Things to see
Australia’s largest botanic garden, a heritage country town, Sydney’s best Vietnamese food, steam trains, a giant dam and quiet national parks. Here are the places worth your time, and how to fit them together.
Some of the oldest farming country in Australia, with a country town on the Nepean River, the country’s largest botanic garden and bushland running down towards the coast.
GardenAustralia’s largest botanic garden
More than 400 hectares of native plants, themed gardens, bushland walks and picnic lawns between Camden and Campbelltown, with kangaroos often grazing in the open country.
Country townA heritage town on the Nepean
A country town of the 1840s on the Nepean River, with a church on the hill, heritage streetscapes and the farmland where Australia’s wool industry began.
Historic townHome of Fisher’s Ghost
One of Governor Macquarie’s towns, founded in 1820, with Georgian buildings on Queen Street, a lively arts centre and Japanese garden, and a famous ghost story.
National parkSandstone creeks and rare swamps
Quiet sandstone bushland between Campbelltown and the Illawarra, with creeks, rock pools, wildflowers in spring and a deep Aboriginal heritage.
The multicultural heart of the south-west, with some of the best food in Sydney, a historic Macquarie town and wide parklands along the rivers.
Food & cultureSydney’s Little Saigon
Busy streets of Vietnamese, Lao, Cambodian and Chinese restaurants, bakeries and grocers around Freedom Plaza, and one of the best places in Australia to eat pho.
ParklandA green belt through the west
A long chain of parks, picnic grounds, bike trails and farmland running north from Leppington, home to Sydney Zoo and a working city farm.
LakesPaddling and picnics by Liverpool
Old sand and gravel workings on the Georges River turned into lakes and parkland, with shared paths, barbecues and quiet water for kayaks.
National parkBushland in the suburbs
Pockets of bush along the Georges River at Picnic Point, Lugarno and Revesby Heights, with riverside picnic areas, boat ramps and short walks.
South and west of Camden the suburbs give way to farms, railway towns and bushland, with Sydney’s great dam and lake hidden in the gorges.
VillageViaducts, old pubs and ghost stories
A village of sandstone buildings in a valley, with an 1860s railway viaduct, a disused railway tunnel, one of the state’s oldest pubs and a reputation for ghosts.
MuseumSteam trains at Thirlmere
The state’s main railway museum, in the village of Thirlmere, with a big collection of locomotives and carriages and heritage train rides on the old main line.
Dam & lookoutSydney’s great reservoir
The huge dam that supplies most of Sydney’s water, and a lookout high above Lake Burragorang and the wild gorges of the Blue Mountains.
National parkFive lakes in the bush
A chain of five small freshwater lakes in eucalyptus forest near Thirlmere, part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
South West Sydney is big, and its sights are spread between suburbs, country towns and bush. Plan each day around one area and allow for traffic at peak times.
Spend the morning at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, have lunch on Argyle Street in Camden, and visit the arts centre and Japanese garden in Campbelltown. Fit in a bushwalk in Dharawal National Park if you have time.
Explore Picton and its viaduct, ride a heritage train at the NSW Rail Museum in Thirlmere, then drive out to Burragorang Lookout for the late-afternoon view. Our weekend itinerary has the details.
Museums, heritage houses and train rides often open only on certain days. Check opening times before you plan your route.
Plan your South West Sydney trip
Float over Camden in a hot-air balloon, ride a day tour to the Blue Mountains or Southern Highlands, or head into the city for a harbour cruise. Compare tours and book in a couple of taps.