With construction well on the way at Sydney’s second international airport and due to open for travel in 2026, the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport has already created a buzz throughout Western Sydney. It is in Badgerys Creek, on the traditional land of the Dharug people.
Expecting to draw in 10 million people per year, we know the airport is already fast-tracking Western Sydney into the future. With so much to look forward to, you might be wondering what can you expect to find, experience, and discover right now.
WEST has curated a list of experiences and destinations that will surprise you, that are within a 25-minute drive of the burgeoning Western Sydney International Airport. Visiting Western Sydney today is such a rare opportunity to witness generational change and transition, and we recommend creating at least a day out of it!
We start our exploration in the heart of it all, at the Western Sydney International Experience Centre.
WESTERN SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT EXPERIENCE CENTRE | 100 EATON ROAD, LUDDENHAM
Offering a spectacular vantage point over the construction of the airport, a visit to the WSI Experience Centre will leave you in awe at the scale of what’s to come. Genuinely mind-blowing.
There are excellent interactive and immersive displays which show you just what is going to happen in Western Sydney come 2026 and into the future. Explore interviews with workers and stakeholders, learn about the flight paths and layout, and envision the future of this enormous undertaking.
We love that every time we visit, the panoramic view of construction has changed. You can see the progress, and it’s certainly very exciting. If you haven’t visited before you’re in for quite a surprise.
LUNDEN HOUSE | 76 WILLMINGTON ROAD, LUDDENHAM | 3 MINUTES
Just a stone’s throw away from the airport, you’ll find a stylish and elegant café called Lunden House. This Italian-inspired café is situated in a beautiful cottage surrounded by well-manicured gardens, an animal farmhouse, and outdoor seating. You can’t miss it.
It’s an excellent breakfast spot any day of the week, and all dishes are made fresh by their friendly team. We love their colourful salads, smoothies, and their house-made meatballs.
Enjoy your morning outside under an umbrella, or on the beautiful deck overlooking the street. This is certainly one café you’ll find yourself popping into every time you visit the airport! There is a host of other quaint cafes and eateries in Luddenham so make sure you explore this village next to the airport.
LUDDENHAM RACEWAY | 821-849 LUDDENHAM ROAD, LUDDENHAM | 6 MINUTES
Luddenham is also home to the very popular Luddenham Raceway. Hidden among the rolling hills, and Christmas tree farms, the Luddenham Raceway not only has a perfect backdrop but is also a super fun and safe course for the family.
There’s the go-kart circuit where you can race friends and beat your own PB (personal best) – genuinely a thrilling activity for people young and young at heart.
Up the hill, you’ll also see the motorsports park and you might even catch a track day where car enthusiasts race around the purpose-built circuit. It’s certainly the place to get your Formula 1 thrill started.
WARRAGAMBA DAM | PRODUCTION AVENUE, WARRAGAMBA | 19 MINUTES
For something iconically Western Sydney, and a tad nostalgic, Warragamba Dam is a short drive away. This amazing engineering feat is the main source of drinking water for Western Sydney and was completed in 1960.
The grounds are beautiful and primed for a picnic, and if visiting on a weekend you can walk across the dam wall. Wherever you look, you’ll find evidence of just how significant this dam is to the region – and WaterNSW has created a series of informative panel around the area. The visitor’s centre is a must-see with great interactive activities for learning. Warragamba is a lovely village with some great small businesses too, WEST has explored before so check out more in our content.
WYLDE BMX AND MTB | RANGE ROAD, CECIL HILLS | 18 MINUTES
Western Sydney has recently become the home of the largest combined mountain biking and BMX hub in Australia, and it’s open sunrise to sunset with free entry.
Wylde BMX and MTB has 17 mountain bike trails that run through the bush of the Western Sydney Parklands, it also has the largest pump track in the Southern Hemisphere. From the moment you set foot in Wylde, you can see just how much thought and planning has gone into making this an excellent for training and inspiring the next generation of BMXers. This is a state-of-the-art facility and a great discovery in Western Sydney.
TREETOPS ADVENTURE WESTERN SYDNEY | 749 ELIZABETH DRIVE, ABBOTSBURY | 25 MINUTES
As you can tell, there’s plenty of adventure to be had in Western Sydney. Hidden high (and not-so-high) in the native gum trees of Western Sydney Parklands in Abbotsbury, you’ll find TreeTops Adventure. A must visit for families and those seeking a thrill.
For anyone up for a challenge, there are four junior courses and four tree ropes courses of varying levels of difficulty. Perfect for all ages, get ready to be shaking with adrenaline as you take on over 100 obstacles high up in the trees.
This Western Sydney location is also home to Australia’s first and only Zipcoaster. It’s an incredible 500-metre track through the trees that loops, twists, and drops! If your heart wasn’t already pumping, it will be after this!
THE BUNKER | 1319 MULGOA ROAD, MULGOA | 11 MINUTES
The Bunker is the type of place that will catch your eye as you drive past – you simply can’t resist popping in for a visit! Within a beautifully refurbished cottage, this café, restaurant, and bar has a huge and perfectly landscaped garden and function area. Enjoy a meal on their verandah, in their cosy dining area, or out in the garden. Enjoy a Vittoria Coffee in a relaxed and genuinely beautiful setting.
Delicious, quality mains, scrumptious desserts, and to-die-for cocktails – The Bunker is a memorable venue for almost every occasion, day, and night. The food is well-considered, has some incredible healthy options and leaves you wanting more.
PENRITH REGIONAL GALLERY | 86 RIVER ROAD, EMU PLAINS | 22 MINUTES
Western Sydney is full of artists and creatives who share their own culture and influences within their art. This is always on full display at Penrith Regional Gallery, a picturesque and calm art gallery along the banks of the Nepean River.
We love visiting the gallery, and it’s always busy with art and culture lovers alike. Whenever you visit, you’re bound to find a new exhibit on display. You’ll also find programs and events including artist talks, musical performances, and workshops. As it is a regional gallery, this means exhibitions of the highest quality that tour NSW will come to PRG. Keep an eye out for what’s on as it's always brilliant.
Wander the grounds and discover their collection of works from across Western Sydney, Australia, and the world. It's very popular as a lunch spot, a retreat from the busy Penrith city centre and a place to gather with family and friends.
MARCEL BAR & BISTRO | 81 MULGOA ROAD PENRITH | 23 MINUTES
Within The Pullman above the lobby, is a super sleek, contemporary, and sophisticated fine dining restaurant and bar: Marcel Bar & Bistro. Bringing casual fine dining to Western Sydney.
Named after the acclaimed modernist architect and designer Marcel Beuer who designed a factory in Penrith (the only Breuer building in Australia), this bar exudes aesthetic excellence. From their incredible Bauhaus-inspired interiors to their very fine mains menu sourced from local produce, this is a culinary destination for anyone looking to impress. And we haven’t even mentioned their bar menu!
With 150 selected wines from local and international producers, any meal can be perfectly paired. Their cocktails are also splendid and made to perfection by the very professional bartenders. Ask for their signature cocktails. If you are a foodie, then this is certainly one to come and enjoy time and again. If you know your wines, you will be very delighted by the wine list. Well considered and very well done.
Marcel Bar & Bistro is unique to the area and a game changer for Western Sydney’s fine dining industry. The experience is on point, approachable and attracts a wide range of guests day and night. Keep an eye out for events and tastings held regularly in Marcel.
THE PULLMAN PENRITH | 81 MULGOA ROAD PENRITH | 23 MINUTES
If you’re looking for a five-star stay in one of Western Sydney’s most lively neighbourhoods, you’ll want to book a night at brand new, 5-star offering, The Pullman in Penrith.
All rooms are beautifully furbished with great views of the surroundings. We love the feeling of luxury and being treated to something special. The architecture is stunning, the location perfect and the hospitality is second to none. Spend a night and you can explore the next day an incredible array of things to do in and around the hotel.
Western Sydney has so much to offer, is very rapidly changing, growing, and evolving. At WEST, we love that we can share the beauty, quality, and variety of experiences right on your doorstep. Get out and explore this unique part of the Sydney Basin.
The Western Sydney International Airport is a catalyst for economic growth and change and it is creating opportunities for everyone to create, discover and enjoy.
Comments