Just 26km west of Sydney’s city centre, Parramatta is Australia’s second-oldest city, with its layered history proudly on show in UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict sites and grand colonial buildings. Along with its surrounding suburbs – among them Cabramatta, Blacktown, Olympic Park and Penrith, on the edge of the Blue Mountains – this is Western Sydney: a vibrant multicultural hub where you can feast, shop and explore all year round. It’s also the launchpad for all kinds of adventure, from whitewater rafting and indoor skydiving to horse-riding, surfing and treetop ropes courses. So, whether you have a day or a long weekend to experience the region, you’ll find no shortage of memorable activities in Sydney’s welcoming backyard. Get started with this handy roundup of where to go, stay and play.

Where to find adventure 

All year round, Western Sydney is a diverse outdoor playground, offering a rush for every kind of adventurer. While the high-speed slides and giant wave pool of Raging Waters are a summer highlight, you can learn to surf in any season at Olympic Park’s URBNSURF Sydney, which pumps out more than 200 perfectly formed barrels every hour. The aquatic action continues in Penrith, where you can tackle the rapids at Penrith Whitewater Stadium or blast skywards with Jetpack Adventures. Over at Cables Wake Park, fire up your adrenaline with cable-skiing, wakeboarding or knee-boarding.

Back on dry land, soar through the forest on the world’s fastest Zipcoaster at TreeTops Adventure Western Sydney, get airborne at iFly Downunder’s indoor skydiving centre, saddle up for a horse-riding experience with SS Equine Australia, or let your pulse race on the fast-flowing trails of the Wylde MTB and BMX Park. Feeling the need for even more speed? Head to Luddenham Raceway – Sydney’s only motorsport complex – and put pedal to the metal on car, motorcycle and go-kart circuits.

And when you’re ready to catch your breath, stroll through the World Heritage-listed Parramatta Park, right near the centre of town. Or, roam the vast Western Sydney Parklands – Australia’s largest urban park – where laidback trails through bushland corridors teem with native birdsong.

Where to discover culture 

Sydney’s slightly younger sister city, Parramatta is home to a treasure trove of heritage buildings, many dating back more than 200 years. Culture buffs won’t want to miss Old Government House – the oldest public building in Australia, where candlelit ghost-hunting tours are a highlight. Another historic must-see is the 1821 Parramatta Female Factory – Australia’s only surviving purpose-built factory for women convicts.

While the region’s heritage sites are unmissable, you can also fast-forward for a glimpse of tomorrow at the Western Sydney International Airport Experience Centre in Luddenham – an interactive hub that tells the unfolding story of Sydney’s newest airport.

Prefer your cultural experiences served with a little more drama? Catch a musical, theatre or comedy show at the multi-venue Riverside Theatres, or head to West HQ’s Coliseum Theatre, the Penrith Panthers Leagues Club or Mounties for a rolling roster of live music, comedy and theatre. And for a movie night with old-school flair, step back in time at the Skyline Drive In Blacktown, where you can pull up your car, grab a burger from the retro diner and settle in for a blockbuster or cult classic. 

Where to eat 

Western Sydney serves a feast of dining experiences, as you’ll see on Parramatta’s Eat Street – a lively strip of restaurants, cafes and bars along Church Street. Here you can taste the globe, from Cuban tapas at Coco Cubano to Japanese at Sushi Mata, Greek favourites at The SouvLucky Country and sophisticated steaks-and-tipple pairings at The Meat & Wine Co. Nearby, Alex & Co is a round-the-clock flavour station: it’s open early for coffee and breakfast, then continues serving food through the day and drinks well into the night at its bar and nightclub. 

And right next door, the suburb of Harris Park is known as Sydney’s Little India for good reason. This is the heart of the city’s Indian community, with dozens of stellar eateries serving flavours from across the subcontinent. Head to Station, Marion and Wigram streets for some of the best – and most reasonably priced – regional Indian restaurants in Sydney. Try the popular Chatkazz Harris Park for an extensive vegetarian menu, or explore Wigram Street favourites including Asees, Chulho and Papa Curry.

Nearby, Cabramatta offers some of Sydney’s most authentic Vietnamese dining experiences. Stop for a steaming bowl of pho on John Street, then peruse Asian grocers piled high with specialty products from across Asia. And if you’d like to get a taste of the local culinary scene – literally – join a Gourmet Food Safaris tour.

Where to drink 

One of the region’s most stylish watering holes is perched on the 26th floor of Parramatta’s V by Crown development. Nick & Nora’s is a slick cocktail and Champagne bar, channelling the decadent post-Prohibition days in both its menu and lounge style. Come for the sophisticated drinks, and linger for the shimmering views over the city.

Laidback watering holes more your style? Charge your glass at the historic Woolpack Hotel, which has served locals since 1796 but today blends timeless charm with modern flair, offering everything from flame-grilled pub grub to creative cocktails. Or try the Commercial Hotel, where a new beer garden, live music and weekday happy hours make it a popular choice in the heart of town.

You can also wet your whistle by going straight to the source in Penrith, where the Rusty Penny Brewing Co, Drink West and Squinters Brewing Company all pour the perfect blend of local flavour and buzzing atmosphere to elevate your crew’s catchups. 

Where to shop 

Westfield Parramatta is not for the indecisive – this mega-mall is among the largest of its kind in Australia, packed with more than 500 stores. Come here for everything from high-end fashion and jewellery to electronics, sports gear, toys, books and fresh food. 

More fresh food awaits every Friday at the Parramatta Farmers Market, held in Centenary Square – the site of the city’s original food market, which dates back to 1791. Producers from across the state converge here to sell fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers and honey, alongside just-baked breads and handmade pastas.

Searching for unique wares? Start your treasure hunt midweek at the Penrith Markets, held every Wednesday morning – rain, hail or shine. This sprawling outdoor market offers everything from fresh produce and plants to tools, toys, clothing and bric-a-brac.

Come the weekend, Parklea Markets – the biggest indoor market in the Southern Hemisphere – is packed with international street food, style buys, homewares, electronics and fresh produce, all under one roof. With live entertainment, cafés and thousands of vendors, it’s easy to make a full day of it.

And on Saturdays, more than 600 undercover stalls at the Fairfield Markets have been drawing crowds since the 1970s with a wide range of goods – from jewellery and sporting gear to car accessories, tools and groceries – as well as carnival rides, pony experiences and food stalls slinging everything from kebabs to ice-cream.

Where to meet friendly animals

This region is full of wild surprises – and if you’re up for some memorable animal antics, two standout experiences await. At Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, you’ll come face-to-fur with more Australian animals than anywhere else in the world, with the legendary site caring for more than 2,000 native species including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, echidnas and more. Connect with the critters on a deeper level through behind-the-scenes encounters or an Exclusive Keeper Tour.

Just a few minutes’ drive away, Sydney Zoo has a menagerie of more than 4,000 animals from across the globe and is New South Wales’ only combined zoo and aquarium. Observe lions, elephants and statuesque giraffes along the African Boardwalk, explore the world’s largest Reptile & Nocturnal House, or soar above it all on the giant Ferris wheel. With accessible paths throughout, it’s easy to spend a full day here discovering everything from rhinoceros to reef fish.

Where to stay

It’s hard to beat the location of the PARKROYAL Parramatta, with modern rooms set near the Parramatta River in the heart of the city. Also well located is SKYE Suites Parramatta, offering spacious studios and one- and two-bedroom suites – all self-contained with separate living areas, kitchenettes and laundries, as well as access to luxe creature comforts such as a full gym and dreamy outdoor pool. Or, drive south to Warwick Farm to check in to the plush, equine-themed William Inglis Hotel, where you’ll find a 144 sleek rooms, an impressive day spa and a rooftop pool overlooking the Warrick Farm Racecourse and the city beyond.

And in Penrith, a host of stylish options roll out the welcome mat. For five-star indulgence, Pullman Sydney Penrith delivers sleek rooms, an on-site restaurant and bar, and a bespoke sleep therapy menu – all within the dynamic Penrith Panthers Precinct near the Nepean River. Right next door, the Mercure Penrith is a recently renovated retreat with an outdoor pool, fitness centre and easy access to local dining and entertainment. And for longer stays or more space to spread out, Quest Penrith features apartment-style accommodation with full kitchens and laundry facilities – ideal for anyone looking to stay awhile to fully explore Sydney’s vibrant backyard.