Places in Outer Sydney You Didn't Know You Wanted to Go!

Sydney is a vast city, a sprawl of sights historic, modern, beautiful, exciting, and quirky. A short drive in any direction will provide more than a whole day’s entertainment. So, if you’ve made sure you’ve got your car insurance paid up or can organise some car hire, Sydney can offer an array of diversions within an hour’s drive of the city centre.

Fox Studios

Ten minutes east lies one of Australia’s major movies studios where such grand productions as Moulin Rouge, The Matrix, Superman Returns, and Revenge of the Sith were filmed. Although the studio theme park closed ten years ago, there are still occasional guided tours of the sound stages. The adjacent Entertainment Quarter holds boutique shopping, fine dining, luxury cinemas, the AFTRS film academy, Brent Street dance school, a monthly market, and the Hordern Pavillion where some famous band or comedy act is usually performing.

Sydney Cricket Ground

Next door to the studios is the historic SCG. The heart of Sydney’s sporting spirit, it’s historic pavilions can almost be felt to hum with the cheers of a century and a half of matches. Even if you’re not interested in the game, it makes a sight to behold. Tours run every day except Sunday but, if the season is right, you might even catch a match.

Elizabeth Bay Farm and House

Australia’s oldest surviving homestead was built in 1793, just five years after settlement. Today it not only offers a wonderful heritage experience but also children’s educational programs, musical events, a working vegetable garden, and some elegant tea rooms. A wonderful day out west, especially for enquiring kids.

Muru Mittigar

This unique cultural experience in Castlereagh, western Sydney, is designed to allow participation and experience with indigenous Australian cultures. The name literally means ‘pathway to friends’ in the Darug language. Their demystification of native culture includes boomerang throwing, didjeridoo presentations, native plant walks, a cultural museum and a commercial art gallery as well as other special events.

The Quarantine Station

Situated on North Head, this station was built in 1832 to quarantine victims of contagious disease and broods with the echoes of suffering. Guided tours run daily for those interested in macabre history, otherwise this heritage site offers fine dining and an unusual option for quality accommodation.

Audley

Hidden away in the Royal National Park in Sydney’s south, Audley makes for a beautiful picnic area surrounding a causeway across the Hacking River. It also offers a fine swimming lagoon, paddle bike hire, and extensive bike tracks. To arrive in style, park at Loftus train station and take an antique tram from the nearby transport museum.

Cronulla Beach

Sydney is famous for its beaches and Bondi is the most famous among them. Some say it’s also the most overrated. An hour south of Sydney, Cronulla beach is less crowded, less touristy, bigger and more beautiful. Take care if you’re spending time in the sun or, better still, enjoy the view from one of the many restaurants on the waterfront.