Plough and Harrow

One of our favourite parks to visit is a little outside Macarthur but it's an easy 25 minutes drive up the M5 and just off the M7 if you're willing to pay the toll. Otherwise you can go up via Cowpasture Drive (see map below).

Despite sounding like the name of an English pub, the Plough and Harrow makes for a great day for families of all ages. There's a toddler park for the littlies which includes a sandpit, a great little starter swing and a covered slide. For the older kids there's a set of swings in a circle, some climbing equipment and a terrific flying fox. The playground is great for kids aged 2-10 but older kids with bikes, scooters or skateboards will appreciate the extensive cycle and path ways.

For those who like walking, Plough and Harrow is connected to the Western Sydney Parklands track and there's also access to the M7 cycleway. There's heaps of free parking and plenty of shaded tables. The playground area does get busy of a weekend but in the left side of the park there are more grassed areas, tables and toilets.

Currently there are no food outlets in or near the park although there is a purpose built building up for lease - we reckon someone could do a roaring trade selling ice-creams in summer! There are also no bins so rubbish tends to accumulate, especially takeaway packaging. A cleaner/ranger collects the rubbish regularly but it can be off-putting to front up to a table piled with someone else's leftovers. Our only other gripe is that the flush for the toilets are set five feet off the ground, too high for many littlies to reach, so the toilets tend to get blocked.

Plough and Harrow is off Elizabeth Drive, Abbotsbury / Cecil Hills. It's a great day out for the whole family. Our advice it to take plenty of food and drink in reusable containers and a plastic bag to take rubbish home. Also be aware that there's an easily accessible tap next to the sandpit so you might want to consider a change of clothes for the little ones.


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