West Pennant Hills: What are the best things to do?
The best things to do in West Pennant Hills, Sydney, include the Koala Park Sanctuary and Treetops Adventure Park. Also try the walking Murri-Yanna Track in the Bidjigal Reserve.
West Pennant Hills might instinctively feel like one of those interchangeable Western Sydney suburbs you can happily overlook. But it’s a surprisingly green part of Sydney with several worthwhile attractions.
Things to do in West Pennant Hills: Koala Park Sanctuary
The best things to do in West Pennant Hills include the Koala Park Sanctuary. The Koala Park Sanctuary is a fairly generic Australian wildlife park like the Oakvale Wildlife Park in Port Stephens or Ranger Red’s in Pinjarra, Western Australia.
It offers a chance to get up close to native Australian wildlife, such as emus, kookaburras, wombats and cockatoos. There are special presentations which introduce to koalas, pelicans and dingoes. It’s possible to pat the farmyard animals and hand-feed kangaroos.
13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book
- (💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour.
- Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
- Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour.
- Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
- See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
- (Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
- Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
- Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
- Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
- Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
- Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
- (🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.
The Koala Park Sanctuary feels rather old-fashioned, which is no real surprise given that it has been open since 1930. Entry costs $28. You can arguably get a better wildlife experience in Sydney at Taronga Zoo on Sydney Harbour or Featherdale Wildlife Park in Doonside, however.
Another reason why you might want to save your money for something else is that you can see wildlife elsewhere in West Pennant Hills. At the southern end of the suburb, you’ll find the Bidjigal Reserve.
Western Sydney walking trails in West Pennant Hills
This reserve spreads across the edges of several Western Sydney suburbs, following creek systems. It’s well-preserved bushland, with several walking trails through the tall forest. The 8km Murri-Yanna Track starts at the West Pennant Hills end, and winds through the Bidjigal Reserve. You’ve got a good chance of seeing sugar gliders, wallabies and echidnas on the way.
There are also several walking trails in the Cumberland State Forest, although the main attraction here is the Treetops Adventure Park. This West Pennant Hills attraction offers ropes courses suitable for both children and adults. The adult courses are, naturally, higher and more testing.
Nearby accommodation includes the affordable Ibis Thornleigh and the Ingenia Holidays Sydney Hills holiday park.
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