The Historical township of Campbelltown celebrates its 200th year since being established in 1820.
Named after Elizabeth Campbell, the wife of the governor Lachlan Macquarie, the township was originally referred to as Campbell-Town, later to be simplified to the current name of Campbelltown. Apart of the Greater Western Sydney region, Campbelltown covers an area of over 312 square kilometres stretching from Glenfield to Menangle Park.
When visiting the, a must-see is The Campbelltown Arts Centre, located within the historic precinct of Campbelltown. It holds a collection of over 1400 works from artists both locally and internationally. Located on Dharawal land and run through the Campbelltown council, the gallery runs programmes such as the Yirran Miigaydhu Weavers Group. Established in 2015, the Aboriginal Women’s weaving program is designed for aboriginal women living within South-West Sydney. The name Yirran Miigaydhu was collectively chosen, meaning ‘many women weaving’ in Dharawal language. The centre also holds several exhibitions throughout the year, including the upcoming annual Fishers Ghost Art Award.
While at the gallery, be sure to check out the Japanese Garden located outside of the main gallery building.
The Japanese gardens were a special gift from the citizens of Koshigaya, Campbelltown’s sister city in Japan, in 1988. The Gardens are representative of the religion of both Shinto and the indigenous religion of Japan, Zen Buddhism. Spend some time walking around the gardens, keeping an eye out for the waterfall, koi pond, and traditional 16th-century tea house.
The gallery is getting prepared to host the 2020 Fisher’s Ghost Art Award, which will run from the Saturday the 31st of October through to Friday the 11th of December.
The Campbelltown Heritage and Cultural walk takes you from the art gallery up to Queen Street, the commercial hub of Campbelltown, and grab yourself something to eat from one of the many food outlets. The variety of food available within this stretch of road is really quite incredible, with Lebanese, Vietnamese, Thai, and more on offer. One of the favourite spots to go to Oregano Leaf Bakery. A simple bakery offering traditional Lebanese Manoosh at very reasonable prices. Be sure to try the traditional oregano and cheese Manoosh, as well as a Pide with a variety of fillings.
After you have grabbed your food, head up to either Mawson Park at the Corner of Queen Street and Cordeaux Street, or head back toward the gallery to Koshigaya Park – a park again named after the sister City in Japan.
When visiting Campbelltown, the gallery is best accessed by car, but can also be reached by train travelling to Campbelltown or Macarthur Station. From here, take the heritage and cultural walk up to Queen Street.
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