Bonnyrigg is a very colourful and culturally harmonious suburb within Fairfield City Council. On the traditional land of the Dharug people, it is filled with diverse people from many different cultures, bringing with them their own beliefs. Within the borders of Bonnyrigg, you will spot many places of worship for a variety of different religions scattered in and among the community. A visit to Bonnyrigg is a surprising mix of cultures, history, and impressive design.
Start your day with a coffee and delicious cake, pastry or donut at Franky & Co in Bonnyrigg Plaza. This great little café is proud of their award-winning donuts, and their tarts, slices, pies, and cannoli – the glass cabinet is simply bursting with tasty treats. You’ll also find Dolci Cakes which is the home of incredibly fluffy sponge cakes, profiteroles, and impressive celebration cakes.
Within the locality, there are flourishing Southeast Asian, Chinese, and Iraqi communities, bringing with them their religions and beliefs. Recognising this beautiful multiculturalism, Fairfield City Council created The Spirit of Bonnyrigg Walk which takes you to nine different locations of culture.
Beginning at Bibbys Place, which is just across from Bonnyrigg Plaza, the ‘All The World in one Place’ public art project captures the idea of many of the world’s cultures sitting side by side in this small Western Sydney suburb. Inside Bibbys Place along, you’ll find four places of worship sitting side by side as friendly, happy next-door-neighbours.
The Bonnyrigg Mosque is a large place of worship and daily prayer for the Islamic community – majestic up close, and also from afar as the minaret tower can be seen from many parts across the suburb of Bonnyrigg. Next door is the Vietnamese Community & Cultural Centre which is a southeast Asian-style building hosting cultural activities from the Vietnamese community. In Bibbys Place you’ll also find Gracepoint Presbyterian Church which is a unique hexagonal building and hosts a multicultural and multigenerational church community incorporating Eastern and Western cultures, reflective of the unique diversity of people in Western Sydney.
In Bonnyrigg there are also several Buddhist temples, many of which are extremely colourful and intricate in design. Mingyue Lay Buddhist Temple is one of the largest Chinese Buddhist temples in the Southern Hemisphere and is an example of 12th century Chinese design of the Buddhist Mahayana tradition. The main shrine houses thirty-seven bronze Buddha statues from Thailand. Visitors are welcome to walk around the site and learn about Buddhist culture and community in Australia.
Nearby, Vat Khemarangsaram is an opulent Cambodian Buddhist Temple which is painted gold, with many beautiful lion statues and other fine details – it also has an impressive golden gate as the entrance. And on Smithfield Road, you’ll spot the stunning Wat Phrayortkeo Dhammayanaram Lao Buddhist Temple, which is again another style of opulent design, with plenty of colour.
Another stop along The Spirit of Bonnyrigg Walk is Bonnyrigg Town Centre Park. Here you’ll find the Elders Garden and the Bush Tucker path which highlight the indigenous heritage of the area and provide information on how the land was used by indigenous people. The park also has a great playground, skatepark, basketball court and BMX track, popular among the local community for recreation.
After explore Bonnyrigg’s cultural diversity, you’ll be ready to enjoy a meal. Iron Chef Bonnyrigg is a popular and elevated Chinese Seafood Restaurant with a great Yum Cha and a la carte menu. Inside Bonnyrigg Plaza there’s also Spring Sushi, a classic sushi train restaurant, which is always an exciting way to eat quality Japanese seafood and sushi. You’ll also find Mama’s Steakhouse, Enzo’s Cucina, and Golden Rice Thai & Laos Cuisine.
With so much to explore and learn, Bonnyrigg is a terrific example of Western Sydney as a multicultural melting pot. Explore significant places of worship, nature, and great dining all within this bustling neighbourhood many people call home.
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