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Great Southern Nights Guide: Western Sydney

Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic ParkCredit: Destination NSW

Family exploring Bicentennial Park in Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush

#feelnewsydney

Great Southern Nights Guide: Western Sydney

Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park Credit: Destination NSW

Family exploring Bicentennial Park in Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush

#feelnewsydney

Hashtags #feelnewsydney

Take a culture trip to Western Sydney during New South Wales’ month-long music festival, Great Southern Nights, where Penrith, Parramatta and surrounds offer riverside beauty, an ever-blossoming arts and dining scene, and incredible staycation-worthy excursions alongside a star-studded line-up of gigs.

Great Southern Nights Gigs

The Buoys will have the Albion Hotel in Parramatta (14 Mar) attracting punk rockers from far and wide, while the Evan Theatre in Penrith will reverberate with the swing sounds of David Campbell (23 Mar). At Riverside Theatre, Parramatta, soul sisters Vika and Linda (23 Mar) will guarantee a good time.

Great Southern Nights 2024 - David Campbell Credit: Morse Code

Great Southern Nights 2024 - David Campbell

#feelnsw

Great Southern Nights 2024 - David Campbell Credit: Morse Code

Great Southern Nights 2024 - David Campbell

#feelnsw

Great Southern Nights 2023 Taster Series Credit: Morse Code

Great Southern Nights 2023 Taster Series

#feelnsw

Great Southern Nights 2023 Taster Series Credit: Morse Code

Great Southern Nights 2023 Taster Series

#feelnsw

Eat & Drink

Checho’s

Enjoy cooking that is somewhere between American-style Mexican, real Mexican and modern Mexican, think fried chicken tacos, mezcal spiked halloumi and Mexican spiced watermelon and feta salad.

The Union 

Savour a classic Portuguese experience – paprika-spiced seafood, bread on the table, Iberian wines and a Portuguese tart to finish.

Oribu

Embark on a new era of dining with Parramatta’s first Japanese fine dining experience at Heritage Lounge. Our new head chef, Harry Cho, brings over two decades of culinary expertise to create a menu that is unparalleled in taste and quality. Experience a perfect balance of flavours, textures, and aromas with every dish, crafted with only the freshest ingredients and a keen eye for detail. 

Nick & Nora’s, Parramatta

From this lofty rooftop locale, let your eyes drift 26 floors down as you marvel at just how grown-up Parramatta has become with its elegant bars and polished eateries. Raise a martini to this coming of age in the post-prohibition-inspired cocktail bar that is Nick & Nora’s, where you can sip perfectly formed tipples and sup local oysters.

Lilymu, Parramatta

Chopsticks at the ready for this contemporary-edged interpretation of Chinese and Southeast Asian fare from executive chef Brendan Fong. Dine by the light of a neon-lit lotus flower and relish the classics reimagined with care and using ethically sourced ingredients. 

CicciaBella, Parramatta

An easy-going Italian trattoria to service all your pizza, antipasti and pasta needs. Restaurateur Maurice Terzini of Icebergs Dining Room & Bar puts his signature polish on this Parramatta Square diner that serves up robust flavours with all the affability of Italian-style hospitality.

Mr Watkin’s Bar, Penrith

Named after a bygone Penrith personality, Mr Watkin Tench, this establishment is a café by day, but once the sun sets, transforms into a restaurant and speakeasy-style bar. Staff have excellent hospitality pedigree, to supply delicious fare and good times for all.

Nick and Nora's, Parramatta Credit: Destination NSW

Young people having a drink at Nick and Nora's rooftop bar

#feelnewsydney

Nick and Nora's, Parramatta Credit: Destination NSW

Young people having a drink at Nick and Nora's rooftop bar

#feelnewsydney

Lilymu, Parramatta Credit: Cole Bennetts

Lilymu, located within Parramatta Square, adds a delicious twist to the flavours of China and South East Asia.

#feelnewsydney

Lilymu, Parramatta Credit: Cole Bennetts

Lilymu, located within Parramatta Square, adds a delicious twist to the flavours of China and South East Asia.

#feelnewsydney

Play

Sydney Zoo

After seeing the musicians on their stage, be sure to make time to see mammals play in their arena. A visit to the Sydney Zoo will keep the family entertained: talk to the apes on Primate Boulevard, let a meerkat perch on your shoulder, and stroke the shiny scales of a snake. There’s also a giant Ferris wheel, many bookable close encounters with resident animals, and even the opportunity to be a zookeeper for the day.

Raging Waters Sydney

Throw yourself directly in the deep end on a sun-soaked excursion to Raging Waters. From gentle waterslides to suit the smaller and less adventurous among us to the more intense Bombora that hurtles adrenaline-hunters into swirling currents, this fun park offers all manner of waterlogged thrills.

Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park

If you’ve never had much luck happening across Australian fauna in their bushland habitats, you can be guaranteed to meet furry, feathered and scaly friends at Featherdale, which lays claim to the largest collection of Australian native animals in the world. Visit Koala Kindy, encounter a quokka, and feed a roo or two.

Sydney Coliseum Theatre at West HQ

Be immersed in a revolving door of talent at the architecturally, technically and culturally significant Sydney Coliseum Theatre. As well as electrifying live music shows for Great Southern Nights, there’s plenty more to entertain, from theatre and dance to comedy shows.

Skyline Drive-In

Enjoy a night out under the stars watching a blockbuster, having a beverage and enjoying a tasty treat from the diner menu... sounds like a perfect night.Skyline Drive-In offers a nostalgic yet new experience with the latest Hollywood blockbusters, a 'Happy Days'-style retro diner, and a truly unique night of fun. The Skyline Drive-In screens a range of retro and popular blockbusters.

Raging Waters Sydney, Prospect Credit: Destination NSW

Visitors enjoying a day out at The Beach located at Raging Waters Sydney, Prospect.

#feelnewsydney

Raging Waters Sydney, Prospect Credit: Destination NSW

Visitors enjoying a day out at The Beach located at Raging Waters Sydney, Prospect.

#feelnewsydney

Anderson's Tours, Featherdale Wildlife Park Credit: Destination NSW

Anderson's Tours offers a small group touring experience to the Blue Mountains including Featherdale Wildlife Park.

#feelnewsydney

Anderson's Tours, Featherdale Wildlife Park Credit: Destination NSW

Anderson's Tours offers a small group touring experience to the Blue Mountains including Featherdale Wildlife Park.

#feelnewsydney

Explore

Taste Cultural Food Tours

Expand the horizons of your palate as Western Sydney’s diverse food offerings unfurl before you on a global tasting tour. From Cabramatta’s Vietnamese eateries to Liverpool’s Middle Eastern fare, these flavours will linger in your memory long after you’ve taken the last bite.

Western Sydney Parklands

Spanning from Blacktown to Leppington over 27 well-maintained kilometres of parklands, this green space has been designed for the recreation of everyone, including their pooches. There’s the Warrigal Run, Sydney’s largest off-leash dog area, picnic areas, mountain bike trails, kids’ playgrounds, and even the TreeTops Adventure Park, should you feel the desire to test your heart rate on a hurtle through the canopy via zipline.

Elizabeth Farm

Commenced in 1793, Elizabeth Farm contains the oldest surviving European building in Australia. Once home to Elizabeth and John Macarthur, pioneers of the Australian wool industry, it is a rare example of an early Australian colonial homestead. It is also one of the most accessible house museums you will ever visit. There are no inhibiting room barriers, so you can wander freely through the house, draw up a chair to a table, read family letters and newspapers, relax on shady verandas or warm up before an open fire and imagine life in the early colony.

Elizabeth Farm, Rosehill Credit: Destination NSW

Couple enjoying a visit to the historic Elizabeth Farm estate, Rosehill in Sydney's west.

#feelnewsydney

Elizabeth Farm, Rosehill Credit: Destination NSW

Couple enjoying a visit to the historic Elizabeth Farm estate, Rosehill in Sydney's west.

#feelnewsydney

Western Sydney Parklands, Eastern Creek Credit: Destination NSW

Young people enjoying a day out at Western Sydney Parklands

#feelnewsydney

Western Sydney Parklands, Eastern Creek Credit: Destination NSW

Young people enjoying a day out at Western Sydney Parklands

#feelnewsydney

Stay 

Pullman Penrith

Experience $110 million of luxury development with a stay at the new Pullman Penrith. Across 153 rooms, a new Modern-European bar and restaurant, a state-of-the-art fitness and wellness centre (designed in partnership with the Penrith Panthers) and an incredible function centre, the new hotel is a destination stay between the Blue Mountains and Sydney’s west.

SKYE Suites, Parramatta

With all the necessary luxe details to feel thoroughly pampered, earmark this one for a city staycation. Located within easy reach of Western Sydney’s most covetable attractions, such as Parramatta Square, Parramatta Park and Riverside Theatre, SKYE Suites offers a contemporary place to relax after your Great Southern Night. Plunge into the infinity pool, ascend to the rooftop bar, Nick & Nora’s, and exhale at the onsite spa.

Novotel Sydney West HQ, Rooty Hill

Located at Western Sydney’s most happening address, this 4.5-star hotel puts you squarely in the action. Close to restaurants, bars and the Sydney Coliseum Theatre, it’s the perfect end to a night watching Jimmy Barnes on stage.

Mercure, Penrith

In downtown Penrith, just a short drive from the enlivening air of the Blue Mountains, Mercure Penrith is within easy reach of Western Sydney’s urban and natural highlights. Soothing tones and an understated aesthetic make this a fuss-free and entirely agreeable stay.

...

For more information on Great Southern Nights and to purchase tickets go to greatsouthernnights.com.au. Start planning your Great Southern Nights road trip and learn more about New South Wales’ diverse destinations and experiences at sydney.com and visitnsw.com.

Share your Feel New moments with #FeelNSW and #FeelNewSydney.

SKYE Suites Sydney Credit: SKYE Suites Sydney

SKYE Suites Sydney

#feelnew #feelnewsydney

SKYE Suites Sydney Credit: SKYE Suites Sydney

SKYE Suites Sydney

#feelnew #feelnewsydney

Parramatta River, Parramatta Credit: Destination NSW

Couple enjoying a walk along the banks of the Parramatta River, Parramatta.

#feelnewsydney

Parramatta River, Parramatta Credit: Destination NSW

Couple enjoying a walk along the banks of the Parramatta River, Parramatta.

#feelnewsydney

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