Travelling along the M7 Motorway, striking art installations emerge from the landscape. Large, distinguished sculptures, a towering artwork soaring skywards, and an infantry of bronze horses that are impossible to miss. What you discover are First Nations artworks sharing deeply embedded stories, inviting you to learn, reflect and connect with local Dharug culture.

For years, the Southern Highlands village of Burradoo has flown mostly under the radar. Known for its towering tree-lined streets and grand estates established by wealthy pioneers, it has become more widely known thanks to the immensely popular Burradoo Park Farm. On the land of the Gundungurra and Dharawal people, Burradoo has become a go-to destination.

Some suburbs have a way of putting you at ease, and Belfield is one such place. It emanates a friendly, relaxed energy, one that invites you to stay awhile. Located on the traditional lands of the Dharug people, Belfield is also where you will find some of the earliest war service homes in Australia.

What better day out, than one combining good food, culture, the great outdoors and a healthy dose of exercise. For a different kind of adventure, join WEST as we put pedal to the metal and explore the ‘Emu Trail’, the 16km M12 shared user path. Integrating local Dharug First Nations culture and storytelling into the surrounding landscape, this is a day of discovery that will have your curiosity levels heightened with all there is to take in.

Surrounded by scenic beauty in the cool-climate region of the Southern Highlands, lies the historic village of Sutton Forest. Located on Gundungurra and Dharawal land, it is one of the earliest colonial settlements outside of Sydney. Located on Gundungurra and Dharawal land, it is one of the earliest colonial settlements outside of Sydney. It is also home to Hillview Estate, the former country residence of NSW Governors from 1882 to 1958, now acquired by The King’s Foundation

For the best of three worlds – shopping, eating and playing – Western Sydney’s Eastern Creek Quarter (ECQ) Outlet brings a whole new level of fun to a day out. Located at the crossroads of the M4 and M7 Motorways on Dharug land, it brings together some of the world’s most recognisable fashion names and Australian favourites, while also interweaving First Nations public art and storytelling into the retail and dining experience. Combined with a visit to WEST HQ and Coliseum Th

If ever there was a suburb known as a foodie haven, then Earlwood would be right up there. Known for its melting pot of cuisines, riverside nature trails and long-standing Greek community, Earlwood, on Dharug land, is a day made for a foodie adventure.

For a day out that feels a world away, one immersed in nature, curious discoveries and local life, Oakdale and the Burragorang State Conservation Area are the ideal destinations. Within the Wollondilly Shire and on the traditional lands of the Dharawal and Gundungurra people, the Burragorang Lookout is found here, one of the most spectacular lookout spots in New South Wales.

Turning off the Camden Bypass and following the curves of Burragorang Road, you’ll soon arrive in the cosy village of The Oaks. Coined by English botanist George Caley for the she-oaks in the area, it is one of the oldest settled areas in the Macarthur region, established in the 1820s. Located on the traditional lands of the Dharawal and Gundungurra people, The Oaks is a suburb where you will find heritage and country charm in abundance.

Mount Pritchard, on the traditional lands of the Cabrogal of the Darug Nation, is a leafy suburb where community is king. Local businesses, parks and great food bring people together, alongside Mounties, a much-loved local institution.

On the traditional lands of the Dharug people, The Ponds is a suburb shaped by sustainability, community and connection to art and the natural environment. Making it an oasis to explore.

There are moments of magnitude that mark the beginning of something new. Not simply a launch, but the gathering of people, ideas, stories and communities, connected by a shared belief in discovery and connection. On Tuesday 26th May, inside the historic surroundings of NSW Parliament, The WEST Journal proudly launched The WEST Journal App - a global discovery platform built with purpose, designed to transform the way people explore the world around them.

At its core, The WEST Journal App makes discovery easier, more human, and more deeply connected to Country and to place. Rather than searching across multiple platforms, WEST centralises everything into a single, intuitive space. It’s where you can find, save, plan and share everything you see and love - turning inspiration into real-life plans.

Answering the question, “What are you doing this weekend?”, has always been at the core of the WEST ethos. Highlighting standout places to travel, memorable food experiences, and culture to immerse yourself in. Located on Dharug Nura, Australia’s Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, means that the simple question, “What are you doing this weekend?”, now unlocks a world of exciting possibilities.

Carlingford is a suburb full of delight and surprises, from a park with roaring animal sculptures, to bushland walking trails and a wide variety of international cuisine.

Tallawong is a relatively new suburb, located on the traditional lands of the Dharug people, formed from parts of Schofields and Rouse Hill in 2020. Transformed into a high-density residential hub centred around Tallawong Metro and Tallawong Village, it offers a lively village atmosphere, alongside moments of calm while visiting the serene Buddhist temple along First Ponds Creek.

Rosehill is best known for the iconic Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, a cornerstone of Australian horse racing since 1885. Home to the world-famous Golden Slipper, Phar Lap’s first win in 1929, and even NSW’s first powered flights by Harry Houdini in 1910, the suburb is steeped in history. Beyond the track, on the traditional lands of the Dharug people, Rosehill also features Elizabeth Farm, Australia’s oldest surviving European homestead, offering a rich glimpse into the nation

Abbotsbury, on the traditional lands of the Cabrogal of the Dharug Nation, is a standout destination for the nature and outdoor enthusiast. Largely encompassing the Western Sydney Parklands, there’s no shortage of ways to explore, unwind, and live it up with outdoor activities.

Founder of The Modern Desi Co, Bhavna Kalra Shivalkar, knows a thing or two about Indian cuisine – including very good butter chicken. A Mumbai-born, Sydney-based food entrepreneur with a passion for cultural immersion, she set out in The Hills Shire, on Dharug land, to uncover three of her favourite butter chicken dishes and share her insider picks with you.

Standing proudly at the interchange of the newly opened Warami Drive / M12 Motorway, is a striking piece of architecture, and a powerful Welcome to Country, The Great Emu in the Sky. Soaring 30 metres high, it is a sculpture sharing the Dharug story of the Great Emu constellation, of how Mariong, the Emu and Mother Spirit, became the Milky Way.