Chipping Norton sits in a secluded pocket of land bordered by a natural bend in the Georges River, within the City of Liverpool. Surrounded by natural beauty on the traditional land of the Dharawal and Dharug people, today it’s a popular fishing spot, picnic destination, and a destination for water activities, perfect for a family day out.
Begin your day with a coffee and delicious Lebanese breakfast or acai at the trendy and colourful Sydney Manoosh. Known for their big servings, soft dough, and delectable desserts, this Lebanese eatery has earnt a large following who flock here for a great feed. We were blown away by just how fresh their manoosh is, and how colourful their mega plates of meats, vegetables, and traditional breads are.
Next, visit The Homestead Park recreational area. Enter Homestead Avenue from Ascot Drive, and find a park along this old driveway. The park itself is large, with kilometres of walking track following the bend in the river, popular with runners, cyclists, and daily walkers. This spot is the best place to start your adventure.
The Homestead Park derives its name from the heritage residence built in 1893 that remains on this site. It was the home of politician and racehorse breeder William Alexander Long and is a fine example of the Victorian Italianate architectural style. Surrounded by a tidy white fence, many beautiful trees, an old windmill and water tank, The Homestead is an impressive preservation of a bygone era. The Home sits overlooking the river, and although throughout its history it served as a restaurant and entertainment venue, it is now a private property awaiting its next iteration. The Homestead is best viewed from the walking track.
This park is also a great place for fishing, with several riverbank beaches and boat ramps. Grand Flaneur Beach is right next to The Homestead and was named after the winner of the 1880s Melbourne Cup which was trained at Warwick Farm Racecourse by William Alexander Long.
Being a large park you can easily spend an afternoon here. There are several great playgrounds, outdoor gym equipment, and the ever-necessary picnic and BBQ areas. If you have a boat or jet ski, there are boat ramps to use the Chipping Norton Lake as your water sports backyard. The Chipping Norton Recreation Centre (The Lakes Boatshed) is a great venue for hire if you’re looking to host an event here in this delightful and historically significant Western Sydney park.
For a hearty meal, there are several great options around Chipping Norton. Urban Grind is a great local café with an excellent old-school lunch menu. We love their fresh homestyle pasta, melts, and deliciously indulgent French toast. It’s a great lunch spot, with great coffee.
If you’re hungry for a tasty Thai meal, you can visit the local favourite Gu Thai Cuisine. This spacious and friendly restaurant does all the classic dishes you know and love. And then for dessert, why not visit Sydney Manoosh again for a fresh acai?
Chipping Norton is a lovely neighbourhood with a welcoming community feel. Sitting next to a river that runs through much of Western Sydney, it is a great place to add to your weekend hit list.
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