Image source Australian Botanic Garden

AUSTRALIAN BOTANIC GARDEN
NARELLAN RD, MT ANNAN

This botanic garden of native plants is Australia's largest. The Visitor Centre has maps and information, including about self-guided walks. There is a cafe here, a chldren's playground and nearby is the Fruit Loop Garden with bush tucker plants. You can also go on a self-guided car or bike tour, but some of the gradients are steep. There is also a mountain bike trail. There are many themed gardens and forests such as the Eucalypt Arboreta, the Banksia Garden, the Wattle Garden and the Bottlebrush Garden. At Sundial Hill there are views in every direction and you become part of the sundial. www.australianbotanicgarden.com.au

Events throughout the year include Markets at Lakeside on the last Sunday of the month, the AnnanROMA Food and Wine Festival on a weekend at the end of each season, events during National Science Week in August and the gardens can host events such as Cinema Under the Stars in summer. www.australianbotanicgarden.com.au/whats-on

For babies to 5 years
Under 5's Bush Play or Seedlings Nature School is held throughout the year with the Early Years Nature Educators facilitating play-based activities and nature experiences for 2.5 – 5 years with an adult. www.australianbotanicgarden.com.au/whats-on

School Holidays
Nature based workshops are held for primary school children on selected days in the school holidays. www.australianbotanicgarden.com.au/whats-on

Image source Belgenny Farm

BELGENNY FARM
ELIZABETH MACARTHUR AV, CAMDEN SOUTH

Belgenny Farm was established by John and Elizabeth Macarthur in 1805 and is said to be the birthplace of Australia's agricluture. It is open to the public for special events such as Mother's Day in May and Father's Day in September. On these days activities can include live music; farm activities such as working dogs, sheep shearing demonstrations and blacksmith demonstrations; a petting zoo (cost); pony rides (cost) and food trucks. Or book in for the buffet lunch. www.belgennyfarm.com.au/events/public-events

Image source Campbelltown City Council

CAMPBELLTOWN BICYCLE EDUCATION CENTRE
CNR QUEEN AND BROUGHTON STREETS, CAMPBELLTOWN

The centre has free open days on Sundays during term and on selected weekdays during school holidays from 10am to 3pm (not on Public Holidays or the Christmas / New Year period). There is a mini road circuit just like the real thing with road signage and traffic lights. There is also a junior track for toddlers, a playground, picnic tables and a free BBQ. BYO bicycles, scooters and helmets www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/ServicesandFacilities/BicycleEducationCentre/OpenDays

School Holidays
Open days operate on selected days in school holidays and sometimes there are special activity days.

Image source Camden Civic Centre

CAMDEN CIVIC CENTRE
CNR OXLEY & MITCHELL STREETS, CAMDEN

Shows for families are performed here. www.camdenciviccentre.com.au

For babies to 5 years
Past performances have included Lah-Lah's Big Live Band for ages 2 to and Camden Toddler Proms, especially for children aged 2 to 5 or 6 presented by the Fisher's Ghost Youth Orchestra.

Image source Campbelltown Arts Centre

CAMPBELLTOWN ARTS CENTRE
1 ART GALLERY RD, CAMPBELLTOWN

There are exhibitions and associated events, including for families and children. c-a-c.com.au

Fisher's Kids is a free event that is part of the Fisher's Ghost Festival in November that can include interactive installations, hands-on workshops and live performances designed for children and their families.
Art Club is a weekly workshop for ages 5 to 12 during school term where the children meet artists, explore the gallery, collaborate with other creative kids, and experiment with a range of art forms. c-a-c.com.au/public-programs/childrens-programs

For babies to 5 years
Mini Makers is a workshop for 2 - 5 year olds accompanied by parents / carers. Visit exhibitions and sing, dance and play and then get arty in the studio with colour, textures and sounds inspired by your experiences. Kiddies Cushion Concerts introduce the instruments and sounds of a live orchestra to children aged 2 to 5. c-a-c.com.au/public-programs/childrens-programs

School Holidays
Art Holidays is a program of workshops for children aged 5 to 12 in school holidays. c-a-c.com.au/public-programs/art-holidays

Image source Campbelltown Rotary Observatory

CAMPBELLTOWN ROTARY OBSERVATORY
MILKY WAY DR, CAMPBELLTOWN

Open Nights are held during the year where the public can listen to a talk on astronomy and then view the stars through telescopes or arrive directly for the stargazing (weather permitting, check online). Families with children are welcome to attend. Please keep your children with you at all times and instruct them not to touch the telescopes. www.macastro.org.au/mas/index.php/events/special-events/public-nights-campbelltown

Image source The Campbelltown Steam & Machinery Museum

CAMPBELLTOWN STEAM AND MACHINERY MUSEUM
86 MENANGLE RD, GILEAD

The museum presents Oil, Steam and Kerosene Family Fun Days twice a year on the weekend after Mother's Day in May and in October. See historical machinery including Traction Engines, Steam Rollers, a 2 foot gauge steam railway (with rides), stationary and portable engines of all types and vintage cars. There is hot and cold food or you can BYO picnic or BBQ. www.csmm.com.au/field-days.html

Image source Casula Powerhouse

CASULA POWERHOUSE ARTS CENTRE
1 POWERHOUSE RD, CASULA

The centre has four main gallery spaces including a dedicated kids gallery. Local, national and international artists are showcased. At the website you can find exhibition catalogues, images, publications, artist talks and videos where available.www.casulapowerhouse.com

After School Art School for ages 6-9 is held weekly during school term: www.casulapowerhouse.com/visit/casula-powerhouse-workshops

Family shows can be presented in the theatre. There is also a music program: www.casulapowerhouse.com/visit/music

For babies to 5 years
Kindercraften is a creative playgroup for children aged 2 to 5 years held weekly during school term and occasionally in school holidays. Make a take-home artwork through investigative art play. Book online. www.casulapowerhouse.com/visit/casula-powerhouse-workshops

School Holidays
Workshops in school holidays can include creative arts and performance for ages 5 to teens. The Way Out West (WOW) Festival is held in the winter school holidays with something for kids aged from babies to 15 years in an extensive program that includes family shows, interactive installations and workshops including contemporary art, dance and more. www.wayoutwestfestival.com.au

Image source Fastlane Karting

FASTLANE KARTING
20 SWETTENHAM RD, MINTO

Young kids can enjoy the fun of go-karting at the Junior Track. the junior kart age is 8-12 years and 4-7 years can join an adult driver 18+ in a twin kart. The Drift and Main Tracks are avaiable for teens aged 13+. There are also parties for ages 8 -12 and 13+. www.fastlanekarting.com.au

Photo Credit: Mick G Photography

GLEDSWOOD HOMESTEAD
900 CAMDEN VELLEY WAY, GLEDSWOOD

Gledswood present a Family Farm Day four times during the year on a Sunday. Gates open at 10am and the farm day activities start at 11am. Visit the drovers' campsite for billy tea and damper by the campfire and hear stories told by the stockman. The kelpies will round up the sheep and then see a sheep being shorn. Learn about wool classing and try boomerang throwing. Then the stockman will demonstration how to crack a whip. www.gledswood.com.au/gledswood-farm-day.html

Image source Campbelltown City Council

KOSHIGAYA PARK
CNR HURLEY ST AND CAMDEN RD, CAMPBELLTOWN

Apart from being a fun park for families with playground equipment, including accessible play equipment, cycle paths, picnic tables and BBQs; this park is used for events throughout the year. These can include Australia Day celebrations, the Campbelltown Children's Festival, Winterland Campbelltown with an open-air ice rink, Fisher's Flicks, Picnic in the Park - International Day of People with Disability and New Year's Eve. www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/WhatsOn www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/ParksSportandRecreation/RLFPS/LookForParkSportsground/KoshigayaPark

Image source Macarthur Centre for Sustainable Living

MACARTHUR CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING
MOUNT ANNAN DR, MOUNT ANNAN

Learn about sustainable homes and gardens at this centre that is entirely self-sufficient: generating its own power, recycling and reusing all rain and waste water, and managing all organic waste on site. There is information available and you can purchase fresh honey from the Macarthur Bee Keepers plus home-made jams and sauces. Workshops include themes such as Plastic Free Lunches & Snacks for Children, Small Space Gardening and Worm Farming & Composting. www.mcsl.org.au/

For babies to 5 years
MCSL Little Explorers is a weekly playgroup for under 5s to learn all about sustainability and the environment. Feed the chickens, meet LULU the pig and BELLE the sheep, do some gardening and water the children's garden. www.mcsl.org.au/what-we-do/little-explorers-playgroup.htm

School Holidays
Workshops in school holidays can include themes such as Kids Gardening & Cooking and Micro Zookeeper. www.mcsl.org.au/whats-on/workshops-and-courses.htm

Image source NSW Rail Museum

NEW SOUTH WALES RAIL MUSEUM
10 BARBOUR RD, THIRLMERE

The museum has locos, carriages and vans, some you can go inside and explore. There is also a Roundhouse with a 105-foot turntable from the old Enfield steam depot. On weekends there are steam or vintage train rides, a 45 minute trip from Thirlmere station to Buxton station and return. You can get a ride and museum combo ticket. www.nswrailmuseum.com.au/weekends

The Thirlmere Festival of Steam is held on a weekend in March with train rides to the museum and return from Sydney, several locomotives in steam, mini train rides, cab visits, live music, make and do activities for kids, Village Fairs on both days and on Sunday a Street Parade and over 100 market stalls. www.thirlmerefestivalofsteam.com/

Day Out With Thomas is on four weekends a year. Meet Thomas - climb into the driver's cab and toot his whistle with the Fat Controller there, meet Henry the green engine and visit his driver's cab, ride Toby the Railmotor from Sodor Station up to the Roundhouse, plus face painting and unlimited jumping castle rides. At the Imagination Station enter the colouring competition, play some Thomas games and listen to the Storyteller read Thomas stories. There are also steam train rides. www.nswrailmuseum.com.au/day-out-with-thomas

Image source Oz Funland

OZ FUNLAND
11 HOLLYLEA RD, LUMEAH

Facilities include Putt Putt Golf, the playmaze, jumping castle, Toddlers Area, face painting, craft and Oz Balladrome - a glow-in-the-dark cannon ball shooting game. There are also birthday parties, shows from time to time such as the The Wizard of Oz Adventure Show and Oz-Some Creative Workshops. During school term, the Funland is open on weekends from 9.30am -5pm. In school holidays, Oz Funland is open on weekdays 10am - 4pm and weekends 9.30am - 5pm. www.ozfunland.com

For babies to 5 years
During school term the Funland is open on Fridays from 10am to 3pm.

School Holidays
Extra activities in school holidays can include shows, themed discos and Creative workshops.

Image source Western Sydney Parklands

WESTERN SYDNEY PARKLANDS
CECIL PARK TO WEST HOXTON

Wylde Mountain Bike Trail is a purpose built trail with the entry in Range Road, off Elizabeth Drive in Cecil Park. Mountain bikers from beginner to advanced are catered for with a Kid's Loop, 3 km loop, 6 km loop and 12 km loop. First time visitors should take extra precautions until they are familiar with the Trail. Those under 16 years of age must ride the Trail in the company of an adult. It is open daily from sunrise to sunset, weather permitting. www.westernsydneyparklands.com.au/places-to-go/wyldemtb/

Shale Hills in West Hoxton has 60km of tracks and trails for walking, running and cycling and dogs on-leash are welcome. The Shale Hills Dog Park is located at the intersection of Second and Mannow Avenues, West Hoxton. It has a training circuit, agility course, free run area (including separate runs for large and small/shy dogs), a terrace with dog rest areas and umbrellas for shade, a scented garden and fresh water fountains. www.westernsydneyparklands.com.au/places-to-go/shale-hills

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