Macarthur
The Macarthur district is at the south-western residential outskirts of Sydney, further south of South West Sydney. It includes Campbelltown, Narellan and Mount Annan.
Understand
The Macarthur region is part urban and part rural. As a consequence it provides an ideal base for exploring both city and country, providing modern accommodation and easy road and rail access to Sydney and to the countryside. Comprised of the three local government areas of Campbelltown, Camden and Wollondilly, it offers many local attractions, including parks alongside the Nepean River, Dharawal National Park, the Australian Botanic Gardens, Thirlmere Rail Heritage Centre, Wineries, Festivals and numerous recreational activities.
Tourist information centres
- Campbelltown, 15 Old Menangle Road.
- Camden, John Oxley Cottage, Elderslie.
- 1 Wollondilly, Old Picton Post Office (corner of Argyle and Menangle Streets, Picton.).
- Macarthur, 15 Old Menangle Road and John Oxley Cottage, Elderslie.
Get in
The general rule of Sydney public transport applies - that the closer you remain to the CBD the greater the likelihood of public transport being an effective way of getting there. Buses and train lines thin out in both density and frequency the further out towards the southwest suburbs you head, however for the careful transport planner, you can manage to get to most destinations without a car.
By car
The principle road corridor through Macarthur is the Hume Motorway (M31). To reach the Macarthur Region from central Sydney, first follow the tolled M5 South-Western Motorway. At Prestons the M5 merges into the toll-free M31, which heads south towards Campbelltown and beyond to Canberra and Melbourne. Take care at Prestons not to end up on the M7.
The M31 Hume Motorway has exits at Glenfield, Ingleburn*, Leumeah*, Campbelltown, Wilton, Bargo and Mittagong. (*partial-exits)
If you are travelling out from the city (or from Sydney Airport) towards the south-west for a day trip you'll be moving against the peak, and can expect a quick run on the motorway. Travel times can easily triple during peak commute times. However, if you are staying along the Hume Highway for some cheap accommodation to access Sydney or the airport, the M5 could be your nemesis. You may be bumper-to-bumper with people who had the same thought as you on the M5 while your flight is departing.
There are also a choice of slower roads, that travel through the suburbs and countryside of the area, but these are often winding at times.
By train
The electrified Sydney Trains network extends from central Sydney to Macarthur Station. Stations within the Region along this route are Campbelltown, Leumeah, Minto. Ingleburn, Macquarie Fields and Glenfield. Sydney Trains provide departure timetables and a suburban network map
Arrivals at Sydney Airport Domestic or International Terminals can catch the train to Macarthur directly on the T8 South Line.
Change at Glenfield for trains to and from the South West and Parramatta.
South of Macarthur Station, Campbelltown and Macarthur are served by diesel trains on the Southern Highlands Line, with stations at Menangle Park, Menangle, Douglas Park, Picton, Tahmoor and Bargo. The line extends further south to Mittagong & Bowral in the Southern Highlands; and terminates at Goulburn.
By bus
Buses service the region and information can be obtained from the private operator's website.
See
- 1 Australian Botanic Garden (Previously known as Mt Annan Botanic Garden), Mount Annan Dr, Mount Annan (Just off the southernmost Campbelltown exit from the M5, follow the signs. Buses run along the Northern Road adjacent to the park from Campbelltown station, however it is still a walk from here to facilities within the park.), ☏ +61 2 4634-7900. 10AM-5PM, closed on Christmas Day. Home to over 4000 species of plants, there's a more developed central area with a visitor's centre and cafe, and several large mountain biking and walking areas. Public access from Narellan Road. Keep an eye out for kangaroos on your way in, especially if coming in early morning. Free.
- 2 Campbelltown Arts Centre (Art Gallery), 1 Art Gallery Rd, Campbelltown (An easy walk from Campbelltown CBD), ☏ +61 2 4645-4100. Art gallery and a performance studio. There's also a Japanese garden and teahouse, a gift from Koshigaya, a sister city to Campbelltown. Free..
- 3 Dharawal National Park, Victoria Road, Wedderburn (From Campbelltown, follow Appin Road, Woodland Road, Karrabul Road, Wedderburn Road, Minerva Road, & Lysaght Road . Then take a left turn and drive along Victoria Road to the park entrance gate.), ☏ 1300 072 757 (local rate), +61 2 9995 6500 (when calling from overseas), info@environment.nsw.gov.au. Free.
- 4 Mawson Park, Queen Street, Campbelltown. (Opposite the Old Campbelltown Courthouse.). Mawson Park contains a war memorial, three significant armed forces memorials (artillery gun, ship's anchor and aircraft propeller), a memorial to the late Kevin Wheatley VC, a historic birdbath, an old milestone, a memorial to an Unknown Soldier, and a very beautiful statue of Elizabeth Macquarie (nee Campbell), after whom the City of Campbelltown was named. Free..
- 5 NSW Rail Museum (formerly Thirlmere Railway Museum and Trainworks), 10 Barbour Road, Thirlmere (If you are travelling by public transport take a Sydney Trains Southern Highlands Line train to Picton and catch a Picton Buslines service from the station to Thirlmere), toll-free: 1300 11 55 99. M-F 10AM-4PM Sa-Su 9AM-5PM. Heritage steam engine display and steam train rides.
Do
Paintball
The areas around Campbelltown are best known for its paintball parks.
- Ultimate Paintball, 885 Cawdor Road, Camden Park. This 120-acre paintball park is Sydney's largest. It has themed battlefields in wide open spaces and bushland.
- Delta Force Paintball, 275 Brian Rd, Appin, ☏ 1300 850 744 (local rate). Themed battlefields.
Self-Guided Walking Tours
- In the Footsteps of Fred Fisher Self Guided Tour, 15 Old Menangle Rd, ☏ +61 2 4645 4921, tourism@campbelltown.nsw.gov.au. Embark on this self-guided walking tour of Campbelltown’s most infamous resident, Fred Fisher.
- Campbelltown Self-Guided Heritage and Cultural Walk, 15 Old Menangle Rd, ☏ +61 2 4645 4921, tourism@campbelltown.nsw.gov.au. This popular self-guided tour provides visitors with a piece of living history and an insight into old Campbell Town.
Buy
There is no shortage of shopping malls all the way to Macarthur Square adjacent to Macarthur Station in the more distance
Eat
- Essen Cafe & Restaurant, 54 Queen St, Campbelltown, ☏ +61 2 80782216. 10AM-10PM. A double-storey establishment with an open airy balcony. Serves excellent schnitzels and pasta.
Drink
Sleep
- The Hermitage, 5 Grange Road, Leumeah, ☏ +61 2 46281144. Motel and serviced apartments.
- Ibis Budget Campbelltown, 3 Rennie Road, Campbelltown, ☏ +61 2 46287340.
- Rydges Campbelltown, 15 Old Menangle Road, Campbelltown, ☏ +61 2 46450500.
Go next
| Goulburn ← Picton ← | SW M31 NE | → South-western Sydney |
| END ← | SW T8 NE | → Revesby → Central |
| Goulburn ← Picton ← | SW SHL NE | → END |