Image source the Hills Shire Council

BELLA VISTA FARM
ELZABETH MACARTHUR DR, BELLA VISTA

The park around Bella Vista Farm has BBQs, picnic tables and walking tracks. You can visit the farm buildings on the first Sunday of each month (except January) and entry is free. Volunteers from the Friends of Bella Vista Farm will be on hand to tell you more about the farm. Other events are held throughout the year such as concerts, outdoor cinema, outdoor theatre plus on Australia Day, during Park Feast, a Food Truck Festival and during the Orange Blossom Festival in September. www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/Venues/Parks-Recreation/Bella-Vista-Farm-Park

Image source Blacktown City Council

BLACKTOWN LEISURE CENTRE, STANHOPE
SENTRY DR, STANHOPE GARDENS

Facilities at the centre are pools, gym, creche, 4 court multi- sport stadium, tennis courts, squash courts, spa and sauna and activities are gym sessions, group fitness, lap swimming, Aqua Learn to Swim and the Kidz Blitz school holiday program. Very popular with famlies is the wave pool with the waves operating every 30 mins on weekday evenings, weekends, public holidays and in school holidays on weekdays and weekends (every 60 mins on weekdays). www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Services/Aquatic-and-leisure-centres/Our-pools-and-leisure-centres/Blacktown-Leisure-Centre-Stanhope

Image source Blue Mountains Botanic Garden

BLUE MOUNTAINS BOTANIC GARDEN
BELLS LINE OF ROAD VIA BILPIN, MT TOMAH

This garden focuses on cool climate plants. It has a Formal Garden, Rock Garden and Bog Garden and a Plant Explorers Walk. The natural areas feature woodland plants from different continents and alpine rainforest. Included in this section is the Gondwana Walk featuring Wollemi Pines and other plants with pre-historic ancestry. There is also a viewing platform to see the Wilderness Conservation Area. Animals and birds can be found in the garden. Children aged 6 to 13 can go on a self-guided Treasure Quest with activities at five stations ($78.50 from the Visitor Center). There are special activities at times though the year such as an Easter Adventure – Self-guided Quest or during National Science Week in August. www.bluemountainsbotanicgarden.com.au

Image source Cumberland State Forest

CUMBERLAND STATE FOREST
95 CASTLE HILL RD, WEST PENNANT HILLS

The forest has regrowth forest, an arboretum, a Forest Visitor Centre, a nursery, a cafe and four picnic areas, three with BBQs. There are four buswalking trails. The Sensory Trail is an easy 350 m loop with wheelchair access. Braille books to accompany this trail are available on site by prior arrangement and you can download audio online. A section of the Great North Walk goes through the southern section of the forest and the other two trails are rated moderate and 1 km and 1.3 km long.www.forestrycorporation.com.au/visiting/forests/cumberland-state-forest

In the forest is the TreeTops Sydney - The Hills Adventure Park with high ropes courses, including courses for 3-9 year olds where the average height of challenges is 10 metres and supervising adults remain on the perimeter path. www.treetops.com.au/locations/sydney-the-hills.

School Holidays
On selected weekends there are activities suitable for families such as Early Bird Brekky and Animal Spotlight. School Holiday Activities for ages 3 to 10 can include Forest Fairies and Elves, Timberific Toys, Amazing Animals and Timber Magnets. Adults must accompany children under 6 years, but are encouraged to stay and play with all ages. Book activities online. www.forestrycorporation.com.au/visiting/activities/escape

Image source Featherdale

FEATHERDALE SYDNEY WILDLIFE PARK
217-229 KILDARE RD, DOONSIDE

Featherdale has a wide variety of Aussie animals and birds and you can feed Kangaroos, Wallabies and Pademelons throughout the day. Animal presentations, included in admission, are pelican, penguin, echidna, bilbies and ghost bats, dingo and croc feeding. Animal encounters (additional cost) are also available with lorikeets, quokkas, pelicans, penguins and tree kangaroos. There is a cafe and two picnic areas. www.featherdale.com.au

Image source Penrith Conservatorium

JOAN SUTHERLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE / 'THE JOAN'
597 HIGH ST, PENRITH

Family performances visit The Joan and there are also concerts for families presented by Penrith Symphony Orchestra and Penrith Youth Orchestra. www.thejoan.com.au/

Penrith Con, located at The Joan, runs programs for children including private and group music lessons. www.penrithconservatorium.com.au

There are four ensembles. Penrith Strings: Junior String Ensemble is for children with a minimum of 1 year of prior learning up to AMEB Grade 6 (or equivalent). Pop Vox - Vocal Ensemble is a contemporary youth vocal ensemble for 13-19 year olds. High Street Broadway is musical theatre training for 10 to 18 years. Penrith Youth Orchestra is for talented school-age musicians (minimum standards apply, see online). www.penrithconservatorium.com.au/ensembles

For babies to 5 years
Penrith Con offers two programs for under 5s during term time. ' La La Lambs' is for ages two and three and uses instrument play, singing and dancing to develop language, rhythm and motor skills. It is on Saturdays and Wednesdays at 9.30am (40 minute classes, about 8 weeks):  www.penrithconservatorium.com.au/events/la-la-lambs 'Funky Monkeys' for preschoolers uses play and active listening to learn about more complex music concepts and forms. Language, letters, phonics and numbers are also applied in the context of music. It is on Saturdays and Wednesdays at 10.30am (40 minute classes, about 8 weeks): www.penrithconservatorium.com.au/events/funky-monkeys

Image source Sydney Society of Model Engineers Slot Cars

MODEL PARK (SYDNEY SOCIETY OF MODEL ENGINEERS)
869 LUDDENHAM RD, LUDDENHAM

The Park is open to the public on the last Sunday of the month (except December) from 9am - 5pm and is home to all types of model vehicles including quarter scale speedway cars, RC model boats, RC and Control Line aircaft and model trains. On Open Days you can drive the slot cars, drive the U-Drive Garden Railway and ride on the miniature steam railway. There are BBQ facilites and a canteen. www.ssme.org.au

Image source Museum of Fire

MUSEUM OF FIRE
1 MUSEUM DR, PENRITH

There is lots here for families including a Junior Firefighters Zone with fire safety activities, computer games, puzzles and dress ups; a Fire Spotting Trail for children aged 3-7; a Scavenger Hunt Activity for children aged 8-14; a Junior Firefighters Audio Tour Challenge (downloaded to your smart phone) and Fire Engine Rides (extra cost, subject to the availability of volunteer drivers). You can buy snacks at the museum shop and there is a fire-truck themed playground and sheltered picnic tables in the large grassy area surrounding the museum: www.museumoffire.net/families

Events held at the museum through the year include the Penrith Working Truck Show in March, the Sydney Classic & Antique Truck Show in May and the Annual Doll, Bear and Craft Fair in October.

Image source Penrith Observatory

PENRITH OBSERVATORY
BUILDING AO, WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY, WERRINGTON NORTH CAMPUS, GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY, WERRINGTON

There are Public Astronomy Nights held twice a month on a Saturday evening. A different theme is explored each night with a multimedia presentation, followed by a short 3D astronomy movie and an opportunity to view the night sky through the observatory's telescopes (weather permitting). The program runs regardless of the weather. Bookings online essential. www.westernsydney.edu.au/observatorypenrith/penrith_observatory/whats_on

School Holidays
Hands On Workshops are held in most school holidays for ages 4 to 12 (with parents remaining). Rockets is a popular theme where participants build and launch paper rockets using compressed air and watch a demonstration of a model rocket launch. Bookings online essential.

Image source Penrith Regional Gallery

PENRITH REGIONAL GALLERY
86 RIVER RD, EMU PLAINS

Penrith Regional Gallery is the home of the Lewers Bequest, with the Gallery site gifted to the people of Penrith by the family of artists Margo and Gerald Lewers. There are sculptures by Gerald in the heritage garden and works by Margo on display. There are changing exhibitions in a number of exhibition spaces. Art classes for children run on weekday afternoons and Saturday mornings. There is a cafe www.penrithregionalgallery.com.au

For babies to 5 years
Tots Club for ages 3 to 6 is on during term. Learn about art through stories, exhibition tours and hands - on art making. Adults do not pay but must stay. Bookings essential. www.penrithregionalgallery.org/whats-on

School Holidays
Workshops for ages 5 to 12 plus for families with kids 3+ and children with a disability can be held in school holidays. Bookings essential. www.penrithregionalgallery.com.au/learning/school-holiday-workshops

Image source Penrith Whitewater Stadium

PENRITH WHITEWATER STADIUM
MCCARTHY'S LANE, CRANEBROOK

Penrith Whitewater Stadium was the competition venue for the canoe/kayak slalom events during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The public can try Whitewater Rafting, Whitewater Kayaking and Swiftwater rescue training from June to September. www.penrithwhitewater.com.au/

Guided Rafting is a 90 min session with up to 8 crew on a raft with an experienced river guide. You start on flat water before tackling the white water. The minimum age is 12 years and you need to be physically fit, a strong swimmer and be very confident in the water. It is fabulous fun and very exciting.

Self-Guided Rafting, for those with previous rafting, whitewater or surf experience starts on flat water where you learn the basics and then off you go. Each raft can take up to 4, the minimum age is 16 years and you must be a strong and confident swimmer. This is more challenging and thrilling. www.penrithwhitewater.com.au/whitewater-rafting

Whitewater kayaking and canoeing group and private lessons are available for beginners through to advanced. For a recreation paddle you must be competent on Grade 3 water, able to safely self rescue, provide your own equipment and the minimum age is 12. www.penrithwhitewater.com.au/whitewater-kayaking

Image source Museums Discovey Centre

MUSEUMS DISCOVERY CENTRE
172 SHOWGROUND RD (OR WINDSOR RD), CASTLE HILL

The collection comes from Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, the Australian Museum and Sydney Living Museums. Included in this broad-based collection are scientific instruments; fossils and gemstones; butterflies and animals; vehicles including a Cobb & Co coach, a fire engine, a steam locomotive and cars; technology innovations such as telephones, clocks, radios and TVs and toys and appliances. You can also book Behind the Scenes tours and workshops run from time to time. The MDC is open for free on weekends from 10am to 4pm. maas.museum/museums-discovery-centre/

Image source Jazz at the Pines

ROUGHLEY HOUSE
656A OLD NORTHERN RD, DURAL

Jazz at the Pines is held once a month on a Sunday (not in winter) within the grounds of the historic Roughley House from 12.30pm to 4pm (payment on entry). Bring your picnic and your own chairs or a picnic rug or book a table in advance. You can also take a tour of Roughley House. Jazz at The Pines is a project of The Rotary Club of The Hills-Kellyville with the support of The Hills Shire Council.
Phone: 02 9651 4411 Email: info@jazzatthepines.org.au or visit jazzatthepines.org.au

Image source Rouse Hill Estate

ROUSE HILL ESTATE
356 ANNANGROVE RD, ROUSE HILL

The house was built in 1813 and is full of objects from 6 generations. Also onsite are the stables, outbuildings and the 1888 Rouse Hill schoolhouse. Family friendly exhibitions are presented at times such as Rouse Hill House & Farm in LEGO® Bricks. There are events held during the year such as during NAIDOC Week and at harvest time. sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/rouse-hill-estate

School Holidays
There are a number of Family Tours offered in school holidays, that are included with museum entry, such as 'Family farmyard tour - Meet the animals!', 'Rouse Hill House tour for all ages', 'Children's Ring the bell! School house tour' and 'Rouse Hill highlights tour'. Other activities include 'Earn Your Tucker' and 'Bush Tucker'.

Image source Sydney Colisseum Theatre

SYDNEY COLLISEUM THEATRE
WEST HQ, 33 RAILWAY ST, ROOTY HILL

Family entertainment is presented and families can grab a bite from variety of eateries at Eat St. sydneycoliseum.com.au

Image source Sydney Zoo

SYDNEY ZOO
700 GREAT WESTERN HWY, BUNGARIBEE

See exotic and native species. Australian animals include wombats, koalas, dingos, emus and echidnas. At the Aquarium there are big fish like baramundi and Murray Cod and penguins. African animals include meerkats, giraffe, zebra, ostrich and lions. Asian animals include tigers, otters and water buffalo. Primates include chimps, orangutans and spider monkeys. There is also a Kids Zone playground and encounters include Mini Zookeeper for a Day for 7 to 13 years and Meerkat Encounter. sydneyzoo.com/

Image source Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum

VALLEY HEIGHTS LOCOMOTIVE DEPOT HERITAGE MUSEUM
17B TUSCULUM RD, VALLEY HEIGHTS

At the Museum there is a roundhouse and turntable built in 1914, just like the one in Thomas the Tank Engine. The museum is usually open on the second (not May) and fourth Sunday (not Dec) of the month with steam tram rides (subject to weather conditions and crew availability), locos to scramble onto and a model railway to see. Special events are also held such as a Teddy Bears' Day Out in May, the Spooky Express around Halloween and a visit from Santa and his Elves in December. www.infobluemountains.net.au/locodepot

Image source Wascoe Siding

WASCOE SIDING MINIATURE RAILWAY
15 GRAHAME ST, BLAXLAND

This miniature railway operates on the first Sunday of the month (except January). Its features include a bridge, tunnel and miniature signals. There is a kiosk and picnic tables or BYO. Entry is free and train rides cost $4 per person. You must wear enclosed shoes to ride behind the trains. www.infobluemountains.net.au/rail/wascoe

Image source Western Sydney Parklands

WESTERN SYDNEY PARKLANDS, BUNGARIBEE PARK
CORNER DOONSIDE RD AND HOLBECHE RD, BUNGARIBEE

This park has a fantastic playground (near the Greenbelt car park) with a climbing tower, slides, a long double flying fox, separate big swings for big kids, balance beams, water play and spinning elements. There are wide paths for wheeled toys, barbeques and sheltered picnic tables.

Not far away and near the Runway car park is Warrigal Run, an enormous off-leash area for dogs. It has trees, a shelter, benches, a bubbler for people and one for dogs and is well fenced with double gates.

There is also wide-open scenic space and two sealed tracks – the Heart Crossing Loop and the Bungaribee Trail – which are great for walking and cycling. www.westernsydneyparklands.com.au/places-to-go/bungarribee

Image source Westlink M7

WESTLINK M7 SHARED PATH
FROM PRESTONS TO BAULKHAM HILLS

This free shared cycleway and walking path runs adjacent to the M7 motorway but is entirely separate. It is 40 km long with no intersections and more that 60 entry points. It is mostly 4m wide and has its own lighting, road signs and centreline. It connects with Western Sydney Parklands. It does have gradients that challenge little legs. www.westlinkm7.com.au/about/shared-path