There is a rich source of attractions nearby to Blacktown Markets, so why not get amongst it and make a day of it!
The Blacktown Drive-in Theatre
(Blacktown Markets is located in the grounds of the Blacktown Drive-in Theatre)
Greater Union Blacktown Drive In is Sydney's only remaining Drive In Cinema. With 2 screens featuring 35mm and 70mm projection, as well as Dolby Stereo Sound, you can re-live some old school charm whilst watching the latest releases!
Royal Cricketers Arms Hotel
(Located directly next to Blacktown Markets)
The Cricketers Arms Hotel is located on the corner of Reservoir Road and Cricketers Arms Road, Prospect, N.S.W. It is a brick rendered, two-storey building with accommodation in the roof space.
Originally, the hotel was named the Royal Cricketers Arms Hotel and was built between 1876 and 1881. James Manning was issued with the first Publican's Licence in 1881, showing that the hotel may have operated without a licence for a short time.
Manning is thought to have operated a cricket pitch and racetrack on the property. The hotel was a popular place during the 1880's, with many of the workers employed for the construction of the nearby Prospect Reservoir using its services.
Manning subdivided and sold much of the land around the hotel in 1884. He then fell into serious debt around the time of the 1889-90 recession. Due to his financial difficulties, Manning lost ownership of the hotel.
Sarah Roche held the licence for the Royal Cricketers Arms Hotel from 1895 to 1901. The licence was held by a variety of people until 1911, when the licence appears to have lapsed.
In 1913, the hotel on 3 acres (2,000 m2) of land was sold to Edward Cooney. His daughters operated a tearoom and local store in the hotel for travelers on the Western Road. The hotel was extended at this time to include a rear verandah, rear timber laundry building and a farm shed.
From 1937 until 1942, the property was resold many times before being used for farming by Ivan Posa until 1963. The Posa family probably used the hotel as their residence during this period.
In 1963, the property was sold again and used as a Drive-In Theatre and the hotel was used as a caretaker's residence. In 1989, the Department of Planning placed a Permanent Conservation Order on the property. The hotel was abandoned and suffered much vandalism until 1992 when restoration work began on the building. James Kellie proposed to reopen it in the style of an 'Old English Pub' in 1993, so the Cricketers Arms Hotel currently operates as a hotel once again.
Wet n Wild Sydney
(To be located 1km from Blacktown Markets)
Wet ‘n’ Wild Sydney is NSW first world class water theme park, a $80 million attraction, filling an identified gap in NSW tourism offering • Water theme parks are the fastest growing segment of the international theme park market, with proven wide appeal for children, families, teenagers and tourists • Located on an appropriately zoned, 25 hectare site at Reservoir Road, Prospect in Western Sydney, the site is leased from the NSW Government and is well served by the M4 and M7 motorways • Wet ‘n’ Wild Sydney will feature world class, state of the art, attractions, rides and amenities catering for all tastes and age groups • Expected attendance 927,000 in first eight months of operation • Approximately 1.2 million residents live within a 20 kilometre radius of the site, and 3.3 million live within a 40 kilometre radius • Likely attractions include: • ‘Boomerang Bay’ Surf Wave Pool • Lazy/Adventure River • Extreme River • Tots Island Slides Pool • Tots Island Giant Spray Pad • Giant Rainfortress Waterplay • Double Python / Family Raft Ride • Whizzard Mat Racer (6 Lanes) • Duelling Master Blaster • River Grotto/Waterfalls • Double Aqualoop, Freeloop and Freefall Complex • Double Flowrider • Innertube Slides (6 Flumes) • Superbowl/Rattler/ High-Speed Drop/Constrictor • Family Boomerango and Abyss • Zip Line • Sky Coaster • Separate themed areas for families, young children and teenagers • Preparation for Lodgement of Development Application under Section 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act to commence immediately • Subject to planning approval and a suitable lead-time, the park is planned to open in late 2012
Featherdale Wildlife Park
(Located 10km from Blacktown Markets)
Established on 7 acres of land originally purchased by Charles and Marjorie Wigg in 1953, Featherdale has evolved from a poultry farm into one of the best privately own wildlife parks in Australia.
The Wigg’s son-in-law, Bruce Kubbere studied Australian fauna from early childhood and with his vision and encouragement, Featherdale opened to the public as a wildlife park in 1972.
In the early years Bruce, and his wife Margaret, operated a plant nursery on conjunction with the Wildlife Park. Beautiful Australian native trees and plants now line the walkways and landscape the enclosures as a legacy of the park’s history.
Featherdale’s future was threatened in 1975 with plans to use the property for a housing commission development. The then Premier, Sir Robert Askin was presented with thousands of signed petitions, most of which were signed behalf of local residents who stressed “the importance of Featherdale Wildlife Park” to district school children. Fortunately the government rescinded its original decision and the park was saved.
In December 1996, Featherdale was purchased by Amalgamated Holdings Limited and is now an integral part of Amalgamated Pty Ltd. In 1998 Featherdale carried out a number of upgrades including new entrance, amenities with disabled facilities and displays that closely depict the animals natural habitats to heighten the sense of arrival to one of Greater Western Side’s major tourist attractions.
Featherdale has a commitment to animal and environmental education. The Wildlife Education Program is well established and very successful. The “Learning Burrow” is an open-air amphitheatre with seating for up to 90 students. The “Wildlife Wanderer” is Featherdale’s mobile education program. Lessons are interactive experiences that reflect the school curriculum.
Through innovation Featherdale has developed into one of Australia’s finest tourist attractions in Greater Western Sydney and has played an important part in the growth of tourism, not only in Greater Western Sydney, but the whole of New South Wales.
Eastern Creek Raceway
(Located 11km from Blacktown Markets)
Eastern Creek Raceway is located 40 km west of Sydneys CBD and has been home to many events including the Grand Prix, V8 Supercar Championships and the 500cc GP series. Over the years Eastern Creek Raceway has also been the venue for some of the biggest rock concerts and festivals including Guns n Roses, Bon Jovi, Perl Jam the Alternative Nation Festival, Colossus 2 and more recently Soundwave in 2009 and 2010. Eastern Creek Raceway also offers the public a chance to learn how to drive like the professionals check out their site for more information.
Western Sydney Parklands
(Located 13km from Blacktown Markets)
Set in the heart of Western Sydney, The Western Sydney Parklands contain world class sporting facilities, popular picnic areas, a full length cycle/walking track and native bushland. Covering 5,280 hectares, the Parklands stretch 27 kilometres from Quakers Hill to Leppington and are twenty five times the size of Centennial Park.
The Western Sydney Parklands are part of the NSW Government's new vision for contemporary, urban living in Western Sydney and are the perfect place to spend the day with family and friends - all without leaving your own backyard.
The NSW Government has established the Western Sydney Parklands Trust to be responsible for managing and developing the Parklands.
