Dawson-Damer Park, Oran Park

Our first day of 2021 was spent exploring the recently opened Dawson-Damer Park in Oran Park. 

 

There are plenty of access points to the park for both prams and wheelchairs, with wide pathways although the park is not flat. There is ample seating though in some places it is far away from the playground so not suitable for children who need constant supervision. There is also plenty of parking but I imagine it will fill up quickly in warmer weather when the water play splash park is more in demand.

The change rooms and toilets are spacious with baby change tables in most. There is a park for smaller children at one end and a park for bigger kids at the other with the splash park in between plus ping-pong (table tennis) tables and a half basketball court. There are water bubblers / drink fountains available.

My kids aged 14 and 11 enjoyed the 'ninja course' although the timer didn't appear to be working. They also enjoyed seeing a herd of cows come down to a nearby damn for a drink.

Dawson-Damer Park is located at the corner of Dick Johnson Drive and O'Toole Avenue in Oran Park, just down from the Camden Council office and Oran Park Library. More information about the facilities available can be found via Camden Council website.

Marsden Park

Marsden Park in Park Central, Campbelltown is a great spot to spend a lunch break. Tranquil and peaceful, it's easy to forget you're in the heart of a city.

 

 

 

Tranquil and peaceful, it's easy to forget you're in the heart of a city.

 

There's also a great kids playground at Marsden Park in Park Central, and with coffee shops and eateries just across the road it also makes for a great spot to stop for a bite to eat.

A view towards the duck pond in Marsden Park in Park Central, Campbelltown.

 

 

Whether you're walking the dog or taking the kids for a bike road, the wide level paths are very accessible. There's also gym / workout equipment free for public use at Marsden Park.

Thirroul

One of the great things about living in Macarthur is that it is possible to get to some great beaches in under an hour. One of our favourite spots is Thirroul, including Thirroul Beach Reserve picnic area.

Right next to the surf life saving club and the patrolled beach (September - April) is a picnic area big enough to kick a football around on, a great playground, an enclosed saltwater pool, toilets including disabled toilets, and a café. Thirroul beach is ranked 'moderately hazardous' with drop-offs and rips so the playground and pool make a great alternative to ocean swimming for younger families.

Thirroul is also popular for people with fur kids because just south of Thirroul beach is McCauley's beach which allows for leash free. McCauley's Beach can be reached via Corbett Avenue, Thirroul.

Thirroul makes for a great day out no matter the weather but be aware that the weather can be quite different by the coast - often cooler and windier - than back home in Macarthur. Check out Beach Safe for up to date conditions before you go:

https://beachsafe.org.au/beach/nsw/wollongong/thirroul/thirroul

Thirroul Beach Reserve Picnic Area is located in Cliff Parade, Thirroul, NSW 2515

NB: Thirroul is reached quickest by Bulli Pass but Bulli Pass is closed until Monday 5th December to install 1.1 kilometres of fencing to minimise rock falls onto the road and improve safety for motorists.

Please note that all images on this blog are protected by copyright. Do not copy and share without prior permission.

November Rain

 Rizal Park, Rosemeadow

It's November and that means unpredictable weather but more excitingly Fisher's Ghost! That's right, it's once again that time of year when we get to experience a parade, a street fair, outdoor gigs and movies, an art exhibition, carnival and fireworks - mostly FREE and all to celebrate the ghostly appearance of Fred Fisher, intent on guiding a local farmer to his body and thus solve the mystery of his disappearance 189 years ago.

For a full calendar of events check out the Festival of Fisher's Ghost website.

And if it's Fisher's Ghost, that must mean Christmas is just around the corner. If you happened to be at Macarthur Square this morning you may have witnessed the jolly man himself arriving, with his sizeable entourage, ready for those all essential Christmas photos. You can find out more about Santa's arrival at Macarthur Square's website. (Oh and a tip for parking - try the middle floor car-park, Big W end. Yes it's still open!)

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Fisher's Ghost Festival

Today is Halloween and that means Fisher's Ghost - Australia's only festival inspired by a ghost story - is just around the corner.

Staring on Saturday the 3rd of November with the parade along Queen Street (1pm to 3.30pm) and running for more than a week, there will be the usual street fair stalls, carnivals, exhibitions and fireworks across Campbelltown.

For detailed calender information on Fisher's Ghost Festival, or to register for events, check out the Festival of Fisher's Ghost website. You can also 'like' the Facebook page Events in Campbelltown to keep up to date with the latest news.

Oz Bubs @ Wizard of Oz

Help celebrate Playgroup NSW's 40th birthday at Wizard of Oz Funland in Hollylea Road, Leumeah on Wednesday the 1st of August from 10am to noon. Entry is FREE for existing Playgroup members. This event is being held in conjunction with Campbelltown Zone playgroups.

Library open day

This Saturday, 26th May, the H J Daley library (the main library in Campbelltown, opposite Koshigaya Park) is holding an open day. This is a great opportunity to familiarise yourself with all the services the library has to offer and learn about things like Storytime for Kids, digital book borrowing (ebooks) and the Bookalicious reading program for primary kids.

For more info check out the main library page on the Campbelltown Council website (http://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/Library) or the Campbelltown City Library blog. The Open Day is between 10am to 3pm. There will be a book sale, live music performances, face painting and giveaways.

Campbelltown Library also has a dedicated blog just for kids: http://campbelltownchildrensblog.blogspot.com.au/

Australia Day

Last year for Australia Day we went down to Bulli and I got badly sunburnt. Even if the weather had been conducive to a beach visit, I wasn't keen to repeat the experience so we decided to visit somewhere we've never been before - Macarthur Park in Camden.

It's hard to believe we've lived in the area for 12 years but not visited this well-known park previously. Macarthur Park is a great place for taking photos with lots of different settings from the rose garden to the wisteria-covered pergola and 'fern walk'.

The park and especially the playground area were clean and well maintained but there were some broken beer bottles in the bandstands. There are a few steps but the park can largely be covered with a stroller although some sections are quite steep. At the top of the park and in Menangle Road there are some fantastic views across the region.

Afterwards we drove down to the new and somewhat controversial McDonalds (there was initially a lot of resistance to having a Maccas in Camden) for a 50c cone then walked a little way up Argyle Street to watch the parade. I have never seen so many fire engines in one place! There were lots of vintage cars and where else but in Camden would you find a float with a real cow on the back?

Review: Christmas Carols at Mt Annan Botanic Gardens

I know, I'm not supposed to call it Mount Annan Botanic Gardens anymore. It's now the Australian Botanic Garden. Why the name change, I really don't know but anyway it's been a favourite venue of ours for many years, even before the entry fee was abolished.
However, we hadn't attended the annual Landcom Carols in the Garden event before this year due to clashes with other events. Our calendar was free last Saturday night, and the rain promised to hold off for the evening, so we packed up the picnic rug and headed down. We arrived at around 5.15 ready for the show kick-off advertised to start at 5.30. The garden was already packed - you have to get there early to get a spot in front of the stage - and people continued to arrive for the next couple of hours.
We took a picnic dinner but there were plenty of stalls available selling food and drink. The older kids took off for a game of soccer. The younger kids were entertained by dancers from Commotion , a local performing arts school, and the Smurfs Christmas Show. Following that were many talented singers supported by a 4-piece band. The night culminated in a spectacular fireworks show.
Despite the huge number of people - apparently the biggest ever, according to host Monica Trapaga - getting out at the end of the evening wasn't too big of a challenge, helped by the new entrance/exit on Narellan Road.
We'll no doubt be visiting the gardens again over these school hols and we'll definitely be making room in our calendar for the carols next year.

It's that time of year again...

The Fisher's Ghost Festival has kicked off and there's lots happening this weekend with the street parade, family fun festival and Fisher's Gig on Saturday, and Fisher's Kids on Sunday at Campbelltown Arts Centre. As part of Fisher's Gig, there'll be fireworks going off at 9pm on Saturday so if you're near Bradbury Oval, a) head outside for a look and b) make sure your pets are locked away safe.

If you feel like heading out of Campbelltown for some tranquility, Bingara Gorge at Wilton are running some free events including a yoga class and story time plus a twilight cinema on Saturday. On Sunday they've got kids gardening and a science show. For more info, check out the website.

For something cultural, the 141st Scottish Highland Gathering is being held at the Castle Hill showground. This is a family event with dancing, bagpipes, haggis hurling (what the?), a vintage car display plus food and drink stalls. For more info, check out the Facebook page.

With so much happening in the Macarthur area and surrounds this weekend - and predicted good weather - it's going to be hard to make a choice. Where are you planning to be?

What's On in Macarthur

Every month, Visit Macarthur produce a guide to what's on in the area. This can be picked up at various spots around Campbelltown including the Campbelltown Visitor Information Centre in Old Menangle Road (just down the road from Rydges Hotel), libraries and swimming centres. You can visit their website or download the October guide here. (PDF)

There's a few things happening in October that have caught my eye including an open day at the Macarthur Centre for Sustainable Living which is also holding some free workshops this month, and the OPA! Greek Festival at the Wizard of Oz Funland in Leumeah.

There's always something happening in Camden and Campbelltown so be sure to check out what's on.

Sunflowers in the garden

If you're lucky enough to have a patch of dirt, growing plants is a great way to keep the kids occupied in the long summer evenings now that daylight saving is here. Even if you don't have a garden, a large pot, some dirt and a packet of seeds is a great way to teach children where some of our food comes from.

Sunflowers are a great first plant for children because they're easy to grow and their rapid growth means kids can see changes daily. Junior Landcare in conjuction with Yates are encouraging kids to get gardening this spring by supplying free sunflower seeds and running a competition to see who can grow the biggest sunflower. The Sunflower Challenge website has everything you need to know about growing sunflowers.

Free activities these school hols

We all seem to be feeling the pinch these days so if you're looking for some free activities to keep the kids occupied these spring holidays, read on.

The bike education centre is open 10-3 every day during the school holidays except for Monday 4th which is a public holiday. This is a great location for kids aged 2-10. Scooters or bikes are allowed but helmets must be worn. Entry is free.

For older kids, the skate park on Hollylea Road at Leumeah is a great place to hang out. For skaters, skateboarders, scooters and BMX bikers, it has rips, a wave wall, a mini-pipe and a square rail. I have no idea what any of that is but the word on the street is that Leumeah skate park is "da beast". I suspect the fact that it's just across the road from Woodbine Maccas, Hungry Jacks & Krispy Kreme Donuts adds to the appeal. It does get very crowded though.

I've mentioned Mount Annan Botanic Gardens a few times in this blog as one of our favourite places to visit because of the great playground and picnic areas. But the $9.00 entry fee for cars puts us off visiting more often. However, on Tuesday 5th October, the gardens are having a free entry day and according to their Facebook page, there's going to be some craft activities happening too.

The blue tree: one of the many attractions in Mount Annan Botanic Gardens

What's your favourite playground in Macarthur?

Our favourite playground is the one at Mount Annan Botanic Gardens. It has a sand-pit to keep the littlies amused and a flying fox for the bigger kids. And of course the Botanic Gardens has heaps of other great attractions like the dinosaur hunt and bush food 'museum'.

But entry to the Botanic Gardens is not free so for a cheaper family day out we head to the Plough and Harrow on Elizabeth Drive in Cecil Hills. This also has a sandpit and flying fox plus some great swings and cycleways.

If you're willing to head a bit further afield these coming school holidays, there are lots of great parks around NSW. Try the Playground Finder and have fun being a tourist in your own backyard.

Don't forget to pop back here and let us know which one you like the best. And be sure to let us know if you discover a great new place for families.

What's on this weekend in Macarthur?

If you've got no plans for the weekend, head down to Aldi in Ambarvale (45 Woodhouse Drive) on Saturday to help celebrate their 1st birthday. There will be clowns and free food samples from 8:30am. Proceeds from a sausage sizzle will go towards the Bradbury Ambarvale Bears Soccer Club so it's a good excuse to have a sausage sandwich for breakfast.

After you've had your fill of yummy food, maybe head to the Woodland Road Public School Spring Fair in Helen's Park where there will be rides, market stalls, food stalls and games zones from 9am to 4pm.

Or enjoy browsing around the Camden Craft and Fine Food Fair at Onslow Park in Argyle Street. The fair starts at 8am and runs through until 4pm.

In the evening is one of our favourite events - Cinema Under the Stars at Mt Annan Botanic Gardens. This year they'll be showing Up and either Marley & Me (great movie for dog lovers but take tissues if you're sentimental) or The Blind Side. Food and drinks stalls are available or take a picnic. The fun starts at 6pm.

On Sunday, if you're not planning to enjoy some pedal power at the free Ready to Ride day event in Macquarie Fields and would prefer to enjoy some more sedate meanderings at the Camden Park House Open Day from 10am to 4pm. Tour the house and gardens of this historic Georgian home. Entry is $10 for adults.

Or head to Camden's taste food, wine and music festival at Camden Town Farm, Exeter Street from noon to 5pm.

Whatever you get up to, we'd love to hear about your weekend!

Bicycle Education and Road Safety Centre open day

To celebrate 20 years of operation, the Campbelltown City Council Bicycle Education and Road Safety Centre is having an open day. This is a free family event. There will be bicycle inspections (bring your bike!), face painting, jumping castle, education programs and sausage sizzle.

Sunday 11th July

10.30am to 2.30pm

The bike centre is located on the corner of Broughton Street and Moore Oxley Bypass, next to the cemetery. Access and parking is at the end of King Street. Children can also bring scooters but helmets must be worn whatever type of wheels you bring. There's also a playground and picnic tables.

The Centre is open every Sunday and Monday to Friday of the school holidays from 10am to 3pm. Entry is free.

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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NYE

If you're a long-term resident of Macarthur, you'll know about the wonderful New Year's Eve (NYE) party that Campbelltown Council host in Koshigaya Park. There's food stalls, top notch live entertainment and (weather permitting) terrific firework shows at 9pm and midnight. All set in a family friendly park with three playgrounds for the kids.

But it does get very busy - you have to get there early to reserve a good spot and spending hours in the park doesn't always go down too well with the littlies. Last year we discovered an alternative - Marsden Park in Park Central. Just up the road. There's no entertainment but the other few families celebrating make for a wonderful atmosphere. There's plenty of room for the kids to run around (or have a game of cricket), plus the playground and best of all, if you position yourself right, you'll still get a great view of the fireworks.

Take a picnic or dine at one of the restaurants in Kellicar Lane or Hyde Parade and stroll on over for the show. Just be ware of the red-bellied black snakes! (We spotted one on the way home near the ambulance station.)

Great Collection

The Cambelltown Arts Centre is a great place to spend a couple of hours, particularly for the older kids although younger ones will have fun running around the sculpture garden and seeing the koi carp in the Japanese teahouse. Currently the Arts Centre is showing the 'Great Collections' exhibition including items collected by Joseph Banks and Captain Cook on their voyages, paintings, tools, furniture, sculptures and other art installations from various collections including Brett Whitely and Picasso.
The Arts Centre is also currently displaying some of the famed duck collection of the late John Marsden. The Centre is located at the corner of Camden and Appin Roads near Aquafit. Entry is free and it is open from 10am - 4pm every day. Stroller friendly. We recommend following up a morning at the Arts Centre with lunch at Pancakes on the Rocks in Park Central. The installation of a fountain in Park Central in honour of John Marsden - he of the ducks - is now complete and worth a look.
The Arts Centre is running its summer holiday program from 5th to 18th January with workshops including Crazy Critters, Dinosaur Detective, Flower Pressing, Mini Musicians and more. None of the workshops are yet fully booked out so there is still time to enrol. Costs are between $5 and$12.50 with some activities free. Workshops mostly suit ages 6-12 but Mini Musicians has workshops for those under 5. Adult supervision is required for some workshops.
For bookings or further information, contact the Campbelltown Arts Centre on 02 4645 4100 or visit the Campbelltown Council website.

Spring School Holidays 2008

School holidays are also upon us and I thought you might be interested in this coupon which provides free entry for adults to Lollipops Playland. http://www.smartsaver.com.au/ss-company-profile.php?referer=searchresult&clientid=01642

The Campbelltown Bicycle Education Centre will be open over the school holidays. This is a great venue for kids of all ages. There is a sheltered playground for when kids get tired of riding around the planned section. Helmets must be worn and a ranger is usually on duty to check this rule is complied with. Entry is free. There is no kiosk, shops are within walking distance but best thing is to take a picnic lunch and mat or chairs and find a shady spot.