2 46287340
  address: 3 Rennie Road, Campbelltown

• Rydges Campbelltown

  phone: +61 2 46450500
  address: 15 Old Menangle Road, Campbelltown

• Bankstown and Cabramatta
• Picton
• Bowral
• Canberra