Sydney/Outer West

Settlement began when the area was designated for Aboriginal people to live in. "The Blacks Town" become Blacktown today. This part of Sydney attracts a high amount of recent immigration, with 50% of residents born outside of Australia from various countries including India, the Philippines, China and Brazil.
The area is developing fast owing to reasonable transport connections and relatively affordable Sydney housing. Penrith and Blacktown have become the centres for Outer Western Sydney business and nightlife.

By car

Road access from Sydney to the Outer West is easiest via the M4 motorway, and that continues up to the Blue Mountains to the west. Access from the north via the M2 is an alternative, although toll charges apply. Access from the south via the M7 motorway.

By train

The area has good train connects. All trains stop at the major centres before proceeding either to Penrith or Richmond. There are Express services to some stations from Sydney Central station.
Frequent trains pass through , , to and beyond to the Blue Mountains.

• Featherdale Wildlife Park

  phone: +61 2 9622 1644
  address: 217-229 Kildare Road, Doonside (near Blacktown)
  The park showcases Australia's wildlife and includes a koala sanctuary. You can also feed kangaroos, wallabies, emus, and other Australian wildlife.

• South Creek Park

  address: The Kingsway, Werrington NSW 2747
  See some examples of Bennett's Wagons, built by a famous St Mary's wheelwright.

• Knapsack ViaductA railway viaduct at Lapstone Hill built in 1867 by John Whitton (the 'Father' of the NSW railways). It is signposted from the Emu Plains exit of the motorway.

• Sydney International Regatta CentreThe regatta centre used for the 2000 Sydney Olympics

• Penrith Museum of Printing

  phone: +61 415 625 573
  address: Mulgoa Rd & Ransley St, Penrith

• Museum of Fire

  phone: +61 2 4731 3000
  address: 1 Museum Dr, Penrith

• Penrith Whitewater Stadium

  phone: +61 2 4730 4333
  address: McCarthy's Lane, Cranebrook
  Penrith Whitewater Stadium was the competition venue for the canoe/kayak slalom events during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Located only an hour from Sydney, it is the only man-made whitewater course of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Book whitewater rafting or whitewater kayaking. September to July.

• iFLY Downunder - Sydney

  phone: +61 1300 366 364
  address: 123 Mulgoa Road Penrith
  Indoor skydiving.

• The stations at Blacktown, Mount Druitt, Penrith all have large shopping malls right next to them.

• Thulli Dreaming

  phone: +61 2 9675 5678
  address: 3/11 Eddie Road, Minchinbury
  Thulli Dreaming is an indigenous-owned business providing catering and dance and music performances. They sell indigenous art in their shop.

• PanthersA hub for entertainment in the west, including dining, music, accommodation, sports bars, video games arcade, and slot machines (pokies). Panthers is also home to the Panthers Rugby League team. It has a variety of outdoor entertainments and fast food outlets.

• Mercure Penrith

  phone: +61 2 4721 7700
  address: Mulgoa Rd & Jamison Roads, Penrith

All 4G mobile phone networks in Sydney are available here.

The area has the reputation of being one of the more dangerous in Sydney. Take particular care at nighttime when walking or taking the train.

• Blue Mountains by car or train. If you're coming from Sydney, you've already come a third of the way.
• Historical Richmond and Windsor in the City of Hawkesbury are to the north
• To the south is Southwestern Sydney